Wickwar

1823 - 1915

Wickwar were paper-makers, stationers, bookbinders and despatch case makers etc. of long standing.

The business was probably started by Hannah Wickwar, her husband or father in the late 18th century. Hannah was born in 1759 and it is likely that she moved to London from the outskirts of Newbury around 1820. In 1819, the business of Hannah Wickwar and John Wickar was declared bankrupt. They had been paper makers at Colthorp Mill, Newbury. I am presuming John was Hannah's son as he was listed second in the newspaper reports at the time. The Wickwar family seem to have been an established paper making family in the area. In the late 18th / early 19th century, William & Joseph Wickwar & Co. had a papermaking business at nearby Bagnor Mill, which went bankrupt in 1832. Joseph had two sons who were clerks at HM Stationery Office. It is probable that Hannah had married a relative of Joseph and William and possibly her relationship with Joseph's sons was a gateway to manufacturing Despatch Cases for HMSO.

Hannah Wickwar is listed with premises at 10 Dorset Street, London from at least 1823. Hannah died in 1829 and in 1830 the business was listed at 6 Poland Street under the name John Wickwar. The Westminster Rate Books consistently list John Wickwar at 6 Poland Street between 1830 and 1854. It is probable that he either had his workshop or living accommodation at 2 Portland Mews, which is also listed under his name in ... show more

Wickwar were paper-makers, stationers, bookbinders and despatch case makers etc. of long standing.

The business was probably started by Hannah Wickwar, her husband or father in the late 18th century. Hannah was born in 1759 and it is likely that she moved to London from the outskirts of Newbury around 1820. In 1819, the business of Hannah Wickwar and John Wickar was declared bankrupt. They had been paper makers at Colthorp Mill, Newbury. I am presuming John was Hannah's son as he was listed second in the newspaper reports at the time. The Wickwar family seem to have been an established paper making family in the area. In the late 18th / early 19th century, William & Joseph Wickwar & Co. had a papermaking business at nearby Bagnor Mill, which went bankrupt in 1832. Joseph had two sons who were clerks at HM Stationery Office. It is probable that Hannah had married a relative of Joseph and William and possibly her relationship with Joseph's sons was a gateway to manufacturing Despatch Cases for HMSO.

Hannah Wickwar is listed with premises at 10 Dorset Street, London from at least 1823. Hannah died in 1829 and in 1830 the business was listed at 6 Poland Street under the name John Wickwar. The Westminster Rate Books consistently list John Wickwar at 6 Poland Street between 1830 and 1854. It is probable that he either had his workshop or living accommodation at 2 Portland Mews, which is also listed under his name in

the Westminster Rate Books between 1840 and 1854. 2 Portland Mews is directly behind 6 Poland Street in Soho, London and so this would obviously have been convenient for the business.

The Dublin Evening paper of March the 3rd 1851 listed John Wickwar, a stationer of Poland Street as bankrupt. In the same year Francis Wickwar, who was born in 1820 we presume to John, was living at Jubilee Place, Chelsea and was listed as a Book Finisher Bond, married to Clarissa and with 3 children. It is likely that Francis took over the business from John in 1854 as between that year and 1864, Francis' business address for rates is given as 3 Portland Mews, which is also directly behind 6 Poland Street. In 1861 he is listed as a Station master living at 15th St. Thomas Gardens, St. Pancras with 8 children, the eldest 2 of which are a Stationer assistant and a Pocket Book maker.

In 1865, Francis also went bankrupt. He was living with his family at Aminta Cottages, Wellington Road in Walham Green. The census of 1871 describes his profession as a Leather Gilder and he was living at Park Side Street in Battersea with his family. If you are reading this on any platform that its not associated with Christopher Clarke Antiques, it has been copied without their permission. By 1880, the business is listed as Wickwar & Co. which suggests that Francis may have sold it or taken on a partner.

The business is still listed at 6 Poland Street in 1899 but sharing the address are John Soper an engraver, William Soper an enamel miniature painter, William Jennings a miniature frame maker, Arthur Cameron an engraver and Percy Lyford a jewellery designer.

In 1912, Wickwar & Co. are listed at 11 York Street, St. James with 6 Poland Street occupied by Levasseur Bugens Ltd. furniture manufacturers. They are also known to have had premises at 98 Jermyn Street. They were still in business in 1913 as they held a Royal Warrant of Appointment to Queen Alexandra at that date. For how much longer the business continued until it was revived again, we do not yet know.