Messrs. Spink and Son
Other names: Spink and Son Limited, Spink and Son
Foundation date: 1772
Active: 1887 - 1902
Function: Medallist, seal engraver, coin dealer
Policy: Listed as diamond and pearl manufacturers, goldsmiths and silversmiths, jewellers, coin-dealers and antiquaries, manufacturers of medals, die-sinkers, designers, etc., 'formerly at 1 and 2 Gracechurch Street, London, E.C., and later 30, Cornhill, E.C., since 1894 also at 17 and 18 Picadilly, W., 6 King Street S.W.' See Forrer, vol. 5, (1912), p. 638. Forrer states that 'the firm's works are equipped with the latest power and reducing machinery for the perfect manufacture of every kind of die-sinking, medal, badge and ticket-work.
Forrer discusses the firm on p. xxvi of his 'Introduction' to vol. 1, (1902), p. 136.: he states that 'this firm's medal factory is furnished with the newest patterns of presses and machinery (including the reducing-machine, which is almost the only one in ise in this country besides that at the Royal Mint), and with the collaboration of talented artists, like Mr. Bowcher, it should become an appreciable factor in the direction of a revival of medallic art in Enland'.
History or description: The firm was established in 1772 by Marshall Spink at Gracechurch Street. Forrer describes the history of the firms partners as follows: 'Partnership succession: (1) Marshall Spink (founder), (2) Daniel Edgar Spink (Son): (3) John Spink (grandson, 1904). Present Partners: John Marshall Spink, Samuel Martin Spink, Charles Frederick Spink. Two sons in business: Edwin Marshal Spink, son of John Marshall Spink, and John Jack Hofer Spink, son of Samuel M. Spink.' See Forrer, vol. 5, (1912), p. 638.
Locations
Factory located at 7 Golden Square London | View on map
1900 (Circa)
Factory located at 26 Bridle Lane London | View on map
1900 (Circa)
Located at 17 and 18 Piccadilly London | View on map
1900 (Circa)
Located at 1 and 2 Gracechurch Street Cornhill London | View on map
1900 (Circa)
Institutional and Business Connections
Purchased from A. D. Löwenstark and Sons
1895
Spink and Son purchased the 'plant, dies, &c.' after the firm closed in 1895.
Associated People
Designers included Frank Bowcher
1901 (Circa) - 1902 (Circa)
Bowcher's bust of the Queen (exhibited at the Royal Academy in c. 1901? 'the year last') appears on 'the Diamond Jubilee medals issued by Messrs Spink & Son' and was used for the medals of the School Board London, which were also 'struck' by Spink and Son: see Forrer, vol. 1, (1902), p. 136. Forrer also notes that Bowcher designed for the firm in vol. 5, (1912), p. 638.
Manager was Charles Winter
1887 (Circa) - 1916 (Circa)
'Manager of Spink and Son Ltd.'s Die-sinking works; later Director if the Soho Metal Works, and Soho Instrument Co., London.' See Forrer, vol. 6, (1916), p. 516. No dates are given by Forrer, however, he notes that Winter's signature appears on 'many Prize medals, badges, &c., issued by the firm from about 1887 to the present time'.
Worked with E. Shorthouse
Shorthouse comissioned Messrs Spink to restrike bronze coins that were originally comissioned and made by Moore in 1860 [summary]. See Forrer, vol. 5, (1912), pp. 495-496.
Descriptions of Business or Institution
Listed under Medallists Biographical Dictionary of Medallists, Coin, Gem, and Seal-Engravers, Mint Masters, &c., Ancient and Modern with References to their Works, B.C. 500 - A.D. 1900, Volume V, 1912 Biographical Dictionary of Medallists
Issued medals from c. 1887 onwards; Forrer lists numerous medals that were produced between this date and c. 1911. See Forrer, vol. 5, (1912), pp. 638-646.
Listed under Medallists Post Office London Directory, 1900 Post Office/Kelly London Directories
1900
p.2206
Listed as 'Coin Dealer' and 'Seal Engraver'
Publications
Published Biographical Dictionary of Medallists, Coin, Gem, and Seal-Engravers, Mint Masters, &c., Ancient and Modern with References to their Works, B.C. 500 - A.D. 1900, Volume I, 1902 Biographical Dictionary of Medallists
1902
Forrer's Dictionary was published by Spink and Son, London.
Published Biographical Dictionary of Medallists, Coin, Gem, and Seal-Engravers, Mint Masters, &c., Ancient and Modern with References to their Works, B.C. 500 - A.D. 1900, Volume II, 1904 Biographical Dictionary of Medallists
1904
Forrer's Dictionary was published by Spink and Son, London.
Sources
Post Office London Directory, 1900 Post Office/Kelly London Directories
1900
p.2206
Citing this record
'Messrs. Spink and Son', Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011 [http://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/organization.php?id=msib4_1238163888, accessed 28 Jul 2021]
