John Gosnell and Co
of Ballards Old Brewery, Southover, Lewes, Sussex. telephone: Lewes 615. Cables: "Gosnell, Lewes". London Address: 1-2 Doyce Street, London, SE1. Telephone: Waterloo 6594
The company traces its roots back to 1677. Over the first one hundred and fifty years the company changed its name a number of times from John Price through to Price and Gosnell to John Gosnell.
1677 The company was founded by John Price, at Three King Court, Lombard Street, London. [1]
1790 Became John Price and Sons, Perfumer, 150, Leadenhall Street.
1806 Listed as T. Price and Co, Perfumer, 4, Leadenhall Street.
1807 Thomas Butts, William Patey and William Froggatt mentioned as partners and Soap manufacturers of Three King Court, Lombard Street.
c1814 John Gosnell became partner.
1817 Became Patey, Price and Gosnell.
1818 Partnership dissolved, Price and Gosnell continued together and had become Perfumers to Prince Regent, later George IV.
1832 John Gosnell died and the business was divided amongst family.
1840 Listed as J. Gosnell and Co, Wholesale Perfumers and Flower Distillers.
1841 Listed at 12 Three King Court, 32 Lombard Street as 'Gosnell, John and Co, perfumers and soap makers to the Queen' and as 'Price and Gosnell, Perfumers etc.' Also stated to be successors of Price and Gosling and at 160 Regent Street. [2]
1852 Listed as Gosnell, John and Co (successors to Price and Gosnell), perfumers and soap makers, brush and comb manufacturers, by appointment to her majesty and the Royal family, 12 Three King Court, Lombard Street. Brush manufactory, 68 Upper Thames Street and 18 School Lane, Liverpool [3]
1854 J. Gosnell and Co. (Succrs to Price and Gosnell), Brush Manufactories, 25, Bury Street, St. Mary Axe, and 18, School Lane, Liverpool
During the reign of Queen Victoria the company expanded globally with its Cherry Blossom, Famora and Society ranges becoming major household names. The Company was particularly innovative in advertising; for example flying perfume bottle shaped hot air balloons over Paris and London and lotteries in China.
1864 Listed as J. Gosnell and Co. (Succrs to Price and Gosnell), Perfumers and Soap Makers and brush and comb manufacturers, By Appointment to Her Majesty and Royal Family, of 12 Three King Court, Lombard Street, Brush Manufactory, 25, Bury Court, St. Mary Axe and 79 Rue de Richelieu, Paris.
1885 Brush business sold to G. B. Kent.
1898 Became a Limited company, registered at 93, Upper Thames Street, London, E.C.
1900 Moved to 211-215 Blackfriars Road, London, S.E.
1915 Listed under Perfumers and Soap Makers as Gosnell, John and Co, Limited, 211, 212, 213, 214 and 215 Blackfriars Road SE. By appointment to Queen Alexandra, Specialities 'Cherry Blossom' and 'Famora' [4]
1920s Success continued until sometime in the 1920s, at which point a decline in the demand for British products and the conduct of the owners resulted in a significant slow down in the company’s development.
1933 Company left Blackfriars Road. Acquired by Warner family.
1930s Acquired building in Union Street with a warehouse in Doyce Street.
1939 Moved to Lewes, East Sussex.
Post-1945 Returned to Doyce Street.
1947 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of "Cherry Blossom" Perfume, Toilet Powder and Brilliantine, "Famora" Cologne and Lavender Water, Assorted Perfumes, "Society" (Registered) Cosmetics, Bath Crystals, Shampoos, Talcum, Bath, and Toilet Soap. (Olympia, Ground Floor, Stand No. 1271) [5]
Today, the company remains as an independent cosmetic house.
See Also
Sources of Information
- [2] John Gosnell Website