W. Avery & Son Data
The detailed data on this page was used to create the statistical information referenced on this website. Only needle cases that contain the W. Avery & Son name or were designed/patented by Avery are covered on this page. Additional detailed data can be found on the following pages: Needle Manufacturer Data, Designer/Patentee Data, Licensee/Agent Data .
The data listed below is based on four main sources: 1) design registrations at the National Archives in Kew, UK and patent documents at the Business and Intellectural Property Centre at the British Library in London and Sheffield, UK; 2) information received from collectors via the Avery Survey; 3) needle cases sold on eBay or mentioned on other internet websites; and 4) data included on the Master List in Horowitz and Mann’s book entitled Victorian Brass Needlecases.
Data is listed below first by category then in alphabetic order based on the needle case design name. Within each category there are subcategories that show whether the design/patent was registered to and/or signed by Avery. For each category there is a total which indicates the number of designs found in that category. What follows is a list of individual needle case designs that make up that total including the year the item was designed or patented if known.
When a design is only found with one company name, the words “exclusive” is placed next to the needle case name. Designs that are only signed by Avery and one of his licensees are marked “Avery & licensee”. Items marked “per Horowitz and Mann” indicate the only source of the information is from Horowitz and Mann’s book.
In you have or know of any other Avery style needle cases that are not listed here, please contact us.
Totals
Total Patented by Avery = 122 (5 patent only)
Total Signed by Avery = 128
Total Signed Exclusively by Avery = 74
Figural Patented by Avery = 64 (5 patent only)
Figural Signed by Avery = 92
Figural Signed Exclusively by Avery = 54
Flat-Names Patented by Avery = 29
Flat-Names Signed by Avery = 27
Flat-Names Signed Exclusively by Avery = 16
Quadruples Patented by Avery = 21
Quadruples Signed by Avery = 6
Quadruples Signed Exclusively by Avery = 3
Demi-Quads Patent by Avery = 8
Demi-Quads Signed by Avery = 3
Demi-Quads Signed Exclusively by Avery = 0
Figural
57 - Designed/Patented and Signed by Avery (33 exclusive = no examples have been found with a name other than Avery’s)
Arc de Triomphe-1879 (exclusive)
Archery Society-1876
Arctic Sledge-1878 (exclusive)
Bee Case-1872
Beehive Skep-1879 (exclusive)
Bird’s Nest Pin Case-1873 (exclusive)
Bombe-1872
Butterfly-1871
Butterfly Box - Oval Tub-1872
Butterfly Box - Diamond-1872
Butterfly on Morning Glory-1876 (exclusive)
Camp Kettle-1877
Chair-1876 (exclusive)
Cleopatra’s Needle-1877
Coal Scuttle-1877
Cock Robin’s Grave-1880 (exclusive)
Drum-1876
Eiffel Tower-1888 (exclusive)
Elephant with Howdah-1880 (exclusive)
Fir Cones-1873 (exclusive)
Gothic Coffer-1890 (exclusive)
Guitar-1878
Hat Box-1879 (exclusive or not signed)
Hedgehog-1872 (exclusive or not signed)
Hedgehog Needle and Pin Case-1872
Invalid Chair-1878 (exclusive)
Kindling Box-1878
Ladies Companion-1869
Lighthouse with Boat-1878 (exclusive)
Lion Lying on Plinth-1880 (exclusive)
Maltese Cross with Folding Arms-1875 (exclusive)
Metallic Pin Box-1873 (exclusive)
Oval Tub - Diamond Jubilee-1872 (exclusive)
Oval Tub - Kaiser Wilhelm I Bust-1872 (exclusive)
Oval Tub - Ladies Portrait Bust-1872 (exclusive)
Oval Tub - Scott’s Monument-1872 (exclusive)
Oval Tub - Scott’s Portrait Bust-1872 (exclusive)
Peacock-1873 (exclusive)
Postal Weight-1876
Punch and Judy Theater-1882 (exclusive)
Pyramid Pin Case-1872
Queen’s Footstool-1875
Scallop Shell-1871
Shakespeare’s Birthplace - Large-1873 (exclusive)
Shakespeare’s Birthplace - Small-1873
Sheaf of Wheat-1873 (exclusive or, not signed per Horowitz and Mann)
Shield with Bird-1873 (exclusive)
Shield with Ladies Portrait Bust-1873 (exclusive)
Shield with Rose-1873 (exclusive)
Shield with Stag Head-1873 (exclusive)
Swan-1873 (exclusive)
Temple Bar-1878
Universal Pin Case-1871
Valentine-1872 (exclusive)
Walnut on Leaf-1873
Wishing Well-1876
Work and Game Table-1876
2 - Designed/Patented by Avery but Not Signed by Avery
Fish-1871 (unsigned)
Leaning Tower of Pisa-1879 (signed by Mappin Bros)
5 - Designed/Patented by Avery but No Examples Found (patented only, perhaps never manufactured)
Butterfly Box – Semi-Circle-1873
Cannon-1872
Fish with Scallop Shell-1872
Rolling Pin-1887
Swan Needle and Pin Case-1872
26 - Designed/Patented by Others and Signed by Avery (12 exclusive = only found with Avery’s name. 8 Avery & Licensee = only found signed by Avery and one of Avery’s licensees)
Beef Serving Cart-1885 (Buncher & Haseler) (exclusive)
Bird on a Box-1873 (Henry Jenkins & Sons)
Butter Churn-1874 (Buncher & Haseler) (exclusive)
Butterfly Filigree-1869 (Henry Jenkins & Sons)
Crab on Platter-1885 (Buncher & Haseler) (exclusive)
Cradle-1875 (Buncher & Haseler) (Avery & licensee)
Dog in Kennel-1875 (Coggins & Baxter) (exclusive)
Dog on Plinth-1873 (Bancroft Brothers) (exclusive or not signed)
Donkey with Panniers-1879 (J. M. Farnol) (exclusive, not signed per Horowitz and Mann or not signed)
Easel - Diamond Jubilee-1875 (Buncher & Haseler) (exclusive)
Easel - Floral-1875 (Buncher & Haseler) (Avery & licensee)
Golden Cart-1877 (Buncher & Haseler) (Avery & licensee)
Horseshoe-1874 (Buncher & Haseler) (Avery & licensee)
Lap Desk - Floral-1876 (Coggins & Baxter) (exclusive)
Looking Glass-1877 (Coggins & Baxter) (exclusive signed by Avery or not signed)
Park Chair-1876 (Coggins & Baxter) (exclusive signed by Avery per Horowitz and Mann or not signed)
Penny Stamp-1874 (Buncher & Haseler)
Penny Stamp - Rowland Hill-1874 (Buncher & Haseler) (exclusive)
Picnic Basket-1875 (Buncher & Haseler) (Avery & licensee)
Sewing Beetle on Plinth (Bancroft Brothers) (exclusive)
Trolley and Box-1877 (F. Kendrick) (Avery & licensee)
Trunk with Grain and Straps-1879 (Charles James Carr) (signed by Avery per Horowitz and Mann)
Victorian Rowboat-1874 (Buncher & Haseler)
Wheelbarrow with Holly-1874 (Buncher & Haseler) (Avery & licensee)
Wheelbarrow with Roses-1874 (Buncher & Haseler) (Avery & licensee)
Windmill-1873 (Coggins & Baxter) (exclusive)
9 - Signed by Avery however Design/Patent has Not Been Found (9 exclusive = no example has been found with a name other than Avery’s)
Carpet Bag (exclusive)
Dog Carrying Woven Basket (exclusive)
Goat with Panniers (exclusive)
Lap Desk - Diamond Jubilee (exclusive)
Lap Desk - Oval Cartouche
Lap Desk - Royal Portrait Busts (exclusive)
Rose Pin Case (exclusive)
Sedan Chair (exclusive)
Star (exclusive)
Flat-Names
25 - Designed/Patented and Signed by Avery (12 exclusive = no examples have been found with a name other than Avery’s)
Alliance-1870
Athena Golden-1869
Britannia-1870
Constance-1871 (exclusive)
Cupid’s Casket-1872 (exclusive)
Diana-1871 (exclusive)
Duplex-1870
Floral Bouquet Pincer-1870 (exclusive)
Florence-1870
Golden Casket - Diamond-1868 & 1884 (exclusive)
Golden Casket - Fountain-1868 & 1884 (exclusive)
Golden Needle Case-1868 & 1884 (signed by Avery per Horowitz and Mann)
Louise - Square-1870
Metallic Casket-1868 & 1884 (exclusive)
Needle Casket-1868 (exclusive)
Patent Lever-1868 (exclusive)
Revolving-1871
Royal with Vase-1869
Royal with Crystal Palace-1869 (exclusive)
Silver Casket - Diamond-1868 & 1884 (4 versions exclusive)
Silver Casket - Flowers-1868 & 1884 (4 versions exclusive)
Silver Casket - Headless Cross-1868 & 1884 (4 versions exclusive)
Silver Casket - Toronto-1868 & 1884 (4 versions exclusive)
Silver Needle Case-1868 & 1884 (signed by Avery per Horowitz and Mann)
Stella Golden-1869
4 - Designed/Patented by Avery - Exclusive Licensees (not signed by Avery)
Christmas Pincer-1870 (signed exclusively by Pratt & Farmer)
Minerva Lever-1868 (signed exclusively by Copestake, Moore, Crampton & Co)
Minerva Pincer-1870 (signed exclusively by Copestake, Moore, Crampton & Co)
Victorian with Windmill and Horse-1870 (signed exclusively by Baggallays, Westall & Spence)
1 - Designed/Patented by Others and Signed by Avery (1 exclusive = no examples have been found with a name other than
Avery’s)
Nosegay-1872 (J. Fenton) (exclusive)
1 - Signed by Avery however Design/Patent has Not Been Found (1 exclusive= no examples have been found with a name
other than Avery’s)
Pocket Pin Case (exclusive)
Quadruples
6 - Designed/Patented and Signed by Avery (3 exclusive = no examples have been found with a name other than Avery’s)
Diamond Jubilee-1868 (exclusive)
Golden Casket - Butterfly on Leaf-1868
Golden Casket - Fleur-de-Lis-1868
Liverpool Exposition 1886-1868 (exclusive or, not signed per Horowitz and Mann)
Nickel Silver - Plain with no decoration-1868
Unknown Exhibition Building-1868 (exclusive)
15 - Designed/Patented by Avery - Exclusive Licensees (not signed by Avery)
Building-1868 (signed exclusively by Asser & Sherwin)
Eclectic - Bent Arm in Oval-1868 (signed exclusively by H. Milward & Sons and, signed by J. & G. Morton per Horowitz and Mann)
Eclectic - Bent Arm on Shield-1868 (signed exclusively by H. Milward & Sons)
Eclectic - Lion on Shield-1868 (signed exclusively by Cochran McLean)
Gay & Son version-1868 (signed exclusively by Gay & Son)
Golden Casket - Bent Arm with Wreath-1868 (signed exclusively by Cook-Son & Co)
Lady Mayoress of London-1868 (signed exclusively by G. H. Johnstone & Co)
Minerva Lever Casket-1868 (signed exclusively by Copestake, Moore, Crampton & Co)
Needle Casket - Fleur-de-Lis-1868 (signed exclusively by R. Turner & Co)
Sterling Silver - Christmas Gift-1868 (not signed)
Sterling Silver - Crest with Flower-1868 (signed exclusively by D. & M.)
Sterling Silver - Floral Pattern-1868 (signed exclusively by G. C. H & Co)
Sterling Silver - Geometric pattern-1868 (signed exclusively by G. C. H & Co)
Sterling Silver - Plain with no decoration-1868 (signed exclusively by G. C. H & Co)
Sterling Silver - Scroll pattern-1868 (signed exclusively by G. H. Johnstone)
Demi Quads
3 - Designed/Patented and Signed by Avery (exclusive 0 = no examples have been found with a name other than Avery’s)
Christmas-1869
Helen - Maltese Cross-1869
Helen - Portrait and Rose-1869
5 - Designed/Patented by Avery - Exclusive Licensees (not signed by Avery)
Cleopatra-1869 (signed exclusively by Pratt & Farmer)
Helen - Bent Arm with Wreath-1869 (signed exclusively by Cook-Son & Co)
Helen - Oval Decoration-1869 (signed exclusively by Hutton & Co)
Minerva-1869 (signed exclusively by Copestake, Moore, Crampton & Co)
Nilsson-1869 (signed exclusively by Ellis Howell & Son)
