Balkwill

The Balkwill name seems to be a regular fixture in the trade directories for over a hundred years in those consulted. The recovered artefacts are from the Balkwill & Co incarnation of the name.

This company provides us with a variety of embossed glass bottles and transfer printed pot bases, either are scarce finds. The company’s adverts proclaim that they were established in 1725 and depict a very grand frontage in Old Town St, Plymouth. The Old Town Street premises were destroyed by enemy action on March 21, 1941. The advertisement clearly shows the name ‘Cookworthy’ above the door, the Balkwill business was actually a continuation of that started by William Cookworthy (of china clay fame) and the 1725 date refers to the earlier business rather than Balkwill.

In 1890 the company is also listed as operating from 17 Trafalgar Pl, Stoke, this latter address presumably being that referred to in the Stoke Damerall embossing shown below.

The company provided apprentice training for many young chemists who later started their own businesses including Albert John Bolt who eventually registered in 1943.

Balkwill oval pot lid

Balkwill pot lid

Balkwill & Co variations

Balkwill bottle with Stoke Damerel address

1910 advert for Balkwill & Co

1852 advert for Balkwill

1914 advert for Balkwill

Prescription envelope from Balkwill

1928 advert for Balkwill

1953 advert for Balkwill

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