Hunt & Roskell, a firm of manufacturing and retail jewellers and silversmiths, was founded by Paul Storr in 1819, trading as Storr & Co. (1819-22), Storr & Mortimer (1822-38), Mortimer & Hunt (1838-43) and then Hunt & Roskell (1843-97). Hunt & Roskell had retail premises at 156 New Bond Street and a manufactory at 26 Harrison Street, near Clerkenwell. John Samuel Hunt, who had assisted Storr from the start, continued as a partner until his death in 1865, when he was succeeded by his son, John Hunt (d.1879). Robert Roskell, formerly a watchmaker and merchant of Liverpool, joined in 1844 and remained in the firm until his death in 1888. In 1889 the firm was taken over by J.W. Benson and continued in business as Hunt & Roskell Ltd until c.1965. Trade card in Heal Collection (Heal,67.383) advertises "Hunt & Roskell, Late Storr & Mortimer, Jewellers, Goldsmiths & Silversmiths to The Queen, The Emperor of the French, &c. &c. &c..." Heal's annotations on mount: "Britten's 'Clock & Watchmakers' gives: - Storr & Mortimer, 13, New Bond St. 1830-42. 1826-7 L. Directory gives: - Paul Storr, silversmith, 13, New Bond St. 1827 L. Directory gives: - Storr & Mortimer, gold & silversmiths, 13 New Bond St. 1832 L. Directory gives: - Storr & Mortimer, jewellers, 13 New Bond St. 1838 L. Directory gives: - Storr & Mortimer, silversmiths, 13 New Bond St. 1839 L. Directory gives: - Storr & Mortimer, silversmiths, manufactory, 13 Harrison St. 136 New Bond Street and manufactory, 26 Harrison Street, Gray's Inn Road."
Bibliography
Culme, J., 'The Directory of Gold and Silversmiths, Jewellers and Allied Traders 1838-1914', Woodbridge 1987
Thompson "Watches" London 2008
Bury, S., 'The Lengthening Shadow of Rundells', Connoisseur 161, February, March, April 1966
Loomes, B. (2006). "Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World", N.A.G. Press, London
Britten, F.J. (1986). "Old Clocks and Watches and Their Makers - A History of Styles in Clocks and Watches and their Mechanisms", Bloomsbury Books, London
Bibliography
Culme, J., 'The Directory of Gold and Silversmiths, Jewellers and Allied Traders 1838-1914', Woodbridge 1987
Thompson "Watches" London 2008
Bury, S., 'The Lengthening Shadow of Rundells', Connoisseur 161, February, March, April 1966
Loomes, B. (2006). "Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World", N.A.G. Press, London
Britten, F.J. (1986). "Old Clocks and Watches and Their Makers - A History of Styles in Clocks and Watches and their Mechanisms", Bloomsbury Books, London
Silver, gold, gilt, enamel.
Size 64.9 mm.
Weight 45.74 g.
Reverse engraved:
"Hunt & Roskell / Late / Storr, Mortimer & Hunt / 156 New Bond Street / London".