A Plague upon the year; but . . . .

Discussion in 'Forum: Saw Identification and Discussion' started by shoarthing, Nov 3, 2022.

  1. shoarthing

    shoarthing Most Valued Member

    Messages:
    109
    . . . just this week I had the pleasure of meeting a fellow backsaw-net-iste (Thank you so much, Ray, for creating & inspiring & making this digital place), in London adjacent a sadly worn statue of King Charles the second.

    We strolled, nattering of saws & lives, past many, many Ghosts, including those of a notorious, handsome, yet knowingly horrid brothel . . .

    Screenshot 2022-04-20 at 10.09.13.png

    . . . . . . along Sutton Street to just beyond that gentleman's Chaise; where, in May 1810, saw-and-plane-making paused, as the mighty 4hp engine went under-the-hammer . . .

    DE39BFD0-80DA-402B-B61B-A73F8793ABFE.jpeg

    . . . or perhaps just skipped a decade . . . until, in June 1823, the hammer fell again upon:

    1823 jun 05 Morning Advertiser sale T Porter Sutton St.png

    . . . then we, old ex-Londoners with happy memories, strolled along past Awful Developments:

    . . . perhaps 75 metres South along what was once Crown Street, and an earlier, 1809 auction of 4hp enterprise:

    1809 January 16 Morning Advertiser Williams 22 Crown St and George Yard steam engine.png


    . . . past (across the road, at #27) the unkindly arraigned (by Joseph Howell), in 1802, Armell Jones . . .

    . . . to continue our short & circular walk to #2 Greek Street.

    Where we consumed the finest bottle of Champagne I've met since a Bollinger RD in the late 1970s; a "Binome". . . . . made organically by Julie Dufour. And the folk next table in the restaurant insisted on holding the - brought-along-for-gloating - HOWEL
     
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2022
  2. ray

    ray Administrator Staff Member

    Messages:
    671
    Wonderful stuff, and very atmospheric description. Sounds like a very pleasant afternoon.

    Thanks.
     
  3. shoarthing

    shoarthing Most Valued Member

    Messages:
    109
    . . . . . it was; with thanks due to you.

    BTW Georgian saw-makers' premises in this small but vivid area between Soho & St Giles included:

    #s 3&4 Sutton Street - 1803-1823:
    "Shepley & Brain", succeeded around 1810 by:
    "John Brain" &
    "Porter"
    #22 Crown Street - 1794-1809:
    "George Stevens" (previously of 102 Wardour Street, later of 25 Berwick Street), succeeded around 1800 by:
    "Williams" (previously of 102 Wardour Street)
    #27 Crown Street - 1802-1833:
    "Armell Jones" succeeded before 1816 by:
    "Joseph Smith"

    Images of backsaws bearing the stamps of two of the two Sutton Street concerns have kindly been shared here . . . . if anyone has a saw from the Crown Street makers . . .
     
    Last edited: Jan 4, 2023
    Underthedirt likes this.
  4. David

    David Most Valued Member

    Messages:
    315
    George Stevens, I believe. George Stevens, London.jpeg
     
    Underthedirt and shoarthing like this.
  5. shoarthing

    shoarthing Most Valued Member

    Messages:
    109
    David - Hi - Oh! Excellent! . . . such an elegantly small radius between cheek & bevel . . . & are those 3/8" flat saw-screws? Thick-shafted 3/8" saw-screws? (& the traditional splodge of green paint, o joy)
     
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2022
  6. David

    David Most Valued Member

    Messages:
    315
    And then there's the earliest tenant at 102 Wardour St, from the Sign of the Golden Saw, William Squire, who made this saw. w squire.jpeg
     
    Underthedirt likes this.
  7. shoarthing

    shoarthing Most Valued Member

    Messages:
    109
    3A971B9C-BFE1-4735-8602-0461CB01C8BC.jpeg 81C42E46-311E-460D-ABF9-62C4A24F0E1D.jpeg Just arrived is this plausible claimant for c1800-1808/9 Edward & Robert Williams at 22 Crown Street/George Yard:
     
    Last edited: Dec 11, 2022