J.C. Vickery

1890 - 1930

J.C. Vickery were one of several London companies, including Thornhill and Albert Barker, who offered luxury goods either side of 1900. This ranged from jewellery and travel items to boxes and small furniture. They were founded in 1890 by John Collard Vickery and Arthur Thomas Hobbes who are cited as having taken over the Stationer and Bookseller William Griggs' shop at 183 Regent Street. Our searches on Griggs have yielded little information and no reference to him at 183 Regent Street. There also seems to be little information available on Vickery's partner, Hobbes, who lasted only one year.

John Collard Vickery was born in 1856 in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, the eldest son of John and Caroline. Collard name was his mother's maiden name. He was one of eight children, seven boys and a solitary daughter. His father was a well-established Printer and Bookseller in the town. In the 1881 census the 25 year old Vickery is recorded as a lodger living at Annie Ward's house at 14 Connaught Street Paddington. His profession is listed as a Dressing Case and Portmanteau maker. Who he was working for is not known but it is possible that it was William Griggs, who's premises he and Hobbes purportedly took over nine years later. If this is being read on a listing other than by Christopher Clarke Antiques, it has been copied without their permission. This is speculation but it would tie in nicely. Arthur Hobbes likewise, may have been the money behind the venture.

The business was ... show more

J.C. Vickery were one of several London companies, including Thornhill and Albert Barker, who offered luxury goods either side of 1900. This ranged from jewellery and travel items to boxes and small furniture. They were founded in 1890 by John Collard Vickery and Arthur Thomas Hobbes who are cited as having taken over the Stationer and Bookseller William Griggs' shop at 183 Regent Street. Our searches on Griggs have yielded little information and no reference to him at 183 Regent Street. There also seems to be little information available on Vickery's partner, Hobbes, who lasted only one year.

John Collard Vickery was born in 1856 in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, the eldest son of John and Caroline. Collard name was his mother's maiden name. He was one of eight children, seven boys and a solitary daughter. His father was a well-established Printer and Bookseller in the town. In the 1881 census the 25 year old Vickery is recorded as a lodger living at Annie Ward's house at 14 Connaught Street Paddington. His profession is listed as a Dressing Case and Portmanteau maker. Who he was working for is not known but it is possible that it was William Griggs, who's premises he and Hobbes purportedly took over nine years later. If this is being read on a listing other than by Christopher Clarke Antiques, it has been copied without their permission. This is speculation but it would tie in nicely. Arthur Hobbes likewise, may have been the money behind the venture.

The business was

a success with expansion to take in 181 and 179 Regents Street by 1902. To give an idea of the quality of goods Vickery was selling, a court case of 1895 listed a 'cigarette tube in crystal case, a cigarette case, a gem enamelled watch and a gold cigar tube' that were stolen by deception as having a value of £ 42 5s. That would equate to nearly £ 7000 in today's money. J.C. Vickery held Royal Warrants for Edward VII and Queen Alexandria and sold to most of Europe's royalty. Vickery lived at Leigh Holme on Leigham Avenue in Streatham, South London but after his wife Emma died in 1922, he moved to Sloane House on Sloane Street. He died there, aged 74 in 1930. In the same year, the company had struggled, probably due to the depression that had been building in the second half of the 1920s, and went into administration. James Walker Ltd, jewellers who had been growing as a retail force in the early 20th century took over what they could from the company.

J.C. Vickery enjoyed an excellent reputation during their 40 year history, selling a wide range of good quality items through their impressive Regent Street shop. Items bearing their name still catch the eye today.