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Book mark "I am the Light of the World" made by Caldicott

 

 

Thomas Stevens was the main manufacturer of short silk ribbons made into the form of bookmarks. He registered his first nine designs at the Patent Office on 30 May 1862, although he was by no means the first producer of these bookmarks.

The first manufacturer to register his design was John Caldicott of 22 Earl Street Coventry, who on 18 February 1862 registered his religious bookmark 'I am the light of the world', an image of which graces this page.

   
List of Other Silk Weavers  
   
Thomas W. Band
Coventry

(updated 26 May 2020)
This weaver's name has been seen printed on the top of several stiff backing papers used to support bookmarks in the post. In every case however, the actual attached bookmark had the woven name of WELCH & LENTON. The actual printed design of these backing papers though includes the logo of Welch & Lenton, and as such, it is believed that Band was perhaps an agent for Welch & Lenton.
   
R. Barton.
 

(updated 8 March 2016)
Barton produced silks with only his name on them, and also worked with several other weavers, as a designer; the silks of which have dual credit. This section pulls together all silks with Barton's name on them.
   
Charles Berisford
Congleton, Cheshire

(updated 31 December 2022)
Weavers since 1858, although it would seem it was not until the 1970's or 1980's before they wove pictures and bookmarks. The pictures all have back labels with " THE GREENSLEEVES COLLECTION LTD, Market Harborough, Leicestershire ", a company registered in 1982.
   
E. Bollans & Co.
14 Ranelagh Terrace, Leamington

(updated 24 October 2023)
Bollans were possibly Wholesalers rather than manufacturers, as some silks are identical to other manufacturers, particularly Welch & Lenton, and the address given on some of Bollans Register entries is that of Welch & Lenton. Bollans is also recorded in directories of the time as a supplier of stationery.
   
Bradbury, Greatorex Beall
London

 
These were not manufacturers, but importers, as the actual silks have the signature Ch. Rebourg, St. Etienne
   
Brocklehurst-Whiston (BWA)
Macclesfield - POST Victorian era

(updated 4 February 2020)
Previously known as Brocklehurst Fabrics Ltd, all the silks were made between 1946 and 1992.
It is believed that this catalogue records all the silk pictures made by BWA, and every recorded title is supported by quality images.
   
Brough, Nicholson & Hall.
Leek - POST Victorian era

(updated 7 June 2023)
When they closed in Coventry, Thomas Stevens & Co. amalgamated with Brough, Nicholson & Hall.
   
John Caldicott.
22 Earl Street, Coventry

(updated 13 March 2022)
Probably the first true manufacturer of silk bookmarks.
   
H. H. Calmon & Co. Ltd.
Keighley, Yorkshire

(updated 8 September 2021)
CALMON's name is recorded in its own right on a picture and a bookmark. Their name also appears on the printed back labels of pictures woven for The National Railway Museum, York, who commissioned them. As however these pictures are better known under their market name of LEEMANGRAPH, they are recorded there as well.
It is unclear, although it does seem as if CALMON also made woven pictures which were sold under the WILMAS GALLERIES name, and they are also recorded there, together with other non-Calmon pictures also sold by Wilmas.
   
Cartwright & Sheldon (also known as Seandess)
Macclesfield

(updated 24 October 2023)
The catalogue on this site is believed to record every one of their picture titles, and in addition, every recorded title is supported by a quality image. 
   
J. & J. Cash,
Coventry

 
see separate section
   
R. S. Cox & Co.
Coventry

(updated 3 April 2014)
 
   
James Cramp
Coventry

(updated 12 November 2018)
Nothing is known of this weaver, other than his name is woven on the one recorded portrait of Robert.
   
Dalton & Barton.
 

(updated 1 May 2018)
Becoming Dalton & Barton Ltd. in 1872.
   
Darlinson & Barton.
 

(updated 3 April 2014)
Nothing is known of this weaver, except that they were probably not weavers at all. The only known silk is identical to one attributed to Pratt & Barton. It is hence probably that this silk was made available to several outlets.
   
E. K.
London

(updated 8 August 2023)
Nothing is known of this weaver, except that they were probably not weavers at all. There is a great deal of overlap of titles, but not designs, with Marshall, Morgan & Scott Ltd, and also with G.J.C., London, who also have "EMMANUEL SERIES" woven on the reverse of some of their bookmarks.
   
Franklin & Sons
Coventry

(updated 8 September 2021)
This weaver started in Coventry, before relocating to Ireland. Care is needed in identifying their bookmarks, as the designs are almost identical to that of J. & J. Cash's version.
   
G. J. C.
London

(added 8 September 2021)
Nothing is known of this weaver, except that they were probably not weavers at all. So far, all the recorded titles have "EMMANUEL SERIES" woven on the reverse top turn-over. There is a great deal of overlap of titles, but not designs, with Marshall, Morgan & Scott Ltd, and also with E. K., London, who also have "EMMANUEL SERIES" woven on the reverse of some of their bookmarks.
   
G. J. G.
London

(updated 3 February 2021)
Nothing is known of this weaver, except that they were probably not weavers at all. The woven initials, " G.J.G." appear very similar to " G.J.C.", recorded above. So far however, all the recorded G.J.G. titles have "MADE IN ENGLAND" woven on the reverse top turn-over.
   
W. H. Grant,
Coventry

 
see separate section
   
G. Holme.
Derby

(updated 4 February 2016)
 
   
Alice and Samuel Kilmer.
nr. Manchester

 
 
   
L & S
Coventry

(updated 12 November 2018)
Nothing is known of this weaver, other than his name is woven on the one recorded bookmark of Disraeli, although it is thought there might be some sort of association with Lenton.
   
Leemangraph
York

(updated 18 June 2019)
There is a series of four woven pictures sold by the National Railway Museum, York, under the title " Leemangraph". The actual pictures though were woven by H. H. CALMON & Co. Ltd., Keighley, Yorkshire.
   
Lester & Harris.
Coventry

(updated 12 February 2016)
Lester and Harris was recorded at Foleshill in 1880, at Nuneaton in 1938 and Australia in 1950. The Foleshill and Australian factories were sold in 1959-1960, and J. & J. Cash took over the remaining company in the 1960's.
   
Marshall, Morgan & Scott Ltd.
London

(updated 3 February 2021)
Nothing is known of this company, and it is unlikely they actually woven any of the bookmarks. It was initially thought they might be a later incarnation of Morgan & Scott, although it can now be seen that as the bookmarks are so different, this assumption is unlikely.
The titles, but not design, of several bookmarks are the same as both E. K., and G. J. C., and it is possible there was some kind of relationship between these three companies.
   
J. Matthews.
London

 
Nothing is known of this company, and it is possible they were not manufacturers.
   
Mellor Bros.
Macclesfield

(updated 8 April 2021)
Godden suggests the bookmarks attributed to Mellor were probably made by other weavers. From a close inspection of the layout and weave texture of the bookmark recorded on this site, it seems more likely that Mellor did in fact weave their own silks.  
   
Morgan & Scott Ltd.
12 Paternoster Buildings, London, EC4

(updated 8 August 2023)
Very little is known of this company, and it is unlikely that actually woven any of the bookmarks. The address recorded is the same as that of STEVENS, and it is believed Stevens actually wove the silks for Morgan & Scott.
It was initially thought that MARSHALL, MORGAN & SCOTT Ltd. might be a later incarnation of Morgan & Scott, although it can now be seen that as the bookmarks are so different, this assumption is unlikely.
   
Mulloney & Johnson.
3 Ironmonger Row, Coventry

(updated 5 September 2018)
It would seem that Mulloney & Johnson did not weave their name on any of their bookmarks, so identification is extremely difficult. 
   
Charles Newsome.
Coventry

(updated 5 November 2018)
 
   
Oakden & Co.
Bedworth

(updated 7 June 2023)
Nothing is known of this weaver, other than his name is woven on the one recorded bookmark.
   
W. Perkins.
 

(updated 3 April 2014)
Nothing is known of this weaver, other than they collaborated with Owen Bros., who were the designers on most Caldicott bookmarks, so Perkins must themselves have been Victorian silk weavers.
   
S. G. Poole.
Coventry

(updated 24 September 2022)
Very little is know about Poole. It is known that his name appears on the reverse of one bookmark, as both Weaver and Designer. He also appears on several other manufacturers' silks as the Designer.
The most interesting thing is that he designed the Royal Address, sent from the Coventry City Council to His Majesty King Edward VII in 1902; the silk itself having been woven by students of the Textile School, at the Technical Institute, Coventry.
   
J. Pratt & Sons.
 

(created 3 April 2014)
Nothing is known of this weaver, except that they were probably not weavers at all. The only known silk is identical to one attributed to Darlinson & Barton. It is hence probably that this silk was made available to several outlets.
   
J. C. Ratliff
Coventry

(updated 31 January 2021)
Nothing is known of this weaver, other than his name is woven on the large Godiva ribbon. It is worth noting in his own advertising, he occasionally referred to himself as " John RATCLIFF ".
   
I. & R. Robinson
Coventry

(updated 7 November 2018)
Nothing is known of this weaver, other than his name is woven on the one recorded souvenir silk.
   
John Rogers.
Coventry

(updated 3 April 2014)
Nothing is known of this manufacturer, other than two John Rogers, father and son, are recorded in the Coventry directories and census between 1851 and 1886, possibly at 46 East Street, Coventry.
   
E. Rollason & Sons.
Coventry

(updated 7 November 2018)
Normally associated as a designer for Newsome, but also found on reverse of Grant bookmarks. One bookmark recorded with Rollason as weaver, although probably actually made by Grant.
   
Saunders & Co.
Coventry

(updated 7 November 2018)
Very unlikely to be a weaver, as recorded on the reverse of one portrait of Joseph Chamberlain.
   
Seandess
Macclesfield

 
Also known as Cartwright & Sheldon, under who's name all woven items are recorded.
   
Silkmark
 

(updated 31 December 2022)
Their bookmarks were sold either shrink wrapped with a card backing, or in bespoke red boxes. It is unknown who actually wove these bookmarks, although printed on both the card and the box lid is a copyright to HALON GIFTS.
   
Thomas Skillcock.
17 Queen Steet, Coventry

(updated 4 February 2021)
 
   
Henry Slingsby.
Coventry and Nuneaton

(updated 18 June 2019)
Named changed to H. Slingsby & Son in 1870.
Slingsby & Son was one of the last silk manufacturers in Nuneaton producing regalia, banners, silk military articles. It was taken over by Franklins of Coventry about 1948.
   
Josiah Smale & Son.
Macclesfield

(updated 21 November 2018)
 
   
H. Spencer & Co.
Coventry

(updated 24 October 2023)
Nothing is known of this weaver, other than as the only silk relates to Queen Victoria's 60th Jubilee, of 1897, this dates Spencer & Co to the same period. 
   
Spurcroft Ltd.
Macclesfield

(updated 7 June 2023)
 
   
Thomas Stevens,
Coventry

 
See separate section
   
Webster & Butterworth
Foleshill

(updated 12 February 2016)
Nothing is known of this weaver, other than as woven on the reverse of the only known silk. They were weavers based in Foleshill, and the designers were S. G. Poole, Coventry.
   
Welch & Lenton.
1 Bailey Lane, Coventry

(updated 24 October 2023)
Note some early Stevens bookmarks bear the woven credit 'T. Stevens, Manuftr. Coventry. Welch & Lenton, Drafts'
Also note that many bookmarks with W&L credit are identical to E. Bollans, and have been cross referenced accordingly. As noted above, Bollans were probably wholesalers, with Welch & Lenton doing the designs and weaving.
   
James Wilde & Son.
Macclesfield

(updated 27 January 2015)
This weaver is attributed with producing the earliest known Macclesfield woven silk picture, for the Great Exhibition of 1851.
   
Wilmas Galleries.
Coventry

(updated 24 October 2021)
Not weavers, but marketing outlet. It is believed most of their silks were woven by H. H. CALMON & Co. Ltd., Keighley, Yorkshire and at least one picture with their name on the reverse is known to have been woven by Charles Berisford.
   
E. Wilson.
Macclesfield

(updated 3 April 2014)
 
   
Unidentified Weavers
 

(updated 8 September 2021)
Multiple images of woven pictures and bookmarks, none of which has any identification. CAN YOU IDENTIFY THEM FOR ME? 
   

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This site was created on 26 March 2014
This site was last updated on 24 October 2023

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