G. Betjemann and Sons

of 36-44 Pentonville Road, London, N. (1922)

Telephone: 2092. Cables: Betjemann, London (1929)

George Betjemann began his own business at 6 Upper Ashby Street, Clerkenwell, London.

1855 His two sons, George William and John, having completed their apprenticeships, George expanded to 7 Upper Ashby Street shortly after.

1859 George moved into 36 Pentonville Road, London (their new family home and business residence) where he continued his business, now called George Betjemann & Sons, alongside his two sons.

1858-71 Several patents issued including -

• 1858 Patent. '1862. And to George Betjemann, George William Betjemann, and John Betjemann, all of Upper Ashby-street, in the county of Middlesex, Desk and Dressing-case Makers, for the invention of "an improvement in book-slides."'

• 1862 Patent. '40. And George Betjemann, George William Betjemann, and John Betjemann, of Pentonville, in the county of Middlesex, Desk and Dressing Case Manufacturers, have given the like notice in respect of the invention of "improvements in dressing cases applicable to other cases and boxes." This included their "Automatic" opening mechanism.

• 1877 Patent. '3107. To George Betjemann, George William Betjemann, and John Betjemann, all of 36 and 38, Pentonville-road, in the county of Middlesex, Desk and Dressing Case Manufacturers, for the invention of "improvements in the construction of dressing bags, travelling bags, portmanteaus, and other similar articles.

Their work was on display at the International Exhibition of 1862, and the International Exposition of 1867 in Paris.

By 1871, they had expanded their residence to incorporate 38 Pentonville Road and were employing 119 people.

By 1875 had also incorporated 40 Pentonville Road

1881 George Betjemann was a Dressing Case Maker Employing 90 Men & 18 Boys

George William established a business partnership with John’s sons, John George Betjemann and Ernest Edward Betjemann.

1886 George died at the age of 88; George William and John ran George Betjemann & Sons in partnership until John’s death in 1893.

1893 George William established a business partnership with John’s sons, John George Betjemann and Ernest Edward Betjemann.

c1896 John George and Ernest Edward established an offshoot company called Betjemann Brothers, based at 2 Newcastle Place, Clerkenwell, London. This company ran alongside George Betjemann & Sons until they were merged in 1903, following the death of George William.

1909 Became a limited company, known as George Betjemann & Sons Ltd.

1922 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Small Cabinets, Cigar and Cigarette Boxes, Silver-mounted Onyx and other stone goods, Silver-mounted Glass and China, Tantalus Stands, Locking Bottles. (Stand No. D.24)

1929 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of Small Fitted Tables and Cabinets, Silver-mounted China, Glass, Onyx and Stone Goods, Tantalus Stands, Locking Bottles, Brush Sets, Boxes and High-class Presentation Articles in Shagreen and Ivory. (Stand No J.76)

1934 Ernest died.

1939 With Ernest’s son, John, having no interest in carrying on the family business, George Betjemann & Sons Ltd finally closed.

The firm seems to have been taken on by Puddefoot, Bowers and Simonett.

---

• Note: Sir John Betjeman (1906-1984), Poet Laureate, was the Great grandson of George Betjemann - a descendant of a family who arrived in the UK from Germany in the late 18th century. During the First World War, Sir John dropped the last 'n' from his surname.

See Also

Loading...

Sources of Information

• [1] Betjemann boxes with illustrations