William Eyre or Driver & Eyre

1798 - 1820

William Eyre was born in 1791 and took over his father's business around 1814.

His father Isaac had died in 1808 but had originally joined Richard Driver in business by 1794 (if not before) as Driver & Eyre at 19 Cockspur Street, just off Trafalgar Square. Driver had held the premises from at least 1774. Between 1800 and 1806, the business traded solely as Isaac Eyre. Between his father's death and William dealing in his own name, it is likely that his elder brother Isaac Jnr. ran the business and then continued at 11 Charing Cross when William took over Cockspur Street.

Aside from selling his own work, Eyre is also known to have sold that of other makers. In 1815, he was one of a number of makers (including Lowndes, Bryant and J.T. Thompson) who were noted as retailers of Patent Canvas Covers to protect trunks during travel. In 1820, J. Choat of 49 High Holborn advertised that his Patent Whalebone Portmanteaus and Trunks were also available for purchase at William Eyres.

Although William advertised the Princes Regent, Saxe Coburg and the Duke of Cambridge amongst his customers he does not seem to have thrived at business. He was bankrupted in 1821 and 1824. On the latter occasion he moved to 258 Regent Street with Samuel Pratt taking the Cockspur Street premises. By the 1830's he is no longer listed in the directories.

Like many trunk makers of the time, Eyre aimed his wares at 'Military Officers, Indian Captains, Cadets &c.'. ... show more

William Eyre was born in 1791 and took over his father's business around 1814.

His father Isaac had died in 1808 but had originally joined Richard Driver in business by 1794 (if not before) as Driver & Eyre at 19 Cockspur Street, just off Trafalgar Square. Driver had held the premises from at least 1774. Between 1800 and 1806, the business traded solely as Isaac Eyre. Between his father's death and William dealing in his own name, it is likely that his elder brother Isaac Jnr. ran the business and then continued at 11 Charing Cross when William took over Cockspur Street.

Aside from selling his own work, Eyre is also known to have sold that of other makers. In 1815, he was one of a number of makers (including Lowndes, Bryant and J.T. Thompson) who were noted as retailers of Patent Canvas Covers to protect trunks during travel. In 1820, J. Choat of 49 High Holborn advertised that his Patent Whalebone Portmanteaus and Trunks were also available for purchase at William Eyres.

Although William advertised the Princes Regent, Saxe Coburg and the Duke of Cambridge amongst his customers he does not seem to have thrived at business. He was bankrupted in 1821 and 1824. On the latter occasion he moved to 258 Regent Street with Samuel Pratt taking the Cockspur Street premises. By the 1830's he is no longer listed in the directories.

Like many trunk makers of the time, Eyre aimed his wares at 'Military Officers, Indian Captains, Cadets &c.'.

It is not known if he actually made campaign furniture, but he did advertise that he also sold 'Mahogany Writing Desks' as well as 'iron bound Trunks, real solid Leather Portmanteaus, Bullock and Cadet Trunks'. He is also known to have sold fitted brass bound mahogany dressing cases.