| AdminHistory | James Dixon founded a manufactory on Silver Street with Mr Smith in 1806. He began to produce Britannia Metal teapots and other items. From 1806 to c.1823, the firm was known as Dixon and Smith. By 1823, 100 workers were employed. From c.1823 the firm was known as James Dixon and Son. In 1824, the company moved to Cornish Place where Dixon could exploit steam power. In 1830 he expanded into the production of Old Sheffield Plate. In the 1830s he also began to deposit silver plate onto nickel by electrolysis, a method that was later to supersede the Old Sheffield plating. In the same decade, powder flasks and sportsmen's requisites were introduced which continued to be made up to the 1970s using the original dies. From c.1835 the company was called James Dixon and Sons.
Throughout the 19th century, Dixon's remained one of the leading producers of Britannia metal goods which, from as early as 1816, were in great demand in the United States of America. James Dixon and Sons exhibited at the Great Exhibition on 1851 where the firm was awarded two major prizes. According to the company's short printed history 'as a delicate compliment to Her Majesty [Queen Victoria], amongst their exhibits was a silver and gilt waiter based on the form of the Victoria Regia lily leaf'. In 1879 the 'trumpet' trademark was granted to the firm.
Whilst the firm continued to make holloware in the elegant designs of the eighteenth century as well as the more elaborate chased and fluted designs of the nineteenth century, in the later years of that century it produced holloware to the designs of the celebrated Dr Christopher Dresser - 'sleek objects of great practicality, which anticipated the functional lines of the twentieth century'. Dresser worked for Dixon's from about 1870 to 1883, his designs including tea and coffee services etc. His work for Dixon's is of interest not only for its highly original artistic quality but also because Dresser was one of the earliest true industrial designers. He displayed a thorough knowledge and understanding both of the materials to be used and contemporary production processes and designed specficially for batch production.
The company became James Dixon and Sons Limited in 1920. Shortly before the Second World War, William Hutton and Sons, another long-established Sheffield firm, famous for their Art Nouveau designs, amalgamated with Dixon's. The elaborate and extremely large catalogues of flatware and holloware produced by both firms in the heyday of Edwardian England reveal a vast array of items were produced. During the 20th century, Dixon's principal designer for over 50 years was Charles Holliday. His designs won various prizes including, on several occasions, the Godwin Award organised by the Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire.
The company went into receivership in 1976. After a brief revival, the company collapsed again in 1982. The company was bought by Thessco. Manufacturing ceased at Cornish Place, moving to the Gleadless works of Cooper Cobb, another part of Thessco's British Silverware operation. In 2002, British Silverware relocated to Windsor Street. |
| Description | These items were removed, with permission, from the Cornish Works. The material is of a very miscellaneous nature and some items are in poor condition.
Correspondence, 1928 - 1980 (MD8254/1)
Legal records, 1903 - 1980 (MD8254/2)
Accounts (cash books and day books), 1837 - 1954 (MD8254/3)
Employment records, 1939 - 1975 (MD8254/4)
Production and sales (trade catalogues, photographs, sketches etc.), c.1898 - [1980s] (MD8254/5)
Plant and property (site plans), [20th cent] (MD8254/6)
Records of James Dixon and Sons (Agency) Pty Limited, 1973 - 1982 (MD8254/7)
Dixon's Sport's Football Club, 1967 - 1978 (MD8254/8)
Cornish Place Fishing Club, 1904 - 1910 (MD8254/9)
G. and J.W. Hawksley Limited, [1920s - 1930s] (MD8254/10)
Miscellaneous published articles, 1978 (MD8254/11) |
| CustodialHistory | Items found in the Cornish Works following visits by Archives staff. The buildings were empty and some were semi-derelict following a fire and damage by intruders. Permission to gain access to the site and retrieve records given by Roy Peters Estates, owners of the buildings.
Material was gathered during visits in 1994-1995 (accession numbers: 1994/89a; 1994/89b and 1995/10). A note on the accession file states that staff from Kelham Island Museum had already visited the site on numerous occasions [although it is unclear whether they took records]. In any case, the material collected is of a very miscellaneous nature. |