Holmes and Co (Derby)
Holmes and Co, coachbuilding and harness works, of Derby
of London Road, Derby
Mr. Charles Holmes (1753-1812) was a coachmaker and harness maker in Lichfield.
1803 His son, Charles (1785-1835), established the Derby business early in the 19th century. Another son, William East Holmes (1783-1861), took over the Lichfield business.
c.1845 steam machinery was introduced into the works; several of the machines were of the firm's own invention, and were made on the premises, notably the spoke lathe and felloe saw.
Derby became the senior branch of the firm with Branches in Lichfield, London (opened by at least 1849, and later at Margaret Street), Sheffield (before 1876), Burton-on-Trent (after 1876) and Durban, Natal [South Africa] (source: Kelly's Directory, 1891).
1841 The firm received its first Royal warrant from Prince Albert
1849 received their first appointment by Queen Victoria. They also supplied carriages to Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh (b 1844-1900), Earl Grey, Marquis of Hartington, R. W. Chandos Pole, Lord George Nathaniel Curzon (1859-1925) and ambulances used during the Crimean War (1853-1856).
The company was well known throughout Europe for their production of the Light Park Phaeton, an elegant and simple light carriage, which they exhibited at the Great Exhibition at Crystal Palace in 1851.
In addition to manufacturing new carriages and coaches, including many bespoke designs for the nobility and gentry, Holmes & Co. sold and hired out second hand carriages and offered a repair and maintenance service.
1884 Arthur retired from the firm. Herbert Mountford Holmes was succeeded by his sons Charles (1844-1927), Herbert Mountford (1847-1929) and George Edward (1849-1915).
1898 The firm were coachmakers by Appointment to the Queen, the Prince of Wales, and the government.
1911 the firm operated showrooms and factories at London Road, Derby, Union Lane, Sheffield, Bird Street, Lichfield and Horninglow Road, Burton-on-Trent, plus a London showroom at 37-38 Margaret Street, Cavendish Square and works at Great Castle Street, Oxford Circus.
Herbert Holmes was childless. Charles’ sons did not want to take on the business. So the two surviving brothers arranged a merger with another family firm in Derby, that of Sanderson and Sons, who also had a long history of coach building in London and Dublin, but who had only been established in Derby since 1884.
Successor Sanderson and Holmes
* N.B.
An impressive series of contemporaneous hand-drawn and painted Victorian carriage designs from their catalogue, as well as a variety of account books recording customers names, carriages built, repaired and rented, and family correspondence of Herbert and Alfred Holmes are available at the Derbyshire Record Office with some of the illustrations available on their website: [1]