Hawstead Hall Antiques

William Comyns 1859-1885.
William Comyns & Sons 1885-1953.
Charles & Richard Comyns 1918-1925.
Richard Comyns 1925-1953.

William Comyns was apprenticed at the Goldsmiths Hall in London, in 1849, to George Richards of 26, Sekford St, Clerkenwell, eventually completing his apprenticeship in 1856 at Red Lion St, Clerkenwell,London and receiving from his employer the freedom of the City of London (and a gold charm for good work and conduct).

On completing his apprenticeship at 22, he remained with George Richards for about a year as a journeyman. In the year after leaving Richards, he raised the neccessary money to start his own business, and in 1858 purchased the goodwill, tools and benches of Robert Tagg at 2, Carlisle St, Soho, London for £100. Robert Tagg was a fellow apprentice of William Comyns at George Richards, who had previously bought the business of a Mr Tapley of 46 Rupell Street, Southwark, London. Tapley a manufacturing silversmith, was probably the last of Rundell, Bridge & Co's outworkers and is also known to have provided work for Robert Green & Co, Makepeace & Walford and others.

In 1858, with the tools, patterns and company aquired, William Comyns started his business in the basement of 2 Carlisle St, Soho, London W1. Over the next 50 years, he moved premises 3 times, but always remained based in the West End of London, eventually establishing a more permanent base at 41 Beak St, Soho W1 in the early 1880's. ←→