Fattorini and Sons
of Bradford and later of Birmingham
Fattorini and Sons was a jewellery business established by a family of Italian immigrants who arrived in the British city of Leeds, in Yorkshire, England in the early 19th century. Antonio Fattorini opened a shop in Harrogate to take advantage of seasonal trade in Harrogate in 1831.
Later Antonio moved to Bradford, taking a large building at 28 Kirkgate trading under the style Fattorini & Sons.
During and slightly beyond Antonio's lifetime, the activity was advertised as "Fattorini & Sons, goldsmiths, Skipton, Harrogate and Bradford".
1848 Opening of a branch in Skipton by Innocent Fattorini (1830-74), continuing the activity of his father-in-law Baldassarre Porri.
The Harrogate branch was later managed by Antonio Fattorini (1837-1913) and Bradford by John Fattorini (1832-1909) and Edward Fattorini (1844-1913).
1859 Partnership change. '...the Partnership heretofore subsisting between us the undersigned, Maria Fattorini, Innocent Fattorini, and John Fattorini, carrying on business at Bradford and Harrogate, both in the county of York, as Watchmakers and Jewellers, under the style or firm of Fattorini and Sons, has this day been dissolved by mutual consent, so far as regards the said Innocent Fattorini...'[1]
1865 Partnership dissolved. '...the Partnership heretofore subsisting between us the undersigned, Maria Fattorini and John Fattorini, at Harrogate; in the county of York, as Watchmakers, Jewellers, and Silversmiths, under the style or firm Fattorini and Sons, was this day dissolved by mutual consent; and that the said business will in future be carried on by the aforesaid Maria Fattorini and Antonio Fattorini...[2]
1871 Partnership dissolved. '...the Partnership heretofore subsisting between us the undersigned, Maria Fattorini and John Fattorini, both of Bradford, in the county of York, Jewellers, Silversmiths, and Watchmaker, carrying on business at Bradford, aforesaid, under the style or firm of Fattorini and Sons was dissolved by mutual consent, on and from the 2nd day of January, 1871; and that all debts due to or from the said firm will be received and paid by the said John Fattorini, by whom the said business will in future be carried on...'[3]
1874 Innocent Fattorini died young and the business was continued by his widow until his son Thomas Fattorini (1864-1934) decided to use his own name changing the style of the business to Thomas Fattorini (founded 1827)
1876 Partnership change. '... the Partnership heretofore subsisting between the undersigned, John Fattorini, Maria Fattorini, and Edward Fattorini, as Watch Makers and Jewellers, in Cheapside and Kirkgate, in Bradford, in the county of York, under the style or firm of Fattorini and Sons, has this day been dissolved, by mutual consent, so far as regards the said Maria Fattorini. All debts due to or owing by the said late firm will be received and paid by the said John Fattorini and Edward Fattorini, by. whom the business will in future be carried on...'[4]
1903 Thomas Fattorini (of the Skipton stem) opened a branch in his name at Bolton, Lancs.
1909 The Bradford stem continued its retail jewellery activity designing articles for sale over the counter or to special orders. The five partners (all surnamed Fattorini) created Fattorini & Sons Ltd.
1913 The Harrogate shop, after the death of Antonio (II), was managed by his sister (Mrs Maria Tindall), her son John Tindall, her nephew Edward H. Tindall and later by her great-grandchildren Charles and Anthony Tindall.
1915 Fattorini & Sons acquired a firm active in Birmingham, the Joseph Moore medal works at 13 Pitsford St, changing the business into Joseph Moore Ltd.
1919 The Bolton branch was transformed into a limited company under the name Thomas Fattorini (Lancashire) Ltd. Meantime the original Skipton shop became Thomas Fattorini (Skipton) Ltd.
1919 Thomas Fattorini (Birmingham) Ltd was established at Trafalgar Works, 5 Hockley St., Birmingham to serve the business for medals and trophies of Skipton jewellery shops.
1928 the name of the Birmingham business was changed to Thomas Fattorini Ltd (Regent Street Works, Birmingham).
After the death of Thomas Fattorini the Bolton business was continued by his son Wilfred.
1954 Fattorini & Sons Ltd, Bradford Works, 36 Barr St, Birmingham.[5] Is this formerly Joseph Moore?
c.1960 the Bolton business was sold to the United Drapery Group
1973 Fattorini and Sons, of Bradford Works, Barr Street. Birmingham.[6]
1975 the Bolton business ceased to exist under the name of Fattorini.
1970s the Fattorini family left the firm. In 1978 the old Joseph Moore business was bought by Alan Jones who managed the firm with his wife, maintaining the Fattorini style company name and address, and concentrating on high level production.
1984 the Birmingham business Fattorini and Sons was sold to Thomas Fattorini Ltd., returning again into the hands of another stem of Fattorini family.
The two companies had been friendly rivals for many years, both businesses being owned and managed by descendants of Antonio Fattorini. Thomas Fattorini is still trading, and is located in the Birmingham Jewellery quarter, where it is managed by the 6th generation of the Fattorini family. The Harrogate jewellery shop is owned and run by the Tindalls, descendants via the female line - see Maria Fattorini who married John Tindall.
The family later set up the Empire Stores
Another Fattorini firm was active in Birmingham in the production of medal and similar items. This was the Frank Fattorini & Son Ltd, 30 Spencer St., Birmingham.
It was incorporated in 1945 and was active in the period 1940-1970. It was managed by Francis (Frank) Fattorini, grandson of another of the sons (Frank) of the founder of the dynasty. The firm ceased production c. 1971 when the business was acquired by the Fattorini Bradford stem.
In 2008 Thomas Fattorini Ltd was granted a Royal Warrant.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ The London Gazette Publication date:30 December 1859 Issue:22341 Page:4899
- ↑ The London Gazette Publication date:20 October 1865 Issue:23027 Page:4953
- ↑ The London Gazette Publication date:7 March 1871 Issue:23713 Page:1296
- ↑ The London Gazette Publication date:1 September 1876 Issue:24359 Page:4840
- ↑ Evening Despatch - Thursday 05 August 1954
- ↑ Birmingham Daily Post - Monday 16 July 1973