Robinson and Sons

Robinson and Sons was founded by Thomas Robinson, born in 1812. At the age of 24, when he married Ann Lister, he was noted as an organ builder and the son of John Robinson, a woodman. In 1850 he changed his business from organ builder to cabinet maker. The company are best known for their Ilkley Couch, which made his business, and manufactured it over many years. It was originally marketed as an Invalid Couch and its possible that Robinson drew his inspiration from Samuel James' Patent Sofa of 1814, also known as a 'Machine For Invalids'. James' sofa had the seat divided into three sections with two that could be independently raised to adjust their angle on metal ratchets. The third section was hinged to the middle and sets its position accordingly.

Robinson started making the Ilkley Couch in around 1862 describing it as the 'most easy, comfortable, and complete couch for invalids, nurses, or persons to lounge upon'. It had three sections each with their own ratchet to adjust its position so that 'they can be immediately regulated to any shape for the hip and knee joints, and any inclination for the back'. Different versions of the Couch were made as it developed over the years, with various patents taken out at different times. Most had cane work to the panels but later examples could be bought with metal springs. Large brass castors could be chosen or smaller ceramic ones. Arms were added as an option and by 1900 ... show more

Robinson and Sons was founded by Thomas Robinson, born in 1812. At the age of 24, when he married Ann Lister, he was noted as an organ builder and the son of John Robinson, a woodman. In 1850 he changed his business from organ builder to cabinet maker. The company are best known for their Ilkley Couch, which made his business, and manufactured it over many years. It was originally marketed as an Invalid Couch and its possible that Robinson drew his inspiration from Samuel James' Patent Sofa of 1814, also known as a 'Machine For Invalids'. James' sofa had the seat divided into three sections with two that could be independently raised to adjust their angle on metal ratchets. The third section was hinged to the middle and sets its position accordingly.

Robinson started making the Ilkley Couch in around 1862 describing it as the 'most easy, comfortable, and complete couch for invalids, nurses, or persons to lounge upon'. It had three sections each with their own ratchet to adjust its position so that 'they can be immediately regulated to any shape for the hip and knee joints, and any inclination for the back'. Different versions of the Couch were made as it developed over the years, with various patents taken out at different times. Most had cane work to the panels but later examples could be bought with metal springs. Large brass castors could be chosen or smaller ceramic ones. Arms were added as an option and by 1900

you could buy the Couch with a large wheel attached to adjust your position whilst using the seat. Robinsons made it in walnut, mahogany, oak or birch at a cost, in 1875, of £ 3. If bought in deal, the price was £ 1 15s. The mattress or cushions were extra at £ 1 10s to £ 1 15s.

Thomas had a large family with five sons and two daughters. In 1868, four of his sons, Lister, Mark, John and Thomas joined the business which changed its name to Robinson & Sons to reflect this. Thomas Robinson lived with his family at Prospect Place in Hangingstone with his workshops and offices at Ilkley. Around this time, they moved premises to Tower Buildings on Cow Pasture Road. At first, their address was simply given as 'Thomas Robinson' with 'Cabinet Maker' and 'Ilkley'. In 1868 either Prospect House or Cabinet Works was added to the Ilkley address or in adverts. In 1874, a new block was added to their workshops and the address was changed to Steam Cabinet Works, Ilkley probably to reflect their upgraded facilities. However, the company sometimes still advertised their address simply as Robinson and Sons, Ilkley with the size of the town and their reputation enough to find them.

In the 1861 census Thomas Robinson is shown to have four men in his employ. Twenty years later this rose to five men and three boys but his four sons can probably be added to this number. The town of Ilkley expanded rapidly in the 1860s thanks to the arrival of the railway and the town's spa water with its health benefits. Both helped Robinsons to grow their business. Their couches were popular in the hotels that opened, and it was easier to move their stock to different parts of the country. Lister Robinson also took advantage of the new interest in the town by opening Moorlands, a hydro hotel.

Although originally conceived to provide comfortable rest to the invalid, Robinson's Ilkley Couch soon became popular for general use. The company recognised this and noted it in their adverts. They also added to their adverts that it was 'very portable for travelling' to further expand its market. In 1884 they showed a number of couches at the International Health Exhibition and won the gold medal for best Invalid Furniture. Edward VII used the couch to recover from illness shortly before his coronation in 1901, and this increased the fame of an already popular piece of furniture. Other manufacturers such as Carters, John Ward and Levesons took note of their success and produced their own versions of the couch, closely following Robinson's design. The company added a line to their adverts warning the public against their imitators. Robinsons also produced other items of furniture, both to be used with the couch such as reading stands, or as pieces in their own right. The company continued into the early 20th century and produced their most popular item of furniture for over fifty years.