British canvas, stretcher and panel suppliers’ marks. Part ... · courtesy John Payne) Stencil on canvas: JOHN REEVES. ARTISTS COLORMAN 2. JOHN ST TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD [at 2 John

British canvas, stretcher and panel suppliers’ marks. Part 6, O to Y

This resource surveys suppliers’ marks and labels on the reverse of picture supports. This part is devoted to London suppliers, O to Y, active between the 1830s and the 1930s. Arranged alphabetically by supplier: Thomas Ordish, Charles Pearson, Pinnick Brothers, H.J. Pursey, Robert Rawcliffe, Arthur Rayner, John Reeves, T.C. Riordan, Leonard Sanders, Patrick Shea, John Sherborn/Sherborn & Co/Sherborn & Tillyer, J.H. Simpson, Charles Smith, J.B. Smith/John Bryce Smith Ltd, W.A. Smith, Alexander Spicker, James Tillyer, William Urquhart, Aug. Walker, Waring & Dimes, C.H. West, J.E. Williams, Cecil Wood/Wood & Co, Percy Young and Young & Marten. For information on individual suppliers, see British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 on this website. Measurements of marks, given where known, are approximate and may vary according to the stretching or later conservation treatment of a canvas or the trimming of a label. Links are given to institutional websites where dimensions of works can be found. Dates for businesses, partnerships and addresses are usually accurate to within a year. Square brackets are used to indicate indistinct or missing lettering in transcripts, with readings sometimes based on other examples. Compiled by Jacob Simon, September 2017, updated February 2020, and based on the pioneering work of Cathy Proudlove and the suppliers’ database created by Jacob Simon. With thanks to Dr Joyce Townsend for providing information on paintings in Tate, to Nicola Costaras at the Victoria and Albert Museum and to John Payne, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.

Supplier, work details

Supplier dates, mark transcripts Product marks (not to uniform scale)

Thomas Ordish

At 56 Brompton Row 1854-62 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - O

Illustrated: James Webb, Simon’s Bath (Sotheby’s Belgravia, 28 January 1975, lot 159)

Stencil, 10.2 cm wide, oval, on canvas:

T. ORDISH ---

MANUFACTURER, ~~ CORNER OF ~~

BROMPTON SQUARE LONDON

Charles Pearson

In business 1860-94 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - P

Illustrated: J.B. Burgess, An Artist's Almsgiving, 1886 (Reading City Museum)

Stencil, oval format, on canvas and stretcher:

C. PEARSON ARTISTS

COLOURMAN 17 QUEENS TERRACE

ST JOHNS WOOD [at 17 Queens Terrace 1886-94]

Sketch drawing made in 1973:

http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers.phphttp://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/ohttp://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/phttps://artuk.org/discover/artworks/an-artists-almsgiving-41439/search/actor:burgess-john-bagnold-18291897/page/2/view_as/gridhttps://artuk.org/discover/artworks/an-artists-almsgiving-41439/search/actor:burgess-john-bagnold-18291897/page/2/view_as/grid



Illustrated (top): Source: Ann Ralls, diploma thesis on canvas stamps, University College, London, 1995. Also found on: Alice Havers, 'But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart', 1888 (Norwich Castle Museum)

Illustrated (bottom): Unknown artist, The Canova Monument at Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (with Daxer & Marschall, Munich, Sept. 2014)

Stencil, 16 cm wide, on canvas:

CHAS. PEARSON 17 QUEENS TERRACE

ST. JOHNS WOOD N.W.

[at 17 Queens Terrace 1886-94]

^ thesis

^ Unknown artist (stencil partly obscured by stretcher)

Pinnick Brothers

In business 1857 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - P

Illustrated: Source: Cobbe coll., see note 2.

Stencil, 10.1 cm wide, on canvas:

PINNICK BRO[s] ARTISTS COLORME[N]

Carv[er]s, Gilder[s] AND FRAME MAKERS

High Street CAMDEN TOWN

James Poole

In business 1785-1801 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - P

See Part 1, 1785-1831 of this guide

Herbert John Pursey

At this address 1906-35 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - P

Illustrated: Lucien Pissarro, Ivy Cottage, Coldharbour: Sun and Snow, 1916 (Tate)

Stamp, indistinct, on canvas:

H. J. PURSEY, [PICTURE FRAME MAKER] & ARTISTS’ [COLOUR...]

152, SHEPHERDS BUSH ROAD, HAMMERSMITH, W.

https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/but-mary-kept-all-these-things-and-pondered-them-in-her-heart-606/view_as/grid/search/makers:alice-havers-18501890/page/1https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/but-mary-kept-all-these-things-and-pondered-them-in-her-heart-606/view_as/grid/search/makers:alice-havers-18501890/page/1https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/but-mary-kept-all-these-things-and-pondered-them-in-her-heart-606/view_as/grid/search/makers:alice-havers-18501890/page/1http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/phttp://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/phttp://www.npg.org.uk/assets/files/pdf/research/D%20marks%201785-1831.pdfhttp://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/phttp://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/pissarro-ivy-cottage-coldharbour-sun-and-snow-n05552http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/pissarro-ivy-cottage-coldharbour-sun-and-snow-n05552http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/pissarro-ivy-cottage-coldharbour-sun-and-snow-n05552



Robert Rawcliffe

At this address 1844-52 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - R

Illustrated: Joseph Wolf, Woodcock and Young Robin (Sotheby’s Belgravia, unspecified sale), source: Cobbe coll., see note 2.

Stencil, 13.0 cm wide, oval format, on canvas:

RAWCLIFFE MANUFACTURING

ARTISTS COLOURMAN 26, Charlotte Street [FITZROY] PLACE

LONDON

Arthur Rayner

At 35-36 Chenies Mews c.1873-75, 32 Francis St c.1874-77, 26 Francis St 1878-92 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - R

Illustrated: Unknown artist, Seascape with sailing ship offshore (Private coll., June 2019)

Stencil on canvas:

Prepared By ---

A. RAYNER. ---

35 & 36, Chenies Mews TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD

-----

Illustrated: Abraham Hulk junr, Rustic Cottages (Sotheby's Belgravia, 25 November 1975, lot 200?)

Stencil, 10 cm wide, largely oval format, on canvas:

PREPARED BY, A. RAYNER.

--- 32. FRANCIS ST

--- Tottenham Court Road

Illustrated: Unknown artist, Undescribed subject (Private coll., August 2019)

Stencil, largely oval format, on canvas:

Prepared by A. RAYNER.

26 FRANCIS ST.

Tottenham Ct Road

http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/r/http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/r/



John Reeves senr

In business 1841-55 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - R

Followed by his wife, Ann, and son, John. Not to be confused with Reeves & Sons.

Illustrated (top): Ford Madox Brown, Lear and Cordelia, 1848-9 (Tate), see note 4. Also found on: John Frederick Pasmore, Highland Rams Fighting,

c.1850 (Victoria and Albert Museum)

Illustrated (bottom): ‘Kirkby’, unspecified work, 1848 (Private coll.), source: Cobbe coll., see note 2.


J. REEVES. ARTISTS [CA]NVAS PRIMER

98 JOHN STREET TOTTENHAM COURT R[D]

[at 98 John St 1848-55]

^ Brown

^ Kirkby

Illustrated: Ford Madox Brown, Jesus Washing Peter’s Feet, watercolour on paper stretched over canvas, 1857-8 (Tate)


JOHN REEVES. 98 JOHN STT.

TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD [at 98 John St 1848-55]



JOHN REEVES ---

ARTISTS COLORMAN 2 & 98 JOHN ST

--- TOTTENHAM CT ROAD

LONDON W

[‘2’ above and to right of ‘T’ of TOTTENHAM] [at 2 & 98 John St 1851-55]

http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/r/http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/brown-lear-and-cordelia-n03065http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/brown-lear-and-cordelia-n03065http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/brown-jesus-washing-peters-feet-n05301http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/brown-jesus-washing-peters-feet-n05301



Illustrated: Joseph Thors, Snipe Shooting (Sotheby’s Belgravia, 20 May 1975, lot 130)

Stencil, 10 cm wide, oval format, on canvas:

JOHN REEVES ---

ARTISTS COLORMAN 2 & 98 JOHN ST

--- TOTTENHAM CT ROAD

LONDON W

[‘2’ above and to left of ‘T’ of TOTTENHAM]

[at 2 & 98 John St 1851-55]

Illustrated: James Danby, Sunset on the Dutch Coast (Sotheby’s Belgravia, 11 November 1975, lot 12)


JOHN REEVES ARTISTS COLORMAN

2. JOHN ST. TOTTENHAM COURT RD.

[at 2 John St 1851-56]

Illustrated: Unkown artist, Portrait of Joseph Shepherd (d.1862) (Private coll., Australia, 2010, image courtesy John Payne)

Stencil on canvas:

JOHN REEVES. ARTISTS COLORMAN

2. JOHN ST TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD

[at 2 John St 1851-56]

John Reeves junr


Successor to his mother, Ann Reeves

Illustrated: Unspecified work, 1870, source: Cobbe coll., see note 2.


JOHN REEVES ---

ARTISTS COLORMAN 6. WHITFIELD ST

Late John St ---

TOTTENHAM CT ROAD. LONDON W

[at 6 Whitfield St 1870-80]

Illustrated: Alfred Joseph Woolmer, A Wooded Landscape, 1873 (Christie’s, 25 April 1975, lot 137)


JOHN REEVES ---

ARTISTS COLORMAN. 6. WHITFIELD ST

Late John St ---

TOTTENHAM CT ROAD LONDON. W.


http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/r/





JOHN REEVES ---

ARTISTS COLORMAN 6 WHITFIELD St

--- TOTTENHAM CT. ROAD

LONDON W [‘6’ below ‘R’ of ARTISTS] [at 6 Whitfield St 1870-80]

Illustrated: Source: ‘19th Century Prepared Artists’ Canvas based on research by Cathy Leach’, Antique Finder, May 1973, p.33.

Stencil, oval format, on canvas:

JOHN REEVES ARTISTS COLORMAN

6.WHITFIELD ST. TOTTENHAM CT. ROAD

LONDON

[‘6’ below ‘A’ of ARTISTS] [at 6 Whitfield St 1870-80]

Reeves & Sons

In business as Reeves & Sons from 1830 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - R

See Part 7, Reeves & Sons of this guide Not to be confused with John Reeves (above)

Thomas Courtney Riordan


Illustrated: Unspecified portrait (Private coll., 2011)

Stamp on canvas:

PREPARED BY T. C. RIORDAN.

28 UPPER KING ST. BLOOMSBURY SQUARE

& 5 PLEASANT ROW PENTONVILLE

[at these addresses 1856-57]

Charles Roberson, Charles Roberson & Co

In business as Charles Roberson from 1819 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - R

See Part 8, Roberson & Co of this guide

Rowney & Forster, George Rowney & Co

In business as Rowney & Forster from 1815 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - R

See Part 9, Rowney & Co of this guide

http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/r/http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/r/http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/r.phphttp://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/r/



Leonard Sanders

In business 1912-15 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - S

Illustrated: C.R.W. Nevinson, The Strafing, 1916 (Ivor Braka Ltd, 1999) Also found on: J.W. Waterhouse, The Enchanted Garden,

exh.1917 (Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight)

Stamp on canvas:

LEONARD SANDERS ARTISTS DEPÔT

[PREPARE]D? CANVAS? 1[4? CIRCUS?] ROAD

ST JO[HN'S W]OOD, N.W.

Patrick Shea

In business from 1871; moved several times See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - S

Illustrated: Edwin H. Boddington, Wooded River Landscape (Christie’s, 13 February 1976, lot 113)


P. SHEA. ARTISTS

COLORMAN 21. WARREN ST Tottenham Ct Rd

LONDON [first at 21 Warren St 1871-74]



P. SHEA ARTISTS COLORMAN.

21, WARREN ST., Tottenham Ct. Road

LONDON. W

[first at 21 Warren St 1871-74]

Illustrated: Frederick William Hulme, A Rocky Wooded River Landscape, 1876 (Christie's, 25 April 1975, lot 79) Also found on: Frank E. Cox, Faithful, 1875 (Bonham’s, Knightsbridge, 12 November 2019, lot 82)


-- P SHEA -- ARTISTS COLORMAN

--127-- WHITFIELD ST

LATE OF Warren Street

Tottenham Ct Road LONDON W


http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/s/http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/s/



Illustrated: Alphonse Legros, Edward Burne-Jones, 1879 (Victoria and Albert Museum) Also found on: Arthur Batt, Good Companions, 1880 (Southampton Art Gallery)


P. SHEA. ARTISTS COLORMAN.

127 WHITFIELD ST.

--- Tottenham Ct. Road

LONDO[N W] [at 127 Whitfield St 1875-82]

Illustrated: Sydney Starr, Study in Blue and Grey, 1891 (Tate)


P. SHEA. ARTISTS COLORMAN

21, WARREN ST

LATE OF WHITFIELD ST.

TOTTENHAM CT. ROAD LONDON [W]

[at 21 Warren St a second time 1883-97]

Illustrated: Arthur Dodd, Who’s for the Chop (Sotheby's Belgravia, 21 October 1975, lot 88) Also found on: William Henry Pike, Bandits,

1889 (Case Antiques Inc, 14 July 2018, lot 333)


P. SHEA, ARTISTS COLORMAN,

21. WARREN STT. --W--

TOTTENHAM COURT RD. LONDON.


Illustrated: John Trivett Nettleship, Rich Spoil, 1893 (Christie's, 25 April 1975, lot 39) Also found on: Edgar Bundy, An Interesting Stranger, 1891 (Sotheby's Belgravia, 25 March 1975, lot 85)


P. SHEA ARTISTS COLORMAN

21 WARREN ST. TOTTENHAM CT. R

LONDON. W


Illustrated: Alfred A. Glendening, Manar Water, near Kenmay (Christie's, 25 April 1975, lot 17) For examples, 1902-17, see note 5.


P. SHEA, ARTISTS' COLORMAN,

56, FIT[ZRO]Y ST., TOT. COU[RT R]D.,

LONDON, W.

[at 56 Fitzroy St 1898-1925]

http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O88750/sir-edward-coley-burne-jones-oil-painting-legros-alphonse/http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O88750/sir-edward-coley-burne-jones-oil-painting-legros-alphonse/http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/starr-study-in-blue-and-grey-n04766http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/starr-study-in-blue-and-grey-n04766



Illustrated: Duncan Grant, Composition with Hat, Dove and Fruit, 1925 (Victoria and Albert Museum)

Stamp on canvas:

P. SHEA, A[RTISTS' COLORMA]N,

4, FITZROY STREET TOT[TENHAM COUR]T RD

LONDON, W.

[at 4 Fitzroy St 1926-37]

John Sherborn

Supplier so named 1820-47 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - S

For the successor business, Sherborn & Co, see below

Illustrated: J.M.W. Turner, Steamer and Lightship: Study for ‘The Fighting Temeraire, c.1838-9 (Tate, N05478)

Stamp, within oval, on canvas:

I. SHERBORN 321.

OXFORD ST.

Sherborn & Co

Supplier so named by 1842, possibly before See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - S

For the successor business, Sherborn & Tillyer, see below

Illustrated: J.M.W. Turner, Sun Setting over a Lake, c.1840? (Tate, N04665) Also found on: J.M.W. Turner, Stormy Sea with Dolphins, c.1835-40 (Tate, N04664) J.M.W. Turner, The Disembarkation of Louis-Philippe at Gosport, 1844, c.1844–5 (Tate, N04660)

Stencil, 7.2cm wide, oval format, on canvas:

[J.] SHERBORN & [Co] ---

ARTIST COLORMEN ---

[3]21 OXFORD [ST.]

Illustrated: J.M.W. Turner, Seascape with Buoy, c.1840 (Tate, N05477)


J. SHERBORN & [Co] Artist Colormen OXFORD ST.

http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O134547/composition-with-hat-dove-and-oil-painting-grant-duncan/http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O134547/composition-with-hat-dove-and-oil-painting-grant-duncan/http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/s/http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/turner-steamer-and-lightship-a-study-for-the-fighting-temeraire-n05478http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/turner-steamer-and-lightship-a-study-for-the-fighting-temeraire-n05478http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/turner-steamer-and-lightship-a-study-for-the-fighting-temeraire-n05478http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/s/http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/turner-sun-setting-over-a-lake-n04665http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/turner-sun-setting-over-a-lake-n04665http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/turner-seascape-with-buoy-n05477http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/turner-seascape-with-buoy-n05477



Illustrated: Stephen Pearce, The Arctic Council planning a search for Sir John Franklin, 1851 (National Portrait Gallery), stretcher supplied by Thomas Brown.


J. SHERBORN & C[O] Artist Colormen

~ 321 ~ OXFORD ST.

Sherborn & Tillyer

Supplier so named 1847-62 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - S

For the successor business, James Tillyer, see below

Illustrated: Henry Bright, A Shipwreck in a Storm, 1856 (Christie's, 25 July 1975, lot 152) Also found on: Henry Bright, Orford Castle, 1856 (Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery)

Stencil, 8.6cm wide, oval format, on canvas:

SHERBORN & TILLYER ---

ARTISTS COLORMEN ---

321. OXFORD STREET.

Illustrated: English school, Ship in Stormy Sea (Chiswick Auctions, 3 October 2018, lot 295)

Stencil, 8.1 cm wide, oval format, in centre of canvas:

SHERBORN & TILLYER ---

ARTISTS COLOURMEN

--- 321. OXFORD S[T]

John Henry Simpson

Supplier in business by 1837-54 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - S

Illustrated: J.F. Herring senr, Birmingham, Winner of the 1830 St Leger, undated (Christie’s, South Kensington, 7 July 2016, lot 263) Another stamp is known, image unavailable, similar wording but oval format.

Stencil on panel:

[Prepared] [by]

J.H. SIMPSON, ARTIST COLOURMAN

~~ 54 ~~ LONDON ROAD

Southwark

http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw00257/The-Arctic-Council-planning-a-search-for-Sir-John-Franklinhttp://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw00257/The-Arctic-Council-planning-a-search-for-Sir-John-Franklinhttp://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw00257/The-Arctic-Council-planning-a-search-for-Sir-John-Franklinhttp://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw00257/The-Arctic-Council-planning-a-search-for-Sir-John-Franklinhttp://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/s/https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/orford-castle-suffolk-737/search/actor:bright-henry-18101873/page/1/view_as/gridhttps://artuk.org/discover/artworks/orford-castle-suffolk-737/search/actor:bright-henry-18101873/page/1/view_as/gridhttp://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/s/



Illustrated: J.F. Herring senr, Charles XII, Winner of the St Leger and Gold Cup, Doncaster, 1839 (Sotheby’s, 12 December 2018, lot 42) Also found on: J.F. Herring senr, Coronation, winner of the Derby, 1841, undated (Christie’s, South Kensington, 7 July 2016, lot 263), label torn

Label, torn, on panel:

I.H. SIMPSON, Artists Colourman.

54 London Road

Southwark

William Simpson

At this address 1846-1851 or later See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - S

Illustrated: Unknown artist, Landscape ‘Crimea mountains', undated (ebay, September 2017, item 302453123649)

Stencil, about 7.8cm wide, oval format, at centre of canvas:

W. SIMPSON, Artist Col[ou]rman.

1, PORTMAN PLACE EDGEWARE ROAD

Artists s[upp]lied with ev[ery] Req[uisite]

Smith & Warner

In business by 1800-1825 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - S

See Part 1, 1785-1831 of this guide. For the successor business, Charles Smith, see below

Charles Smith

In business as Charles Smith c.1824-46 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - S

Successor to Smith & Warner

Illustrated: After Carlo Dolci, Mary Magalen (with J.D. Marshall Antiques, 2011)

Stamp, indistinct, oval format, on canvas:

C. SMITH [Artists] C[olourman]

[.......] PICCADILLY

http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/s.phphttp://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/s.phphttp://www.npg.org.uk/assets/files/pdf/research/D%20marks%201785-1831.pdfhttp://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/s/



Illustrated: David Cox, Windermere, 1844 (Birmingham Museums Trust)

Label, 6.5 cm wide, on stretcher or frame:

CHARLES SMITH, (LATE SMITH AND WARNER)

No. 34, Mary-le-bone Street, Piccadilly, Manufacturer of

Prepared Cloths, Panels, and MILL BOARDS,

For Artists; and every requisite for the Fine Arts.

[Charles Smith at this address 1826-46]

Illustrated:

Unspecified painting (Private coll.)

Label on board?:

C. SMITH [(Late] Smith and Warner)

MANUFACTURER OF PREPARED

[PA]PER, MILLBOARDS, [PAN]ELS, CLOTHS AND TICKENS,

And every [Ma]terial for Drawing and Painting,

34, MARYLEBONE STREET, PICCADILLY,

Behind the Quadrant, Regent St LONDON.

^ [best available image]

Illustrated: F. Calvert, The Farewell (Christie’s, 16 July 1976, lot 184)

Label, torn, 4.8 cm wide, on board:

--- ---

Artists' Rep[ository] 34, Marylebone St., Quadr[ant] REGENT STREET, LONDON.

John Bryce Smith

In business 1883-1921 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - S

For the successor business, John Bryce Smith Ltd, see below

Illustrated: William A. Breakspeare, Wistful (Bonham’s, Knightsbridge, 12 November 2019, lot 66)

Stamp, 9 cm wide, on mahogany or similar hardwood, at centre of panel:

JOHN B SMITH ARTISTS COLORMAN

FRAMEMAKER[?] & IMPORTER[?] 117 FINCHLEY ROAD[?]

LONDON

https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/windermere-33405/search/makers:david-cox-the-elder-17831859/sort_by/object.lifecycle.creation.date.earliest/order/asc/page/2http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/s/



Illustrated: Joseph Mordecai, Sir Arthur Pinero, exh.1891, (National Portrait Gallery) Also found on: Arthur Hacker, Christ and the Magdalene, 1890 (Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool)

Stamp, 7.8 cm wide, on canvas:

J. B. SMITH 117 HAMPSTEAD RD

LONDON NW

Illustrated: G. Wright, Sinnington Pasture, 1898 (Christie's, 25 July 1975, lot 89)


JOHN BRYCE SMITH. 117 HAMPSTEAD RD.

LONDON N.W.

Illustrated: G. Wright, Sinnington Hounds, 1902 (Christie's, 25 July 1975, lot 90)


JOHN BRYCE SMITH. 117 HAMPSTEAD RD.

LONDON N.W. [different lettering; ‘117’ further to left]

Illustrated: John Byam Shaw, Boer War, Last Summer Things Were Greener, 1901 (Birmingham Museums Trust) Also found on: Lucy Kemp-Welch, Horses bathing in the Sea, 1900 (National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne). Click for an image of stencil.


FROM JOHN BRYCE SMITH. 117 HAMPSTEAD RD

LONDON N.W [upright lettering; ‘FROM’ is sometimes added top left] [found on works dated 1900-04]


Stamp, 11.0 cm wide, in form of decorative scroll, on canvas:

JOHN B. SMITH ARTISTS COLORMAN?

MANUFACTUR[ER…........] 117, HAMPSTEAD [RD.]

LONDON, N.W.

Illustrated: Edwin Roberts, unspecified work, source: Cobbe coll., see note 2.


JOHN B SMITH [-------?]

[M]ANU[FACTURER]? ------? 117, HA[MPSTEAD R]D,

LONDON, N.W.

[very close to the above and perhaps identical despite lack of border]

http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw05020/Sir-Arthur-Wing-Pinero?LinkID=mp03569&role=sit&rNo=1http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw05020/Sir-Arthur-Wing-Pinero?LinkID=mp03569&role=sit&rNo=1https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/boer-war-19001901-last-summer-things-were-greener-33936/view_as/grid/search/keyword:birmingham-trust-boer/page/1https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/boer-war-19001901-last-summer-things-were-greener-33936/view_as/grid/search/keyword:birmingham-trust-boer/page/1https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/boer-war-19001901-last-summer-things-were-greener-33936/view_as/grid/search/keyword:birmingham-trust-boer/page/1http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/explore/collection/work/4100/http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/explore/collection/work/4100/



Illustrated: Source: Cobbe coll., see note 2. Also found on: George Sheridan Knowles, Charity, 1906 (Christie’s, 13 February 1976, lot 20)


JOHN B. SMITH, 117, HAMPSTEAD ROAD, N.W.

LONDON.

[smaller size stamp]

Illustrated (top): Frederick Michael, Ethel Irving as Lady Frederick Berolles, c.1907 (Victoria and Albert Museum) Illustrated (bottom): Unspecified work, source: Cobbe coll., see note 2. Also found, without ‘28’ canvas number, on: Alvaro Guevara, Dame Edith Sitwell, 1916 (Tate),

indistinct Rodney J. Burn, By the Lake, 1922 (Tate)

Stamp on canvas: 28


JOHN B. SMITH, 117, HAMPSTEAD RD, N.W.

LONDON.

[‘28’ is described as ‘Best Single Primed Bold Grain’ British canvas in the business’s May 1932 price list]

^ Michael

^ Unspecified

Illustrated: Charles Buchel, Sir John Martin-Harvey, 1918, drawing (National Portrait Gallery), frame label

Printed label:

John B. Smith, 117, HAMPSTEAD ROAD,

London, N.W.

Phone 2085 MUSEUM.

Illustrated: William Weekes (1856-1909), Lost in translation (Bonhams, Knightsbridge, 3 July 2018, lot 49) Also found with ‘O. W. Paper’ in place of ‘Whatman’s Paper’, and with small differences in typeface

Printed label, 14.9 cm wide, on board:

SMITH’S Specially Prepared Boards FOR PROCESS WORK,

Made in Quarter, Half, and Imperial Sizes, COVERED WITH Whatman’s Paper

117, HAMPSTEAD ROAD, LONDON, N.W. Factories: 2 & 3, Prince of Wales Place.

Illustrated: Pierre Troubetskoy, William Gladstone, 1893 (National Portrait Gallery)

Stamp impressed in millboard:

SMITH, 117, HAMPSTEAD RD

http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O85233/ethel-irving-as-lady-frederick-painting-michael-frederick-howard/http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O85233/ethel-irving-as-lady-frederick-painting-michael-frederick-howard/http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O85233/ethel-irving-as-lady-frederick-painting-michael-frederick-howard/http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw04262/Sir-John-Martin-Harvey?LinkID=mp02993&rNo=1http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw04262/Sir-John-Martin-Harvey?LinkID=mp02993&rNo=1http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw02552/William-Ewart-Gladstone?LinkID=mp01789&displayNo=60&role=sit&rNo=49



John Bryce Smith Ltd

In business as John Bryce Smith Ltd 1922-65 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - S

Illustrated: Unknown artist, close to Camden Town School, Rural Landscape with Trees (Howard Goode)

Printed label, 10 cm wide, lower right corner of canvas board:

J. Bryce Smith Ltd., 117, HAMPSTEAD ROAD,

London, N.W.1.

Phone MUSEUM 2085

Illustrated: Henry Lamb, The Artist’s Wife, 1933 (Tate) Also found on: C.R.W. Nevinson, Soho, Twilight, c.1920 (Private coll.), also stamped: FRENCH CANVAS

Stamp on canvas:

PREPARED CANVAS J. BRYCE SMITH LTD

[11]7, HAMPSTEAD RD LONDON N.[W.1.]

N. Smith

Perhaps Nathaniel Smith


W.A. Smith

At this address 1871-80; also trading from Nottingham See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - S

Illustrated: Walter Crane, The Renaissance of Venus, 1877 (Tate) Also found on: Edward Clifford, George Gibbs, Baron Wraxall, Anthony Gibbs and Albina Gibbs, 1878 (Tyntesfield, National Trust)

Label, damaged, linear border, on stretcher:

ARTIST’S COLOURMAN W.A. SMITH LATE JOSEPH G[REEN]

CARVER & GILD[ER] ESTABLISHMENT [FOR PACKING]

FINE [ARTS] 14 CHARLES STR[EET, Middlesex Hospital.]

[W.]

Illustrated: George Frederic Watts, Mrs Arthur Sassoon, 1882 (Tate)

Stamp, 6 cm wide, double oval, on canvas:

[outer ring:] CARVER & GILDER

ARTISTS’ COLOURS [centre:]

W.A. SMITH 14, CHARLES STREET MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL

W.

http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/s/http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/lamb-the-artists-wife-n04749http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/lamb-the-artists-wife-n04749http://www.npg.org.uk/assets/files/pdf/research/D%20marks%201785-1831.pdfhttp://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/s/http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/crane-the-renaissance-of-venus-n02920http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/crane-the-renaissance-of-venus-n02920http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/watts-mrs-arthur-sassoon-n04449



Alexander Spicker

At this address 1881-84 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - S

Successor to John Reeves, see above


Stencil, 11.8 cm wide, rounded top, on canvas:

ALEX . SPICKER LATE

J.REEVES. Artists Colorman

6. WHITFIELD ST. TOTTENHAM CT. ROAD

LONDON

James Tillyer

In business 1861-83 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - S under Sherborn

Successor to Sherborn & Tillyer, see above; later from 1884 James Tillyer & Co



J. TILLYER -----

ARTISTS COLORMAN 321

OXFORD ST.

[at 321 Oxford St 1861-81]

William Urquhart

At these addresses 1884-1908 and later See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - U

Illustrated: Thomas Somerscales, Hove-to for a Pilot, off the River Plate, 1895 (Private coll., information from Gibbs Appraisals Ltd, Ottawa, May 2013)

Stamp on canvas:

W. URQUHART 157, HIGH STREET

NOTTING HILL GATE 327, EDGWARE RD, LONDON W.

Canvas [??] ……..

Illustrated: ‘Briscoe’, Moorland Cattle 1906, source: Cathy Proudlove, see note 2.

Stamp on canvas:

W. URQUHART, NOTTING HILL GATE,

LONDON W.

http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/s/http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/s/http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/u



Aug. Walker

In business 1897-1922 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - W

Illustrated: Frederick Lewis, Hugh Reginald Haweis, 1913 (National Portrait Gallery)

Stamp on canvas:

AUG. WALKER, 118, NEW BOND STREET,

W.

William Ward



Waring & Dimes

In business 1840-42 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - C under Cowen & Waring

Successor to Cowen & Waring, followed by Dimes & Elam, see Part 2, A to D of this guide

Illustrated: William Henry Knight, Children outside a Cottage (Christie’s, 16 July 1976, lot 130)

Stencil, 9.4 cm wide, oval format, on panel:

WARING & DIMES, MANUFACTURERS,

91 Gt. Russell St. LONDON.

Illustrated: ‘Morland’, A Shepherd (Sotheby's Belgravia, 8 July 1975, lot 83) Also found on: Joseph Court, Pauline Hortet, 1844, partly hidden

by stretcher bar, additionally stamped: ‘India Rubber Prepared/ CANVAS’ (Private coll., Paris, repr. Labreuche, fig.4, see note 6)


WARING & DIMES, MANUFACTURERS,

91, Gt Russell St. BLOOMSBURY,

LONDON.

Illustrated: Edward Pritchett, Figures on the Piazzetta, Venice (Christie’s, 16 July 1976, lot 45)

Label, 9.8 cm wide, linear border, on board:

IMPROVED MILLED BOARDS AND PANELS,

FOR OIL PAINTING, PREPARED BY

WARING AND DIMES, 91, GT. RUSSELL ST. BLOOMSBURY,

LONDON. [not line-for-line:] Manufacturers of Improved India Rubber Canvas, Superfine Oil and/ Water Colors,

and every requisite for the Fine Arts.

Charles Henry West


http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/w/http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp02090/hugh-reginald-haweishttp://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp02090/hugh-reginald-haweishttp://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/w.phphttp://www.npg.org.uk/assets/files/pdf/research/D%20marks%201785-1831.pdfhttp://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/c/http://www.npg.org.uk/assets/files/pdf/research/D.marks2_A_D.pdfhttp://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/w/



Illustrated: Arthur Streeton, Nasturtiums, 1912 (National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne) Click on link for a larger image of stencil.

Stencil on canvas:

C. H. WEST 115, FINCHLEY ROAD

N.W

[at 115 Finchley Road 1895-1901]

Illustrated: John Collier, George Smith, 1901 (National Portrait Gallery)

Stamp on canvas:

CHAS. H. WEST, 115, FINCHLEY ROAD.

Illustrated: Denis Eden, Still Life of Flowers, 1908 (Sotheby's Belgravia, 11 March 1975, lot 132)


CHAS. H. WEST, 117, FINCHLEY ROAD.

[at 117 Finchley Road 1902-47]

Illustrated: Charles Sims, The Sands at Dymchurch, c.1920-2 (Tate)

Label, with rampant lion, annotated in pen 754/3, on stretcher:

Telephone–HAMPSTEAD 465. From CHAS. H. WEST, Artists’ Colourman & Picture Frame Maker.

Illustrated: Philippe Ledoux, Sir William Reid Dick, exh. 1934 (National Portrait Gallery) Also found on canvas:

Stanislawa De Karlowska, Berkeley Square, c.1935 (Tate)

Stamp, within oval, on stretcher bar:

CHAS. H. WEST Artists Colorman & Picture Framer

117 FINCHLEY RD., LONDON, N.W.3

[at 117 Finchley Road, with postal code NW3 1917-47]

John Wikey


For Wikey see Part 1, 1785-1831 of this guide; followed by Joseph Harvey, see Part 5, E to N.

John Elkins Williams

At 4 Church St, Kensington, 1900-13 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - W

Probably John Elkins Williams, rather than his father, Albert Williams

Illustrated: Joseph Wolf, unspecified work, source: Cobbe coll., see note 2.

Stamp, palette-shaped, on canvas:

THE GOLDEN PALATTE WILLIAMS

ARTISTS’ COLORMAN FAMILY OILMAN CHURCH STR? KENSINGTON

http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/explore/collection/work/3054/http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/sims-the-sands-at-dymchurch-n05348http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/sims-the-sands-at-dymchurch-n05348http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/de-karlowska-berkeley-square-n04816http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/w.phphttp://www.npg.org.uk/assets/files/pdf/research/D%20marks%201785-1831.pdfhttp://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/w/



Winsor & Newton Ltd

In business since 1832 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - W

For this business’s marks, see Parts 10 and 11 and note 7.

Cecil William Wood


Followed by Wood & Co, see below

Illustrated: S.J. Clark, unspecified work, 1872, source: Cobbe coll., see note 2.

Stencil, oval format, 11.5 cm wide, on canvas:

FROM CECIL W WOOD

---- 190 Brompton Road

--- LONDON SW

Wood & Co


Illustrated: Frederick Barwell, William Bell Scott, 1877 (National Portrait Gallery)

Stencil on canvas:

FROM WOOD & Co

190 BROMPTON ROAD

LONDON SW

Illustrated: Edward Poynter, Outward Bound, 1886 (Tate) For examples, 1882-86, see note 8.


FROM WOOD & Co.

-- 190 – BROMPTON ROAD

-- -- LONDON S.W.

Percy Young

In business 1882-1920 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - Y

Illustrated: A. Dodd, unspecified work, 1886, source: Cobbe coll., see note 2. Also found on:

Charles Thomas Burt (d.1902), Ducks rising from a Windswept Lock (Sotheby’s Belgravia, 7 May 1974, lot 199)


[image of University College, Young’s trade mark]

PERCY YOUNG SLADE SCHOOL FINE ART DEPÔT

137, Gower Street, London. W.C.

http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/w/http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/w/http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/w/http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw08255/William-Bell-Scotthttp://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw08255/William-Bell-Scotthttp://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/poynter-outward-bound-n01948http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/poynter-outward-bound-n01948http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/y



Ilustrated: Mark Gertler, The Tea Pot, 1918 (Tate) Also found on: William Orpen, George C. Beresford, 1905 (National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne) Click for an image of stamp. Gilbert Spencer, The Crucifixion, 1915 (Tate)


PERCY YOUNG, GOWER STREET,

LONDON. W.C.

Illustrated: Simeon Solomon, The Moon and Sleep, 1894 (Tate), with another stamp, see below.

Stamp impressed in stretcher: YOUNG GOWER ST. LONDON. W.C.

^ rubbing

Illustrated: Mark Gertler, Merry-Go-Round, 1916 (Tate)

Illustrated below: William Orpen, Lottie and the Baby, 1907 (Walker Art Gallery) Also found on: Simeon Solomon, The Moon and Sleep, 1894 (Tate), with another stamp, see above. William Orpen, Night (no. 2), 1907 (National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne) Click for an image of stamp, same or very similar.

Stamp, second line 4.3 cm wide, impressed in stretcher:

YOUNG 137 GOWER ST WC

Young & Marten

In business as Young & Marten by 1884-99 See British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - Y

Followed by Young & Marten Ltd

Illustrated: Harold Percival, The Ship 'Zuleika' of Leith, 1897 (Trinity House, Maritime Museum, Leith, Edinburgh, information from Ailsa Murray, 2010)

Mark on canvas:

YOUNG & MARTEN DEALER IN

ARTISTS’ MATERIALS AT STORE PRICES

STRATFORD LONDON E …

Image unavailabe

Notes For an historical survey with time chart and map, see Cathy Proudlove, ‘Technical focus: suppliers’ marks and labels’, The Picture Restorer: The Journal of the British Association of Painting Conservator-Restorers, no.55, autumn 2019. 1. Acknowledgments: With thanks to Dr Joyce Townsend for providing information on paintings in Tate,

collected by members of the Tate Conservation Department since the 1970s, Dr Tim Moreton, who for many years recorded canvas markings on the reverse of portraits at the National Portrait Gallery, and

http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/gertler-the-tea-pot-n05835http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/gertler-the-tea-pot-n05835http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/explore/collection/work/4232/http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/explore/collection/work/4232/http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/solomon-the-moon-and-sleep-t01719http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/solomon-the-moon-and-sleep-t01719http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/gertler-merry-go-round-t03846http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/gertler-merry-go-round-t03846http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/explore/collection/work/4231/http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/yhttps://artuk.org/discover/artworks/the-ship-zuleika-of-leith-94517/view_as/grid/search/keyword:zuleika/page/1https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/the-ship-zuleika-of-leith-94517/view_as/grid/search/keyword:zuleika/page/1

Nicola Costaras for access to conservation files at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Thanks also to Cyndie Lack for providing images.

2. Earlier research: In the early 1970s, Cathy Proudlove (née Leach) distributed copies of her unpublished list of artists’ colourmen. In the course of her professional career at the former Area Museums Service for South East England and with Norfolk Museums Service, Cathy has seen and recorded, or been sent by professional colleagues, details of many suppliers’ marks and labels, some from private collections. She has published on the subject: ‘19th Century Prepared Artists’ Canvases’, Antique Collecting, July 1973, pp.2-4, and ‘London Artists’ Colourmen. Part I: A to D’, The Picture Restorer, no.10, autumn 1996.

For a period, 1974-77, Alec Cobbe arranged for marks on paintings in sales at Sotheby’s Belgravia and Christie’s to be photographed (see his article on Winsor & Newton, Studies in Conservation, vol.21, no.2, May 1976, p.94). The photographs were later acquired by the late Richard Kissack, who planned to publish a book. Eventually he gave them to Cathy Proudlove, and images deriving from this collection have been reproduced when an image from a public collection has not been found. This applies especially to some of the smaller suppliers. It has not always proved possible to identify the particular painting photographed in the sale room. The use of a question mark following a lot number indicates slight uncertainty in an identification.

3. Courtauld Institute database: A searchable database, Courtauld - Colourmen Online, was launched in 2011 and was frequently consulted in the preparation of the current compilation.

4. John Reeves: Ford Madox Brown recorded getting millboards and canvas for studies from Reeves in October 1847 (see Virginia Surtees (ed.), The Diary of Ford Madox Brown, 1981, p.10).

5. Patrick Shea, under Alfred Glendening: Examples of the stamp can be found on pictures dating to 1902-17: Alfred A. Glendening, The Thames at Marlow, 1902 (Bonham's, 17 November 1994, lot 78), Walter Richard Sickert, Mrs Barrett, 1906 (Courtauld Institute of Art, see Courtauld - Colourmen Online database) and Walter Richard Sickert, Ennui, c.1917-18 (Ashmolean Museum).

6. Waring & Dimes: See Pascal Labreuche, ‘India Rubber Painting Grounds in Britain and France in the Nineteenth Century’, Studies in Conservation, vol.56, 2011, pp.14-30.

7. Winsor & Newton: For this business’s canvas marks, see Alec Cobbe, ‘Colourmen's Canvas Stamps as an Aid to Dating Paintings: A Classification of Winsor and Newton Canvas Stamps from 1839-1920’, Studies in Conservation, vol.21, no.2, 1976, pp.85-94, available at http://www.jstor.org/stable/1505750 , and Rosamond D. Harley, Artists' Prepared Canvases from Winsor & Newton 1928-1951, Studies in Conservation, vol.32, no.2, 1987, pp.77-85, available at http://www.jstor.org/stable/1506295 .

8. Wood & Co, under Edward Poynter: Examples of the stamp can be found on pictures dating to 1882-86: Charles Lutyens, Hunting Scene, 1882 (Private coll., see note 2), Sydney Prior Hall, The Three Daughters of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, 1883 (National Portrait Gallery, information from Polly Saltmarsh) and Edward Poynter, Outward Bound, 1886 (Tate).

Copyright in this compilation, © National Portrait Gallery, London, September 2017, February 2020; copyright in individual images lies with owner, photographer or commissioner as may

apply. Freely downloadable for research and personal use.
http://colourmenstamps.courtauld.ac.uk/http://colourmenstamps.courtauld.ac.uk/http://www.jstor.org/stable/1505750http://www.jstor.org/stable/1506295

Documents

British canvas, stretcher and panel suppliers’ marks. Part ... · courtesy John Payne) Stencil on canvas: JOHN REEVES. ARTISTS COLORMAN 2. JOHN ST TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD [at 2 John