Birdsall and Son
From GracesGuide
of Wood Street, Northampton. London Office: 168 Regent Street.
Birdsall and Son, of Northampton, was one of the main bookbinding firms in Great Britain from the mid-nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century.
- 1792 William Birdsall (c. 1750-1826) bought the bookselling and bookbinding business of John Lacy and Son in Northampton. The business also included a stationery section, a post office and a circulating library.
- William Birdsall was followed in the business by his sons, Robert and James, and later by James's widow, Ann, who sold the business in 1844 to William's great-nephew, Anthony Birdsall the elder (1819-1893).
- The bookbinding side was expanded during this period, becoming the firm's main activity. Anthony Birdsall was succeeded by his son, Richard (1842-1909), under whose aegis the premises were twice enlarged and reorganised, in 1882 and 1888.
- Of Richard Birdsall's three sons, it was Anthony Birdsall the younger (1877-1972) who was chiefly responsible for maintaining the family tradition of fine binding, especially following the early death of Herbert Birdsall in 1924.
- 1922 Listed Exhibitor. Manufacturers of Leather Wallets, Pocket Books, Albums, Blotters, Stationery Cases, Handbags, Photograph Frames, Account Books. Lithographic Printers. Bookbinders. (Stand No. J.95)
- 1961 The company ceased trading.
[edit] Sources of Information
- [1] Archives Network Wales
- 1922 British Industries Fair Page 8
