This is the place to come to learn about Avery style needle cases.

Website Bibliography

In addition to the bibliographic material used in preparation of “My Avery Needle Case Collection”, the new sources listed below were also reviewed and analyzed in order to prepare the pages presented on this website.  Source data is divided into sections to make it easier to read.  The sections are:
City, Commercial and Trade Directories
Exhibition Catalogues
Other History, Journals and Misc
Patent Information and Journals
Companies – Agents/Licensees
Companies – Designers/Patentees (not needle manufacturers)
Companies – Needle Manufacturers
Genealogical Research - Avery Family History

City, Commercial and Trade Directories

The Birmingham & District and Sheffield & Rotherham Commercial List, 1876.  Available at books.google.com.   Lists the following companies:

The Business Directory of London, 1884.  Available at www.historicaldirectories.org under London.  Lists the following companies in Part 1: Alphabetic Section:

The Commercial Directory and Shippers’ Guide, Third Edition, 1871.  Available at books.google.com.   Lists the following companies:

The Commercial Directory and Shippers’ Guide, Ninth Annual Edition, 1877.  Available at books.google.com.  Lists the following companies:

Corporation General and Trades Directory of Birmingham and Wolverhampton, 1861.  Available at books.google.com.  Lists the following companies in the alphabetic section:

The Handbook to the Manufacturers & Exporters of Great Britain, 1870, edited by George Taylor Wright.  Available at books.google.com.  Lists the following companies:

Jones’s Mercantile Directory of the Iron District of South Staffordshire and East Worcestershire, 1865.  Available at www.historicaldirectories.org under Worcestershire.  Lists the following companies:

Kelly’s Directory of the Leather Trades - This work contains Every Trade Connected with the Above throughout England, Scotland and Wales, Third Edition, 1880.  Available at books.google.com.  Lists the following companies:

Kelly’s Directory of the Watch & Clock Trades 1880 – The Work includes Goldsmiths and Jewellers, Workers in Precious Metals, Manufacturers of Electro Plate, and General Fancy Trades, Third Edition.  Available at books.google.com.  Lists the following companies:

The Post Office Directory of Birmingham with Its Suburbs, 1867, edited by E. R. Kelly.  Available at www.historicaldirectories.org under Warwickshire.  Lists the following companies:

The Post Office Directory of Birmingham with Its Suburbs, 1878, edited by E. R. Kelly.  Available at books.google.com.  Lists the following companies (all Birmingham unless noted):

The Post Office London Directory for 1882.  Available at www.historicaldirectories.org under London.  Lists the following companies in the Part 2: Commercial and Professional Directory section: (note only companies that were not found in the 1884 London directory were searched):

The Post Office Directory of Worcestershire, 1876, edited by E. R. Kelly.  Available at www.historicaldirectories.org under Worcestershire.  Lists the following companies:

Trow’s New York (City) Directory, May 1872.  Available at books.google.com.  Lists the following individuals and companies:

Trow’s New York City Directory, May 1877.  Available at books.google.com.  Lists the following individuals and companies:

Exhibition Catalogues

London International Exhibition, 1873 - Popular Edition of the Official Catalogue.  Fine Art and Industrial Departments In One Volume.  Lists W. Avery and Son, Redditch, needles in metal cases and W. Bartleet & Sons, Abbey Mills, Redditch, needles, fish-hooks and fishing-tackle on page 140.  Available at books.google.com.

Melbourne International Exhibition 1880-1881 - Official Record Containing Introduction History of Exhibition Description and Exhibition and Exhibits Official Awards of Commissioners and Catalogue of Exhibits, 1882.  Available at books.google.com.  Lists the following exhibitors and award winners:

Official Catalogue of the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations, 1851.  Available at books.google.com.  Lists the following exhibitors:

Official Catalogue of the International Exhibition of 1876: Part I Main Building and Annexes - United States Centennial Commission.  Philadelphia.  Available at books.google.com.  Lists the following exhibitors:

Paris Universal Exhibition of 1878 Catalogue of the British Section Part I.  Available at books.google.com.  Lists the following exhibitors:

Paris Universal Exhibition 1889 – Official Catalogue of the British Section, 1889.  Available at books.google.com.  Lists the following exhibitors:

Reports on the Vienna Universal Exhibition, 1873, Part 1.  Available at books.google.com.  Lists the following exhibitors:

Other History, Journals and Misc

British Sterling – English Hallmarks, Irish Hallmarks & Scottish Hallmarks available at www.925-1000.com/british-marks.html in October 2012.

Christmas Number of the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News dated December 8, 1883 page 307 or 507.  Contains an advertisement for Thornhill’s Christmas List which includes a fan with mirror pin cushion which is occasionally listed incorrectly on eBay as an Avery needle case.  Available at www.antiquebox.org/guide/antique-box-makers in March 2013.

Clabburn, Pamela.  The Evolution of Sewing Tools 2. Needle cases and Boxes.  Antique Collecting Magazine, Vol. 17, No. 10, March 1983, pages 62-65.

Faudel-Phillips, Sir George Bart.  Biography available at www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/6039-faudel-phillips-sir-george-bart in early 2015.

Fan shaped pin cushion erroneously listed on eBay and in other places as an Avery needle case - referenced at www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-chatelaine-pin-wheel-15499594 in March 2013.

Hansen’s Auctioneers & Values - Winter Fine Art and Antique Sale, December 3, 2014.  Lot 133 was for a 9 carat gold Quadruple Casket needle case engraved “The Lady Mayoress of London 1896-1897” stamped G. H. Johnstone & Co, Birmingham 1897 in original velvet fitted case.

The Hospital, February 8, 1902.  Page x includes drawings of Leveson’s invalid chairs and carriages.  Available at books.google.com.

Pascoe, Charles E. A London Directory for American Travellers for 1874.  Available at books.google.com.  Lists the following companies:

Scott, Jean.  Needle Packet Holders: A Chronological Descriptions.  2006, revised 2012.  Available from the author.

Semley Auctioneers - Jewellery & Silver, Toys, Dolls & Nursery Items and 20th Century Decorative Art, December 6, 2014.  Lot 90 was for a silver Quadruple Casket Needle Case decorated with a crest with flower and stamped D & M Birmingham.

The Victorian History of the County of Worcester, Volume Two, 1906.  Available at books.google.com.  The section on Needles on pages 273-274 mentions the following companies: H. Milward & Sons, Holyoakes, Gould, Samuel Thomas, William Bartleet & Sons.

The Warehousemen and Drapers’ Trade Journal, Vol. III, 1874.  Available at books.google.com.  Lists the following individuals and companies:

Whitaker, Joseph.  An Almanack For the Year of Our Lord 1879.  Page lviii contains as advertisement for the “Favorite Needle Preserver” by Henry Clark & Co of London and Redditch. Available at books.google.com.

Wyman’s Commercial Encyclopaedia of Leading Manufacturers of Great Britain and Their Productions, 1888.  Pages 356 and 357 mentions Ernst Jahncke’s patents for metallic boxes, including oblong boxes and mitrailleuse needle cases.  (Note: One of Jahncke’s tin boxes was produced with the W. Avery & Son Redditch name on it.)  Available at books.google.com.

Patent Information and Journals

Bulletin des Lois de L'Empire Francais, XI Serie.  Published 1870 in Paris, France.  Lists patent #78,407 registered on November 9, 1867 by Theodore Givry of 54 Rue Reaumur, Paris.  This patent was for a "porte-aiguille systeme eventail" which according to Google Translate means "needle holder fan system".  Available at books.google.com.

The British Library Business and Intellectual Property Centre, London – Researched by London researcher Alan Bowgens from 2011-2013 and Terry Meinke in April 2015.  Copies of all patents were obtained from the library in Sheffield for the following companies:

Chronological and Descriptive Index of Patents Applied For and Patents Granted, Containing the Abridgements of Provisional and Completed Specifications for the Year 1872, with Indexes of Names and Subject-matter, 1873.  Page 560 mentions Theodore Givry, merchant of Paris, France, who was working with another British firm, John Garrett Tongue, to manufacture needle and perfumery boxes or cases.  Available at books.google.com.

Chronological Index of Patents Applied for and Patents Granted for the Year 1864, 1865.  Available at books.google.com.  Lists the following companies:

The Commissioners of Patents’ Journal 1880 Vol. I - January to June, 1880.  Available at books.google.com.  Lists the following companies:

The National Archives (TNA), Kew, UK.  Registers available at http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/   Design representations obtained by London researcher, Alan Bowgens, for hundreds of designs including the following companies:  Additional research was undertaken at TNA by Terry Meinke in April 2015.

The National Archives – Kew, London.  Ernst August Jahncke registered four metal box designs in the 1880’s: Useful Registered Design Number 6291 on May 15, 1880 and 6327 on Sept. 28, 1880 and registered ornamental metal designs 349928 on May 14, 1880 and 355645 on Sept. 24, 1880.

Patents for Inventions – Abridgement of Specifications Relating to Needles and Pins A.D. 1755-1866, 1871.  Available at books.google.com.  Lists the following companies:

Patents for Inventions – Abridgement of Specifications Class 112, Sewing and Embroidering. Period A.D. 1867-1876, 1904.  Page iv contains a subject matter index for needle cases.  Available at books.google.com.  Only metal needle cases are listed below.  Lists the following companies:

Subject-Matter Index of Patents Applied for and Patents Granted for the Year 1853, 1861.  Available at books.google.com.  Lists the following companies:

Subject-Matter Index of Patents for Inventions Issued by the United States Patent Office from 1790 to 1873, Inclusive, Vol. II, 1874.  Available at books.google.com.  Page 960-961 lists patents for all types of needles, needle-cases and needle related items including ones for the following companies:

United States Patent Office at www.uspto.gov/patents/process/search, search the USPTO Patent Full-Text and Image Database (Pat FT) - #208,676 dated October 8, 1878 by Thomas Fletcher of Redditch, assignor to Henry Clarke of London, England - Improvement in Needle-Cases (needle preserver).

Companies - Agents/Licensees

Asser & Sherwin - London

Asser and Sherwin - Available at www.chessreference.com/Sherwin/asserandsherwin.doc in March 2013.  This website no longer exists as of Sept. 15, 2013.

Asser and Sherwin - Games Manufacturer or Inventor - www.gamesboard.org.uk in March 2013

Asser and Sherwin Brass Needle Cases - The Thimble Society, Vol. 10, Issue 4, Spring 2009 page 5.  Available at http://content.yudu.com/Library/A19nmx/ThimbleSocietyofLond/resources/5.htm

Bradshaw’s Notes for Travellers in Tyrol and Vorarlberg, new edition, 1863. Available at books.google.com. Contains an Asser & Sherwin advertisement for wedding and birthday presents: dressing cases, travelling bags, etc page 51

Cutler – www.thefreedictionary.com

Dressing Case – www.thefreedictionary.com

Dressing Case – www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-dressing-case.htm

Sharpe, J.  The Archer’s Register: A Year Book of Facts for 1878-79, 1879.  Page 217 contains an advertisement for athletic sports, archery, etc. equipment by Asser & Sherwin.  Available at books.google.com.


Baggallays, Westall & Spence - London

Cases Argued and Determined Relating to the Poor Laws to Points in Criminal Law and Other Subjects Chiefly Connected with the Duties and Office of Magistrates … The Law Journal Reports, 1841.  Page 57 lists Richard Baggallay, Robert Spence, William Westall and John Baggallay of Love Lane as wholesale haberdashers.  Available at books.google.com.

The Economist Weekly Commercial Times … Vol. XLIII, 1886. January 3, 1885.  Page 15 lists the failure of Baggallays & Spence along with the firms history.  Available at books.google.com.

The Furniture Gazette an Illustrated Monthly Journal Treating of all Branches of Cabinet-Work, Upholstery, and Interior Decoration, Vol. XXIII, 1885.  January 3, 1885, page 2 and January 10, 1885.  Page 22 lists the company history of Baggallays & Spence.  Available at books.google.com.

The London Gazette.  Partnership dissolution on June 24, 1815, page 1290.  Available at www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/17032/pages/1290/page.pdf.

The London Gazette, July 26 1859.  Partnership dissolution on June 28, 1859, page 2918.  Available at www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/22292/pages/2918/page.pdf.

The London Gazette, August 26, 1881.  Partnership dissolution July 1, 1881, page 4408.  vailable at www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/25008/pages/4408/page.pdf.


Cochran, McLean & Co – New York

The Cochran’s of Kirkcudbright and New York. Includes information about Cochran, McLean & Co.  Available at http://www.kirkcudbright.co/historyarticle.asp?ID=222&p=19&g=4

George Austin Morrison.  Personal biography including mention of Groucock, Copestake, Moore & Co and Cochran, McLean & Co.  Available at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/america/newyork/bio35.htm

Dix, Scott Matthew.  Outlawed! How Anthony Comstock Fought and Won the Purity of a Nation, original printed in 1913 by Charles G. Trumbull, first printing of this edition 2013.  Page 50 mentions Cochran, McLean & Co as a wholesales dry goods and general merchandize firm.  Available at books.google.com.


Cook-Son & Co - London

Baronet definition – Available at Wikipedia in April 2013.

Cook, Son & Co – Available at Wikipedia in April 2013.

The Draper and Clothier – a Book of General Information, 1860.  Lists company on numerous pages including 17, 24, 122, 178, etc.  Available at books.google.com.

Francis Cook, 1st Viscount of Monserrate – Available at Wikipedia in April 2013.

The Illustrated London News, March 25, 1854.   Page 269 includes an engraving of the Cook, Son & Co warehouse at St. Paul’s Churchyard in London.  Purchased on eBay in 2015.

Sir Francis Cook – Available at http://jardimformoso.blogspot.com/2009/03/sir-francisc-cook-dnb.html in February 2013.

Viscount definition – Available at Wikipedia in April 2013.

Warehouseman definition – Available at Wikipedia in April 2013.


Copestake, Moore, Crampton & Co - London

Allen, A. P.  The Ambassadors of Commerce, 1885.  Pages 226-240 contains George Moore’s biography. Available on books.google.com.

Copestake, Crampton Et Al – www.angelfire.com/pr/perfinsoc/abstracts/2446.pdf

Copestake, Moore & Co - www.nottshistory.org.uk/monographs/mellors1924/manufacturers1.htm

The Firm of a Merchant Prince - George Moore’s Business- http://www.mealsgate.org.uk/firm-of-a-merchant-prince.php

George Moore - http://www.mealsgate.org.uk/george-moore.php

Hayley, R. M.  Biographies of Great and Famous Men and Women of the Present Period, 1881.  No pages numbers listed.  Includes a biography of George Moore.  Available on books.google.com.

The Innkeeper and Traveller: Organ of Intercommunication and Journal of Information and Amusement for the Proprietors and Visitor of Hotels, Inns, Taverns, Coffee, Dining, and Boarding Houses, 1861.  Pages 139-141 reference Copestake.  Available on books.google.com.

Minerva – Available on Wikipedia in April 2013.

Monument to Sampson Copestake, London – gohistoric.com/sites/monument-sampson-copestake-london

Needle cases - http://www.mealsgate.org.uk/needlework-cases.php

Sampson Copestake - - www.nottshistory.org.uk/articles/mellorsarticles/radford7.htm

Smith, G. Barnett.  Eminent Christian Workers of the Nineteenth Century, 1893.  Lists George Moore on pages 322-324.  Available on books.google.com.


Cormack Brothers - London

The ABC Court Directory and Fashionable Guide for 1871 Including London and the Twelve Mile Radius.  Page 262 includes as advertisement for Cormack Brothers famous leather bag, desk, dressing case, cutlery, bible, prayer book and church service warehouse in London.  Available at books.google.com.

The Bookseller a Newspaper of British and Foreign Literature, July 3, 1879.  Page 601 lists the death of Mr. William Wadham Cormack, age 39 of 37 Ludgate Hill, Stationer on June 29, 1879.  Available at books.google.com.

The Law Reports Supreme Court of Judicature - Cases Determined in the Queen’s Bench Division, Vol. XIX, 1887.  Page 223-228 discusses the case of Odell v. Cormack Brothers which lists the partnership as between Margaret Cormack and George Balfour Cormack prior to 1882.  Available at books.google.com.

The London Gazette, February 18, 1887, page 872.   Notice to creditors relating to the estate of William Wadham Cormack of 37 Ludgate which lists Margaret Cormack as his widow.  Available at www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/25674/pages/872/page.pdf


Ellis, Howell & Co – London (aka John Howell & Co)

Boase, Frederic.  Modern English Biography: A-H, 1892.  Page 1558 includes a short biography of John Howell of Ellis, Howell & Co.  Available at books.google.com.

Ellis, Wynne.  Describes John Howell’s life as a haberdasher, hosier and mercer and that his company became John Howell & Co after his retirement in 1871.  Available on Wikipedia.


J. & T. Forgie - Glasgow

Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1866, 1867 arranged in three Divisions, General, Street, and Commercial, 1866.  Page 144 lists John Forgie (at T. Forgie’s) and Thos. Forgie as a desk and dressing case maker.  In adition, T. Forgi is listed on page 542 as a dressing-case manufacturer and on page 574 as a jeweller.  Available on books.google.com.


G. C. H & Co (aka G. C. Haseler & Co) – Birmingham

Company’s silver hallmark and company mark - www.silvermarkersmarks.co.uk

The National Archives, Kew, UK.  46 designs for jewelry (brooch, chatelaine, earrings, locket, pendant, pin or other personal ornament) were registered to G. C. Haseler and Co of 19 Vittoria Street, Birmingham between 1854 and 1883.  Available at http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/


G. R. & Co

Birmingham, History and General Directory of the Borough of Birmingham, 1849.  Page 35 describes G. R. Collis & Co’s gold, silver and plated ware showrooms on Church Street.  Available on books.google.com.

International Exhibition 1862 Official Catalogue of the Industrial Department, Third Edition.  Page 101 lists Collis, G. R. & Co of 130 Regent Street (London) as silver and electro-plated services.  Available at books.google.com.

The Merchant Shippers of London, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Hull, 1868.  Page 198 lists Wills, G. R. & Co of 1 New Basinghall Street, London, as a drapery goods merchant from London.  Available on books.google.com.


Gay & Son - London

Bradshaw, George. Bradshaw's Notes for Travellers in Tyrol and Vorarlberg, New Edition.  Stamped Nov. 1882 Bibliotheca Bodleiana.  The advertisement on page 89 in advertisement section mentions Gay and Sons, London and shows examples of their dressing c ases.


R. Holt – French Court Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace - Guide to the Palace and Park by Authority of the Directors 1871-72.  Pages 15-16 describe the French Court occupied by Mr. R. Holt which sold fancy manufactures for ornament and everyday use.  Available at books.google.com.

The Weekly Notes: Being of Cases Heard and Determined by the House of Lords: The Court of Appeal, Part I, 1876.  Page 385 lists Robt B. Holt of French Court, Crystal Palace as a jeweler and dealer in fancy goods.  Available at books.google.com.


Johnson Hatchman & Co – London

The Commissioners of Patents Journal, 1872, by Great Britain Patent Office.  Page 703 lists Frederick Johnson and William Hatchman registered patent #815 Improvement in the manufacture of fabric for umbrellas dated March 18, 1872. Available at books.google.com.

The Economist, Sept 2, 1871.  Page 1061 mentions a strike at Johnson Hatchman & Co   Available at books.google.com.

The Milliner and Dressmaker and Warehouseman’s Gazette and Illustrated Journal of the New Modes, the Coming Fashions, and Latest Novelties, for Wholesale and Retail Drapers and Manufacturers in Town and County, January 1870.  Lists Johnson Hatchman and Co of London on page 3.  Available at books.google.com.

The National Archives, Kew, UK.  Registered Designs # 217496, 217497, 217498, 217499, 229886, 234275, 242086 were registered by Johnson Hatchman & Co of London mostly for lace and woven fabrics.  Available at http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/

United States Patent Office at www.uspto.gov/patents/process/search, search the USPTO Patent Full-Text and Image Database (Pat FT) - #108151 dated October 11, 1870 by Frederick Johnson of Wood Street and William Hatchman of Little Love Lane in London - Improvement in silk umbrellas.


Letts, Son & Co - London

Letts, Thomas.  Describes Letts, Son & Co as a maker of printed diaries.  Available on Wikipedia.


Mappin & Webb (Mappin Brothers) - London

Mappin & Webb.   Describes Mappin Bros as well as Mappin & Webb history as cutlers and makers of electroplated silverware.  Available on Wikipedia.

Mappin & Webb’s Catalogue of…Electro-Silver Plate…Table Cutlery… Plated Cutlery, 1881. Contains drawings of hundreds of items.  Available at books.google.com.


Melliship & Harris – Westbourne Grove, London

London, A Complete Guide to the Leading Hotels, Places of Amusement, Objects of Interest, Parks, Clubs, Markets, Docks, Principal Railway Routes, &c; also a Directory, 1872, page 131.  Lists Melliship & Harris in Westbourne Grove as stationers, engravers, printers, heraldic draughtsmen, manufacturers of dressing cases ad travelling bags, jewellers, and importers of foreign fancy goods.


Perry & Co Limited – London & Birmingham

Charles, A. A. S.  The Steel Pen Trade 1930-1980.  Lists Perry Pens Limited on page 4 and 6 as well as describes the pen nib m aking process.  Available at www.calligraphy.co.uk/about/asp in January 2013.

The National Archives, Kew, UK.  Registered Design #325870 was registered in 1878 by Perry & Co Ltd of Birmingham for a pen nib box in the shape of a Gladstone Bag which was incorrectly listed as a needle case in previous publications.  Available at http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/

The Pen Trade – Available at http://bobmiles.bulldoghome.com/pages/bobmiles_bulldgodhome_com/more pentrade.htm in January 2013.  Lists Perry & Co Ltd as a major pen makers in Victorian Birmingham.

Perry & Co – Available at Wikipedia for January 2013.

Perry and Co – Available at www.gracesguide.co.uk/Perry and Co in December 2012.

Perry & Co.’s Monthly Illustrated Price Current - A Medium of Inter-Communication for Merchants, Manufactures, Stationers & Dealers in Fancy Goods , Vol. 4 No. 43 - July 1871.  Needle cases are listed on pages 67, 69, 87, 116 and 136 (Alexandra. Beatrice, Gem, Eclectic, Fan with and without metal slides and Unique).  Provided to Terry Meinke by Larry Hanks, Chairman of the Pen Room Museum & Learning Centre, Birmingham, UK in a letter dated March 8, 2013.

Perry & Co.’s Monthly Illustrated Price Current - A Medium of Inter-Communication for Merchants, Manufactures, Stationers & Dealers in Fancy Goods , Vol. 9, No. 97 - January 1876.  Needle cases are listed on pages 73 and 109 (Gem, Eclectic, Fir Cone, Hedgehog, Peacock, Rose Pin and Shield).  Perry’s Eagle clip that Terry Meinke donated to the Pen Room Museum is listed on page 119.  Available on books.google.com.

Perry & Co.’s Monthly Illustrated Price Current - A Medium of Inter-Communication for Merchants, Manufactures, Stationers & Dealers in Fancy Goods , Vol. 15, No. 159 - January 1882.  Perry’s Eagle clip that Terry Meinke donated to the Pen Room Museum is listed on page 78.  No needle cases are listed in this edition. Available on books.google.com.

Stanyard, Robert.  The Pen Makers of Birmingham 1818-2011.  Available in the gift shop at the Pen Room Museum in Birmingham, UK.  Lists the following pen companies:


Pratt & Farmer – New York

The New York Times Obituaries, John H. Pratt - April 22, 1890.  Indicates the company E. C. Pratt & Brother became E. C. Pratt, Brother & Co and then in 1875 became Pratt & Farmer with John H. Pratt and George P. Farmer as partners in the firm.  Available at as a PDF at http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10B10F73E5F10738DDDAB0A94DC405B8085F0D3

The Trow Copartnership and Corporation Directory of the Boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx City of New York, 1909.  Page 630 mentions Pratt & Farmer Co. of N. Y. with William H. Farmer as president.  Available at books.google.com.


R. J. Roberts – New York

New York’s Great Industries Exchange and Commercial Review, Embracing also Historical and Descriptive Sketch of the City its Leading Merchants and Manufacturers, 1885.  Page 145 contains a description of R. J. Roberts’ parabola needles.  Available at books.google.com.


Sydney J. Saunders & Co – London

The Bookseller a Newspaper of British and Foreign Literature.  Page 573 dated July 3, 1876 contains information about Mr. Sydney J. Saunders recently of Letts and Co commencing business at 54 St. Mary Axe as a wholesale and export stationer.  Available on books.google.com.


Thomas Savage – London

The Bookseller a Newspaper of British and Foreign Literature.  Page 758 dated Aug. 5, 1887 and page 898 dated Sept. 3, 1887 contains information about the dissolution of the partnership between Lewis Henry Perry and Thomas George Savage of 355 Strand, listing them as dealers in stationery and fancy articles.  Available on books.google.com.


D. F. Tayler & Co – Birmingham & London

D. F. Tayler & Co. – Short history available of the pin manufacturer at http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/D._F._Tayler_and_Co


W. Whiteley - London

Biography of Mr. William Whiteley.  From St. Stephen’s Review, Feb 16, 1884.  Pages 1-8.  Available at books.google.com.

Lambert, Richard S.  The Universal Provider, 1938.  A 278-page biography of Whilliam Whiteley.

Porter, Roy.  London a Social History, 1994.  Page 201 describes Whiteley’s store in Westbourne Gove.  Available at books.google.com.

Stratmann, Linda.  Whiteley's Folly - The Life and Death of a Salesman, 2004.  A 276-page history of William Whiteley.

Times, Richard.  London A Cultural History, 2006.  Page 102 describes Whiteley’s store.  Available at books.google.com.

Whiteley, William.  Describes Whiteley as a draper and later a department store owner.  Available on Wikipedia.

Young, Neil.  Dictionary of National Biography - Second Supplement Vol. III, 1912.  Pages 652-653 contains a short biography of William Whiteley.  Available at books.google.com.

Companies – Designers/Patentees (who were not needle manufacturers)

Carr Brothers – Liverpool (aka Charles James Carr)

A. Green & Co.’s Directory for Liverpool & Birkenhead 1870 – Lists Carr Brothers as cutlers at 105 Dale Street on page 201 of the Trades Directory section, page 14 of the Advertisements section and page 459 of Trades and Professions section.  This address matches the one Charles James Carr used when he registered two needle case designs: 312625 and 337116.


J. M. Farnol – Birmingham

The Furniture Gazette an Illustrated Weekly Journal Treating of All Branches of Cabinet-Work, Upholstery, and Interior Decoration, Vol. XII, 1879.  Page 187 lists J. M. Farnol of Birmingham with letter patent #3510 for attaching door knobs to their spindles.  Available at books.google.com.


Albert Fenton – Redditch and Birmingham

Chronological Index of Patents Applied for and Patents Granted For the Year 1867, 1868.  Page 170 lists patent #2479 (1867) registered to Albert Fenton, machinist from Redditch, for improvements in machinery to manufacture fish hooks.  Available at books.google.com.

The Commissioners of Patents’ Journal 1877, Vol. II – July to December.  Page 516 mentions the voiding of patent #3004 dated in 1874 which includes Albert Fenton of Birmingham, machinist for the invention of improvements in corkscrews.  Page 964 lists patent #1715 dated 1877 registered by Albert Fenton of Birmingham for the improvement in castors for furniture.  Available at books.google.com.

Newton’s London Journal of Arts and Sciences, Vol. XXIII, 1866.  Page 53 lists patent #2673 registered to Albert Fenton of Redditch for improvements in machinery for manufacturing fish hooks.  Available at books.google.com.

Record of Failures & Liquidations in the Financial, International, Wholesale, and Manufacturing Branches of Commerce (including Drapers and Ironmongers) in the United Kingdom from 1865 to 1884, both inclusive.  Page 132 lists Albert Fenton, Redditch needle manufacturer, failed in 1874.  Available at books.google.com.

Companies – Needle Manufacturers

W. Avery & Son

Annuaire-Almanach du Commerce, de L’Industrie, 1862.  Page 601 lists Pierre Hebert at St. Marc, 27 as “ seul depot en France de William Avery et son, aiguilles, epingles et hamecons, a Redditch (Angleterra)” - sole depot in France of William Avery & Son, needles, pins and hooks, Redditch (England).  Available at books.google.com.

Avery, William.  Old Redditch Being an Early History of the Town from 1800-1850, 1887.  Reprinted and edited by Anne Bradford in 1999.  Copy of the original edition provided by Raymond McLaren.


The British Newspaper Archive at www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk.

The British Trade Journal, Vol XXIII, No.270, June 1, 1885.  The Antwerp International Exhibition.  Page 372 contains a brief article about Messrs. Avery & Co, Redditch which indicted Avery had a needle factory in Redditch and another where they manufactured cases at Banbury.  Available at books.google.com.

The Commissioners of Patents’ Journal 1879 Vol. I – January to June, 1879.  Available at books.google.com.  Lists the following companies:

The Commissioners of Patents’ Journal 1880 Vol. II – July to December, 1880.  Available at books.google.com.  Lists the following companies:

The Engineer, August 28, 1885.  Page 169 mentioned W. Avery & Sons, Redditch as winners of an award at the Antwerp Exhibition.  Available at books.google.com.

Gloger, Jo-Ann, Keeper of the Collections at the Forge Mill Needle Museum in Redditch.  Correspondence via email in March 2015 indicating there are records in the museum’s collection regarding Milward purchasing the Avery factory building and the John English company between 1899-1902.  Her assistant says there was a major fire in the buildings boiler room in 1917.

Historical maps of the Redditch and Headless Cross area from www.old-maps.co.uk.  Available in May 2015.

Jewitt, Llewellynn.  The Reliquary, Quarterly Archaeological Journal and Review, Vol. XIX 1878-79.  Page 51 contains a paragraph about W. Avery & Son needle cases.  Available at books.google.com.

The Mechanics’ Magazine and Journal of Engineering, Agricultural Machinery, Manufactures, and Shipbuilding.  Vol. VII., January to June 1862.  Page 172 dated March 7, 1862 lists #664 W. Avery under patents on which the third year’s stamp duty has been paid.  Available at books.google.com.

McLaren, Raymond, fish-hook researcher from Dartford. Kent, UK

Perry & Co.'s Illustrated Price Current - A Medium of Inter-Communication for Merchants, Manufactures, Stationers & Dealers in Fancy Goods, Vol. 7 No. 79, July 1874.  October 5, 1874, page 6, Windmill Needle Case.  Available at books.google.com.

The Practical Mechanic’s Journal Volume VII - Second Series April 1862-March 1863.  Page 28 lists patent #405 registered by William Avery of Birmingham involving screws, pins, rivets and nails.  Available at books.google.com. Note this is a different William Avery from the needle manufacturer from Redditch.  This William Avery worked for James & Son, Birmingham Screw Makers.

Redditch Indicator, Saturday May 23, 1936.  Headline “A Peep into the Past” which contained a photograph of a group of individuals at the Wesleyan Methodists Quarter meeting assembled at Park House, Headless Cross in June 1894 including W. Avery in the second row from the bottom, fourth from the right. Obtained from Raymond McLaren.

Report of His Majesty’s Commissioners for the Paris International Exhibition 1900 Vol. II, 1901.  Page 285 lists William Avery & Son, Headless Cross as the winner of a silver medal.  Available at books.google.com.

Stonehouse Close on Birchfield Road in Headless Cross - describes the Stonehouse Close complex and property at www.hanover.org.uk available early 2013.

United States Patent Office at www.uspto.gov/patents/process/search, search the USPTO Patent Full-Text and Image Database (Pat FT).  Patent #313,797 dated March 10, 1885 by William Avery & Son of Headless Cross, near Redditch, England, Manufacture of Metallic Needle-Cases.


William Bartleet & Sons - Redditch

Bartleet, Edgar R. S. History of a Needle, 1890.  Original edition obtained from Raymond McLaren.

The British Newspaper Archive at www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk - Sheffield Independent – Monday 17 June 1889, page 4.  Lists W. Bartleet and Sons of Abby Mills, Redditch as having an impressive display at the Paris Exposition of 1889.

William Bartleet & Sons - Short history available at http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/William_Bartleet_and_Sons


T. Johnson & Sons - Redditch

The National Archives, Kew, UK.  Registered Design #234664 was registered by T. Johnson & Sons in 1894, needle and small wares manufacturers from Redditch.  Available at http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/


H. Milward & Sons - Redditch

Henry Milward & Sons - Short history available at http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Henry_Milward_and_Sons


J. Welch & C. Laight - Redditch

Patents for Inventions Abridgements of Specifications Class 18 Boxes and Cases …, Period AD 1867-76, 1904.  Page 58 lists J. Welch and C. Laight patent #1287 and page 97 lists D. Leonardt and H. Hewitt patent #2855. Available at books.google.com.


R. Wyers - Redditch

The Commissioners of Patents’ Journal, 1880, Vol. 1 January - June by Great Britain Patent Office.  Page 561 lists design registration 346,907 dated February 25, 1880 by Richard Wyers of Redditch, possibly a needle case. Available at books.google.com.

Genealogical Research - Avery Family History

(NOTE: Additional Avery genealogical sources are listed in the Book Bibliogaphy.)

Accounts and Papers: Nineteen Volumes – 14 – Trade: Corn: Post Office: Postage.  Session 26 January – 22 June 1841, Vol. XXVI, 1841.  Lists needle and fish-hook manufacturers from Redditch as of November 14, 1840 on pages 257-258 including John Avery, James Avery & Co and Henry Avery.


Analysis of 1841 UK census information from findmypast.co.uk


Analysis of UK birth, marriage, death/burial information from findmypast.co.uk


Census records for Worcestershire and Warwickshire from findmypast.co.uk
1841 New End, Tardebigg, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England

1851 Evesham Street, Redditch, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England

1841 Evesham Street, Tardebigg, Bromsgove, Worcestershire, England

1851 Evesham Street, Redditch, Bromsgove, Worcestershire, England

1841 Headless Cross, Feckenham, Alcester, Worcestershire, England

1851 Bromsgrove Road, Feckenham, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire

1851 11 High Street, All Saints, Southampton, Hampshire, England

1841 Unicorn Hill, Tardebigg, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England

1851 Fish Hill, Redditch, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England

1841 Beoley Lane, Tardebigg, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England

1851 Beoley Lane, Redditch, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England

1841 McDonalds Lane Paradise Court, Manchester, Lancashire, England

1851 Meadow Lane, Leeds, Yorkshire, England

1891 Enville, Priory Road, Kings Norton, Worcestershire, England

1911 35 York Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England

1901 48, High Road Kilburn, Hampstead, London, England

1911 11 Rondu Road, Hampstead, London, England

1901 Derwent House, Borcham Road, Warminster Wiltshire, England

1911 19 Monson Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England


County Advertisements clipping dated 1876.  Advertisement on page 138 lists James Avery & Son of Redditch, needles, fish hooks, etc.  Received from Raymond McLaren, exact source unknown.


Directory of Redditch dated 1823 published in the local newspaper in 1923 (probably the Redditch Indictor) titled “Redditch a Century Ago” copy provided by Raymond McLaren of Dartford, UK.   Lists W. Avery & Son and James Avery & Co as the only Avery “needle factors” in the area, although there was another William Avery who was a smith.


Dorset Monumental Inscriptions Transcription from findmypast.co.uk


England & Wales Births 1837-2006 Transcription from findmypst.co.uk


England & Wales Deaths 1837-2006 Transcription from findmypst.co.uk


England & Wales Marriages 1837-2008 Transcription from findmypst.co.uk


England & Wales Non-conformist Births and Baptisms Transcriptions from findmypast.co.uk


England & Wales Non-conformist Burial Transcription from findmypast.co.uk


England, Births & Baptisms 1538-1975 Transcription from findmypast.co.uk


England Deaths and Burials 1538-1991 Transcription from findmypast.co.uk


England Marriages 1538-1973 Transcription from findmypast.co.uk


Forrester, Hilary.  William and Nancie: A Celebration of Marriage - The Story of William Wallace (1891-1976) and Nancie Hancox (1890-1978), their families, ancestors and descendants, and the times in which they lived.  This family history was written and published in 1990 by their daughter and includes information about John James Hancox (1872-1953) on pages 63, 64 and 142.


General Register Office, UK – Births - www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/default.asp


General Register Office, UK – Deaths - www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/default.asp


General Register Office, UK – Marriages - www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/default.asp


Hancox, J. J.  Family Notes, Great Alne, Wawickshire, 1947.  This Hancox family history was written by John James Hancock (1872-1953) and includes information about the Avery family (pages 14-20).  According to this document, the details regarding the births in the John Avery (1807-1865) family were provided to the author by his cousin, Charles Harold Avery (1867-1943) from the Avery family bible.  This family history was obtained through email correspondence in 2016 with Mr. Hancox's grandson, John Avery Hancox.  John Avery Hancox also provided the information about the children of Avery Stallard Hancox.


Information from other researchers


The Law Advertiser for the Year 1831 Vol. IX, No. 31 Thursday, August 4, 1831.  Page 279 dated March 11, 1831 lists a Partnership Dissolution for “William Avery and Son – viz William Avery and John Avery, late of Studley, Warwick, but now of Redditch, Worcestershire, needle and fish-hook manufacturers”.  This appears to be William Avery’s (1832-1899) father and grandfather.  Available at books.google.com.


The Leeds Intelligencer – Saturday 26 December 1840, page 8 lists the death of William Avery age 85 of the firm Avery & Son, needle manufactures at Redditch.  Available at findmypast.co.uk.


National Burial Index for England & Wales Transcription from findmypast.co.uk


Photograph of Charles Avery was obtained from Michael Partridge, College Archivist at Eastbourne College located in Eastbourne, East Sussex, UK via email in June 2015.


Photographs of Joseph Avery were obtained from Raymond McLaren of Kent, UK.  According to Mr. McLaren these photos came from the 1905 and 1916 Needle District Almanacs.


Pigot & Co.’s Directory of Ches, Cumb… Part 2, 1828-1829.  Available as of February and March 2011 at www.historicaldirectories.org under Worcestershire.  Lists William Avery & Son as a fish hook and needle manufacturer in Redditch on page 872.  No other James or William Avery’s listed.


Pigot & Co.’s Directory of Derbys, Herefs…, 1835.  Available as of February and March 2011 at www.historicaldirectories.org under Worcestershire.  Lists William Avery & Son as a fish hook and needle manufacturer in Redditch on page 651.   Lists James Avery as a Retailer of Beer on Page 651.


Pigot & Co.’s Directory of Derbys, Dorset…, 1842.  Available as of February and March 2011 at www.historicaldirectories.org under Worcestershire.  Lists W. Avery & Son as a fish hook and needle manufacturer in Headless Cross on page 20 in the Feckenham neighborhood in Worcestershire section.  Lists James Avery as a retailor of beer in Redditch in Worcestershire.


The Poll of the Freeholders of Warwickshire at the Election at Warwick on the 31st October, and the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 6th, and 7th November 1820.  Page 15 lists a John Avery in Studley.  This may have been William Avery’s (1832-1899) father.  Available at books.google.com.


Robinson’s Birmingham & Sheffield Directory, 1839.  Available as of February and March 2011 at www.historicaldirectories.org under Worcestershire.  Lists W. Avery & Son as a fish hook and needle manufacturer in Redditch on pages 505 and 507.  Lists James Avery as needle and fish hook manufacture and beer retailer on pages 505-507.


St. Stephen’s Church of England in Redditch parish registers (researched by genealogist Vanessa Morgan of Redditch).


The Universal Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure Containing … and Other Arts and Sciences Vol. XCII, 1793.  Page 317 lists the bankruptcy of William Avery of Redditch, needle-maker dated April 9, 1793.  This may have been William Avery’s (1832-1899) grandfather.  Available at books.google.com.


Wikipedia as of May 2015.  Harold Avery.


Worcestershire Chronical – January 6, 1841 lists death of William Avery aged 82 of Headless Cross.  Available at findmypast.co.uk.


Worcestershire Chronical dated 04 July 1860 - Lists the death of Ellen Grace on June 23rd at Sherborne, Dorsetshire, aged 4 years, daughter of William Avery of Headless Cross.  Available at findmypast.co.uk.


Worcestershire Record Office – 705:414/8189/34/ii 1883-1913.  Documents related to sale of Sherborne Cottage to J. English & Son Ltd and - 705:414/8779/11/iv/5-11 1861-1914.  Deeds, covenants, copy correspondence and list of documents related to the purchase by J. English and Son Ltd. of Redditch of the business of needle, pin and fish hook manufacture and dealing in small wares of William Avery and Son of Headless Cross, Redditch (researched by genealogist Vanessa Morgan of Redditch).  Included a document dated 1 January 1863 was an 'Assignment of Goodwill of the Trade and Business of Needle and Fishhook Manufacturing' by Mrs. Elizabeth Avery, widow and admix of Edwin Avery Dec'd to William Avery. Edwin had died 19 September 1861 - "Deceased carried on in the trade under several styles or firms - E. Avery; E. Avery & Co; James Avery; James Avery & Son".

Master List

To date 227 Avery style needle cases have been discovered.  Visit these pages to see photographs of each design as well as the original design registration or patent and gain knowledge about variations within each design.

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Avery Survey

In 2013 an Avery Survey was created in order to gather as much information as possible about Avery style needle cases from collectors and interested parties around the world.  The Avery Survey is easy to complete and gives you a chance to contribute to this important research.  Be sure and stop here to see the survey results.

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About Us

Learn how the author turned a hobby cross stitching antique sampler reproductions into a passion for collecting Avery needle cases resulting in a published book, a Wikipedia article, a TCI Bulletin article and conference presentation and this website.

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