Thomas Johnson I
(1850-1898)
Thomas Johnson was a well-known London-based silversmith working from 10 Dyers Building in Holborn, London. He registered his first mark in January in 1850 and by 1852 he was listed as a manufacturing silversmith of every description of dressing case fittings and silver flasks. He subsequently moved to 32, John Street, Bedford Row, WC. Where in 1860 he is listed as a manufacturing silversmith and manufacturer of every description of dressing case and travelling bag fittings, card cases, snuff and fuzee boxes, vinaigrettes and first-class spring-smelling bottles, and silver flasks.
Close up of the Hallmarks from Thomas Johnson on a sterling silver cap and glass flask
available at Jacksons Antique
Johnson’s listing for 1861 was expanded to include railway lanterns and every description of silver small work. The style of the firm was changed in circa 1875 to Thomas Johnson & Sons and again in circa 1878 to Johnson, Sons & Edmonds. They were listed from 1879 to 1898 as gold and silversmiths and manufacturers of dressing cases, travelling bag fittings, card cases, snuff boxes, chatelaines, belts, buckles, glass and silver flasks, railway lanterns and every description of gold, silver, and other pencil cases and gold and silver mounters and glass cutters.The partners at this time were Thomas Johnson, Frederick Edmonds, Thomas George Johnson, and Edward James Winter Johnson. Thomas George Johnson retired on 1st January 1883, Thomas Johnson on 25th March 1885, and E.J. W. Johnson on 5th October 1891. Thereafter the business continued under the same style first by Frederick Edmonds until his death on 5th February 1898 and then by his widow, Mary Harris Edmonds. Mary Edmonds transferred to the business on the 27 August 1898 to Sampson Mordan & Co Ltd after which Johnson, Sons & Edmonds were listed for a short time as gold and silver pencil makers.