R. A. Rooney and Sons
of 166-168 Bishopsgate, London, EC2. (1922)
of Higham Hill Road, Walthamstow, London, E17. Telephone: Larkswood 1493. Cables: "Bristles, London." (1947)
- "When only the best will do it's a Rooney's brush for you."
The world's oldest maker of premium quality shaving brushes have enjoyed over 200 years in the business of offering high quality niche shaving products to the discerning gentleman both in the UK and Overseas and, prior to that, for a century or more in Galway, Ireland
1796 Mr Rooney opened a branch at 27-28 Bishopsgate. This branch was ultimately to be extended and became the main factory and Head Office. The Company's trade mark is the Coat Of Arms of the City of London.
1800s Brush making over the early part of the Company's history changed very little. Manufacturing, however, became more mechanised in the middle of the century, first by using water power at the sawmills in Brownville, Ireland and then by using steam power at the London factory.
1886, they had a disastrous fire at their Bishopsgate premises when most of their really old records were destroyed, so the exact date of the formation of the Company cannot be positively established.
1922 Listed Exhibitor. Manufacturers of Hair, Cloth and Nail Brushes in all woods; Painting Brushes, Artists' Brushes, Household, Horse and Dog Brushes; Brooms of every description. (Stand No. A.34) [1]
1927 The freehold premises in Bishopsgate were sold and all manufacturing was transferred to Walthamstow, where the Company continues today.
1937 Brush manufacturers. "Raras" Brushes. "Utility" Brushes. [2]
1947 Listed Exhibitor. Manufacturers of Teeth, Hair, Clothes, Nail, Bath, Shaving Brushes. Speciality Hand Drawn and finest quality Toilet Brushes made of selected Bristles; also Manufacturers of Paint and Household Brushware. (Olympia, Ground Floor, Stand No. A.1293) [3]
Many of their bristle buyers and bristle dressers have been with them for over 50 years.
See Also
- [1] History of Rooneys