Adie & Lovekin 1863-1889

Adie & Lovekin Limited 1889-1925?

1884 – 1890 - In 1884 the first property in the block, known as 43 Vittoria Street, had been partially let. It was occupied by Edward and Thomas Smith & Co. and Henry and William Haddleton. Then by 1888 Adie and Lovekin Silversmiths had let another part of the building and were located at 43 Vittoria Street. 43 Vittoria Street was split, as the Rate Assessment Books specified, into ‘Offices, Warehouses, Shopping and Premises’ at first and second floor levels and then ‘Offices and Premises’ on the ground floor and this is the only part of the block that we can truly say was let into fully flatted units. It had the narrowest of the rear workshop ‘shopping’ ranges. Source: Nexus Report Adie and Lovekin Ltd made unique silver items during the late Victorian and Edwardian Art Nouveau era. Items included button hooks, pin cushions their speciality being animal shaped novelty pin cushions in the form of pigs, swans, elephants and even camels. They also made babies rattles, bookmarks, nurses’ buckles and other novelty silver items.

1929 Listed Exhibitor. Manufacturers of Silver Rattles, Silver and Enamel Brooches, Scotch Pebble Brooches, Butter Knives, Forks and Spoons, Serviette Rings, Peppers and Salts, Shingle Sets, Manicure Sets and various Silver Novelties. Birmingham Jewellers' and Silversmiths' Association Member. (Stand Nos. J.43 and J.54)

Source: Grace’s Guide to British Industrial History© 2016 by Grace's Guide Ltd

The Company was made up of James Adie (1840-1913) and Alfred Lovekin (1844-1912) who started their business

c1863 (as per Kelly’s 1888 Directory) in Birmingham

Adie & Lovekin appear to have first traded from 157 Hockley Hill. In 1866 they were advertising for an Engraver, used to the Silver Brooch Trade.

Birmingham Daily Gazette 7 Feb 1866

1866 Morris’ Commercial Directory

We can get an impression of the Hockley Hill premises from the ‘To be Let’ advertisement in the Birmingham Journal 29

August 1857

‘…extensive SHOPPING’

Morris’ 1866 Commercial Directory had listed

them as ‘Adie and Lorekin’. Obviously a printing

error.

Alfred Lovekin had taken some silver for melting to the premises of Mr. Bassett, metal dealer, James Street. Mr. Bassett allowed one of his employees, John Walton, to melt silver for silversmiths. It appears John Walton was not returning all the melted silver.

Birmingham Daily Post 17 February 1871

John Walton, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour.

In November 1871, Infringement of a Patent - James Manton paid a fine of £5 for an infringement of a patent registered by Adie & Lovekin. The reports inform us that Adie & Lovekin registered their ‘Ribbon Pattern Border’ in April 1870.

Birmingham Daily Mail 8 November 1871

Birmingham Daily Post 2 November 1871

The National Archives has a registered design (No. 240805) for Adie & Lovekin, 157 Hockley Hill, for a Brooch, dated 22 April 1870. (Reference BT 43/27/240805) This is most likely the item referred to in the newspaper report above.

Mr. J. Manton, silversmith, Great Hampton Street. Infringement of a

patent registered by Adie & Lovekin, silversmiths, Hockley Hill.

1872 Kelly’s Directory

Birmingham Daily Post 17 July 1873

1873 White’s Directory – Listed under Silversmiths

By 1876 Adie & Lovekin are in Regent Street, as silversmiths and jewellers

1876 Kelly’s Directory

Source: www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/Makers/Birmingham

WAGES DISPUTE. Action brought against Adie and Lovekin, jewellers, of Regent Street

Birmingham Daily Post 13 December 1879

Kelly’s Directory 1880

Alfred Blandy, was a journeyman

jeweller, who was employed as a

pieceworker. Adie & Lovekin

proposed a reduction of prices, due to

the fluctuations in trade, and at the

end of the month paid for the

piecework according to how the

company had fared. The judge found

for the plaintiff as it wasn’t proved

that a contract existed where the

price for work was fixed after the

work was completed.

Adie & Lovekin – 1879-1888 Registered

May 1879

The Birmingham Daily Post 24 July 1880 reported:

‘Action for Assault: Levetus v. Adie’.

This concerned an assault upon Hymen Levetus by Alfred Lovekin, of Adie & Lovekin. Alfred Adie had admitted the

assault but denied Hymen Levetus had suffered any damage and therefore Adie had paid £10 10s to the Court.

“The business premises of both

parties were not far from each

other.”

From the Nexus Report we know

the following regarding Levetus

Brothers.

“They were first recorded at

Canada Works on 24th March 1880

(BT 43/46/347908)……. Apply after

12, Canada Works Vittoria Street”.

According to Kelly’s 1880 Directory,

Adie & Lovekin, are in Regent

Street.

It seems that Levetus was perhaps

slightly underhand in employing one

of Adie & Lovekin’s employees, so he

might learn the ‘tricks of the trade.’

‘Guilty of most untradesmanlike

conduct in seducing from Mr.

Lovekin’s employment skilled

servants, to communicate to him the

trade secrets, skill and experience,

which had taken Mr. Lovekin many

years to acquire.”

The Case was continued and the conclusion reported 26 July 1880 in The Birmingham Post.

The National Archives has a registered design for a Brooch (No. 408219) for James Adie & Alfred Lovekin at 2 ½ Regent

Street dated 12 December 1883. (Reference BT 44/5/408219.)

Levetus even had his premises ‘fitted up like the

defendant’s.” These would be the newly occupied

premises owned by W.G. Court.

The amount paid into Court by Adie, was considered by

the Jury as ample compensation for damages for the

assault.

The first mention I have found of Adie & Lovekin at 43 Vittoria Street is in the Kelly’s Directory for 1884.

Kelly’s Directory 1884 – 43 Vittoria Street

But also in Kelly’s Directory for 1884, Adie & Lovekin, Silversmiths, are at 1 Regent Street. So the possibility is they were operating simultaneously from Vittoria Street (albeit for a short time) and Regent Street.

Kelly’s Directory 1884 “Then by 1888 Adie and Lovekin Silversmiths had let another part of the building and were located at 43 Vittoria Street.” – Source: Nexus Report. Vittoria Street in the 1888 Kelly’s Directory has the following:

No mention of 43 Vittoria Street being occupied. John Dillon, 24, hawker, charged with stealing scrap iron from Messrs. Adie and Lovekin, Vittoria Street.

Birmingham Daily Post 11 September 1885

John Dillon was sentenced to 6 calendar months with hard labour and 1 year’s Police Supervision.

Prior to his October 1885 conviction, John Dillon’s prison record records crimes committed 11 October 1883, 31st March 1884, 11 October 1884 and 11th May 1885.

The October 1884 conviction was reported as below. “Theft from a Void House.”

Birmingham Daily Post 13 October 1884

Birmingham Daily Post 7 April 1887

Adie and Lovekin advertised in ‘The Graphic’ their ‘Patent Coin and Medal Holder’. Unfortunately, no address is

given.

The Graphic 30 July 1887

Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in

1887 saw a new Jubilee Coin issued.

Adie & Lovekin’s Patent Coin and

Medal Holder was advertised as a way

to wear the coin as a brooch.

Adie & Lovekin placed an advert

regarding the use of ‘Jubilee’ as

a registered trade mark.

Perhaps in anticipation of them

advertising their ‘Patent Coin

and Medal Holder’ for use with

the new Jubilee coins.

Established 1863

Kelly’s 1888 Directory

New Local Companies launched 1889 saw Adie & Lovekin become Adie & Lovekin Limited

Birmingham Daily Post 20 April 1889

Source: www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/Makers/Birmingham

New patent, registered 5 December 1889 for a curling iron

Birmingham Daily Post 19 December 1890

Kelly’s Directory 1892

Source: www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/Makers/Birmingham

Adie & Lovekin Ltd 1889-1891

Adie & Lovekin Ltd 1892

Birmingham Daily Post 14 February 1893

Kelly’s Directory 1896

Fire on the premises of Messrs. Adie and Lovekin,

manufacturing jewellers, Regent Street. The second storey of

a three-storey building, used as a carpenter’s shop, was on

fire.

Source: Lansdowne Collectibles

Source: www.acsilver.co.uk

Adie & Lovekin Limited, 1898

Sterling Silver Belt Buckle

Sterling Silver Pin Cushion modelled in the form of a

frog.

Maker: Adie & Lovekin Ltd

Origin: Birmingham, England Date: 1907

SILVERSMITHS (MANUFACTURING). BIRMINGHAM. ADIE & LOVEKIN Lim., Regent St. and Frederick St. CRANE'S DIRECTORY AND BUYERS' • GUIDE, 1900.

GOLDSMITHS. BIRMINGHAM. ADIE & LOVEKIN Lim., Regent st. & Frederick st. Mnfrs. of 9-Carat Hall Marked Gold Suites, Brooches, Bracelets, Earrings, Pendants, and all kinds of Silver Jewellery, Links, &c. CRANE'S DIRECTORY AND BUYERS' • GUIDE, 1900. Kelly’s 1903 Directory (and the above Crane’s Directory) for Adie & Lovekin Ltd shows they are operating from Frederick Street as well as continuing at Regent Street.

Kelly’s Directory 1903

The 1901 Birmingham Rate Books show Adie & Lovekin as the occupier (as well as others) and owners of 3 Regent Street (N.B. William George Court is listed as the owner at 1 Regent Street).

Gloucestershire Echo 8 July 1903

‘The charge against Alfred Lovekin, of Copt

Heath, Solihull, was also dismissed on similar

grounds.’

‘Motorists charged with furious riding’

James Adie (1840-1913) James Adie was born 1840, Birmingham, the son of William Adie, button maker, and Harriet Adie (nee Bromley). James Adie was recorded as a Silversmith in the 1861 census, living 104 Bath Row. He is with his mother, Harriet, a widow, and his siblings. On 30 May 1867, James Adie married Emily Woodhouse at St. Bartholomew, Edgbaston. Emily was the daughter of John Woodhouse, a builder. On the 1871 census, Albert Road, Handsworth, James Adie’s occupation is ‘Silversmith employing 10 men, 6 girls and 8 boys.’ Interestingly, living next door to James Adie, is Alfred Lovekin and his wife Lucy Susan Lovekin. Alfred’s occupation is ‘Silversmith, Master.’

1871 census

On the 1881 census, James Adie’s occupation is ‘Silversmith 230 employees.’ (Is the number of employees correct? Could it be a mistake by the enumerator?)

On the 1891 census, James Adie’s occupation is ‘Manufacturing silversmith & jeweler.’ By 1901, the census lists his occupation as ‘Retired from Business. (Silversmith).’ And by the time of the 1911 census his occupation is ‘Retired from active business.’

Walsall Advertiser 28 June 1913

‘formerly of the firm of Adie and

Lovekin, silversmiths..’ This suggests

that he was no longer connected to

the company.

After the deaths of James Adie (1913) and Alfred Lovekin (1911), the business continued under the same name up to approximately 1925.

Kelly’s Directory 1921

One of James and Emily Adie’s children, Percy James Adie (1877- 1949 ) and his wife were passenger on the ‘Empress of Ireland’ which left Quebec 28 May 1914 bound for Liverpool. The ship had collided in the mouth of St. Lawrence with the ‘collier Storstad’ and sank rapidly after approximately 15 minutes into the start of its voyage. Fortunately they were among the survivors

Not long after their ordeal, they were photographed whilst attending ‘Castle Bromwich Flying Meeting’.

Birmingham Daily Mail 22 June 1914

Alfred Lovekin (1844-1911) Alfred Lovekin was born 1844, Birmingham, the son of Joseph Lovekin, boat builder, and Elizabeth Lovekin (nee Edwards). Alfred Lovekin’s first marriage was to Lucy Susan Tickell in 1868 Birmingham. On the 1881 census, Alfred Lovekin’s occupation is ‘Silversmith.’ On the 1891 census, Alfred Lovekin’s occupation is ‘Silversmith – Gold.’ On the 1901 census, Alfred Lovekin’s occupation is ‘Silversmith manufacturer.’ And by the 1911 census, occupation is ‘Silversmith.’