Barker and Co (Coachbuilders)
Barker and Co Luxury coach builder of London.
Barker and Company, founded 1710, address Chandos Street, London.
1802 Partnership change. '... the Copartnership between Charles Barker, Stephen Kendrick, and Richard Parkes, of Chandos-Street, Covent-Garden, in the County of Middlesex, Coach-Makers, was this Day dissolved by mutual Consent; and the Business will in future be carried on by Charles Barker only; and all Persons indebted to the said Copartnership are desired to pay their respective Debts to the said Charles Barker, who is duly authorised to receive the same; and all Debts owing from the said Partnership Concern will be paid by the laid Charles Barker...'[1]
1847 John Vezey of 66 Chandos Street, Clerk to Barker and Co, is bankrupt.[2]
1852 Partnership change. '...the Partnership lately subsisting between William Courtney, of Chandos street, Covent-Garden, deceased, and us the undersigned, in the trade or business of Coach Builders, under the style or firm of Barker and Company, expired on the 14th instant.— Witness our hands this 30th day of April 1852. William Charles Courtney, Charles Barker Courtney. William Charles Courtney, Charles Barker Courtney. Exors. to the late William Courtney.'[3]
1852 Built the funeral car for the Duke of Wellington. Barker and Co, Chandos Street, Covent Garden, London.[4]
1903 Mention of the late Alfred Collyer-Bristow, a partner in Barker and Co of 66 Chandos Street.[5]
1905 Reformed as Barker & Company (Coachbuilders)
1913 Presentation inkwell engraved 'The Firm Of Barker & Co Coachbuilders by Margaret Lloyd, E.O.Lloyd & E.A.C Lloyd' and 'in remembrance of Alfred Collyer-Bristow, Mary Collyer-Bristow and James Findlay'[6] (1917 announcement in The Times 'Mrs. E. O. Lloyd and Mrs. E. A. C. Lloyd wish to thank many kind friends for their letters and sympathy, and regret that they are unable to answer them all at present, but hope to do so in time.')
After the 1920s Barker & Co seemed to be unable to keep up with advances in the use of light alloys for framing. Requests for sturdier bodies were met by using heavier components which hampered the finished product's performance.
1938 The company fell into receivership and its brand name and business were taken over by its long-term rival Hooper & Co which in its turn was taken over by Daimler in 1940 and so became part of the BSA group.
1938 Taken over by Hooper and Co (Coachbuilders), St James Street, London which was already owned by BSA, and was assigned to Daimler (a B.S.A. subsidiary) c.1940.[7]
Barker was the recommended bodywork supplier for early Rolls-Royce cars, although the choice was the customer's and there were several other prominent builders. One such Rolls-Royce with Barker bodywork, The Silver Ghost, is now the most valuable car in the world, valued at USD$57 million. The Silver Ghost was originally built for Rolls-Royce for use in their publicity activities.
Some idea of the scale of their operations may be gauged from their advertisement in The Times on the opening of the 1912 Motor Show at London's Olympia. They described themselves as Coachbuilders to H.M. The King, London Retailers and Body Specialists for Rolls-Royce Cars. They advised the reader that Barker Bodies on Rolls-Royce chassis may be viewed on their own stand 146 as well as on Rolls-Royce Stand 72. The note is added: "Nearly 100 Rolls-Royce Cars, with Barker Bodies, of various types to order, can always be seen in course of completion at our Works. Complete Rolls-Royce Cars ready for immediate delivery". 66-68, South Audley Street, London W. Telephone Mayfair 5435.[8]
As well as Rolls-Royce and Bentley, Barker also constructed bodywork on chassis by other manufacturers including Daimler, Napier, Packard, Cadillac, Duesenberg, and Mercedes-Benz.
Note: The company records are held in the Science Museum, with ledgers from 1799.[9]
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ The London Gazette Publication date:22 June 1802 Issue:15491 Page:669
- ↑ The London Gazette Publication date:27 August 1847 Issue:20768Page:3139
- ↑ The London Gazette Publication date:4 May 1852 Issue:21315 Page:1275
- ↑ Carlisle Journal - Friday 19 November 1852
- ↑ The London Gazette Publication date:25 December 1903 Issue:27629 Page:8518
- ↑ [https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RARE-1913-BARKER-CO-COACHBUILDERS-SILVER-ENAMEL-PRESENTATION-INKWELL-/142090990547 ebay item for sale
- ↑ National Archives
- ↑ The Times, Friday, 8 November 1912; pg. 15; Issue 40051
- ↑ Science Museum