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- Edward Thomason
- Also known as
-
Edward Thomason
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primary name: Thomason, Edward
- Details
- individual; sculptor/medallist; manufacturer/factory; goldsmith/metalworker; British; Male
- Other dates
- 1769-1849 (baptised in 1769)
- Address
- Church Street, Birmingham
- Biography
- Manufacturer of buttons, jewellery and medals. Apprenticed to Matthew Boulton (q.v.), he opened his own factory in 1790 in Church Street, Birmingham. In 1793, when his father retired, he took over the business which he extended to make gilt articles, medals and tokens, for which he became famous. He died aged 80 on the 29th May 1849 at his residence in Warwick. He was an eminent medallist and manufacturer of bronzes at Birmingham, and received a knighthood in 1832 for being instrumental in improving the Arts and Manufactures. He also solicited and received 'honours' from Prussia, the Netherlands, Spain, Persia, etc.. and acted for upwards of twenty years as vice-consul for various European countries. He employed the best engravers of his day and was responsible for the production of many of the 19th century tokens held by the museum. However if was not Henry Morgan (q.v.) himself then he must known him well. Trade cards in Banks Collection. Banks,67.210 advertises "Edward Thomasons Manufactory. Church Street. Birmingham. Plate, Spoons, Forks, &c. &c. Plated Services with Silver Embossments. Plated Cutlery, Spoons &c. on Steel. Fine Cut Glass for the Table. Bronz'd or Molu [sic]Figures & Lusters. Papier-Mache Trays. Real and Imitation Jewellery. Diamonds, Gems, Pearls. Gold & Silver Snuff Boxes. Buttons, including Livery Buttons. Gold, Silver & Bronz'd Medals & Tokens. Patent Balustrades &c. Made Exclusively here the Patent Carriage-Step, Gun-Lock, Cork-Screw, Sword-Cane, Hearth Brush, Umbrella &c. Spur-Whip &c." Banks,67.212 advertises "Sir Edward Thomason, Birmingham, Manufacturer of Articles in the Highest Classes of the Arts, in Gold, Silver, Plated, Or-Molu & Bronze." Banks (D,2.191) is a bill-head stating "Edward Thomasons Manufactory. Church Street. Birmingham. Plate, Spoons, Forks, &c. &c. Plated Services with Silver Embossments. Plated Cutlery, Spoons &c. on Steel. Fine Cut Glass for the Table. Bronz'd or Molu [sic]Figures & Lusters. Papier-Mache Trays. Real and Imitation Jewellery. Diamonds, Gems, Pearls. Gold & Silver Snuff Boxes. Buttons, including Livery Buttons. Gold, Silver & Bronz'd Medals & Tokens. Patent Balustrades &c. Made Exclusively here the Patent Carriage-Step, Gun-Lock, Cork-Screw, Sword-Cane, Hearth Brush, Umbrella &c. Spur-Whip &c. Real and Imitation Jewellery. Diamond, Gems, Pearls, Gold & Silver Snuff Boxes. Buttons including Livery Buttons. Gold, Silver & Bronz'd Medals & Tokens. Patent Balastrades &c. Dassiers fine Medals of the Sovereigns of England with Historical Reverses. We take the liberty to transmit your last years account which we hope may be found correct; we shall feel obliged by a Remittance and the honor of your further favors. We are Your very obedient Servants." The bill is signed "Edward Thomason."
- Bibliography
- "British Copper Tokens 1811-1820" - Withers 1999.