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N C Reading & Co Ltd

Also known as: N C Reading & Co Ltd; primary name: N C Reading & Co Ltd
Details: organisation; manufacturer/factory; British
Other dates: 1847-1982 (moved out of Jewellery Quarter to new premises, still trading)
Address: 186-187 Warstone Lane, Birmingham
Biography: Firm of Jewellers founded by John Reading (1790-1862) in 1847 as a chain making workshop in Spencer Street, Birmingham. After his death, the business was carried on by his son, Walter Reading. On his death in 1868 control passed to his son and daughter, Nathaniel Cracknell Reading and Agnes Blackwell, who ran the firm as a partnership from 1869-1876, when Agnes retired. Her husband Althous Blackwell was a partner until at least 1925. N.C. Reading was a founder member of the Birmingham Jewellers' and Silversmiths' Association and its treasurer from 1896 until 1901. He died in 1924. By the early 1870s the firm had moved to 186-187 Warstone Lane and in 1900 a three-storey model factory was opened in Hall Street. In 1982 the firm moved out of the jewellery quarter to a new factory in Ward Street. At that time the company records were given to Birmingham Public Library, sample boards of die stamped parts were given to Birmingham City Museum and Art Gallery and chain-making machines were given to the Birminham Museum of Science and Industry.
Bibliography: Judy Rudoe, 'From Oroide to Platinageld: imitation jewellery in the late nineteenth century', Jewellery Studies vol. 3, 1989, pp. 49-72.

84 related objects

anklet

Museum number: 1987,0516.44 |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1930-1940 |
Production place: Factory in:Hall Street (Birmingham)

bangle

Museum number: 1987,0516.76.a-c |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1890-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

bangle

Museum number: 1987,0516.77.a-d |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1890-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

bangle

Museum number: 1987,0516.83.a-b |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1890-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Hall Street (Birmingham)

bangle

Museum number: 1987,0516.80.a-b |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1890-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

bangle

Museum number: 1987,0516.68.a-c |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1890 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

bangle

Museum number: 1987,0516.69.a-c |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1890 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

bangle

Museum number: 1987,0516.67.a-f |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1902 |
Production place: Factory in:Hall Street (Birmingham)

bangle

Museum number: 1987,0516.81.a-h |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1890-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

bangle

Museum number: 1987,0516.65 |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1890 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

bangle

Museum number: 1987,0516.79.a-d |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1890-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

bangle

Museum number: 1987,0516.82.a-c |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1890-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

bangle

Museum number: 1987,0516.78.a-h |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1890-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

bangle

Museum number: 1987,0516.84.a-b |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1890-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Hall Street (Birmingham)

bangle

Museum number: 1987,0516.70.a-c |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1890 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

bangle

Museum number: 1987,0516.66.a-d |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1890 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

bracelet

Museum number: 1987,0516.63 |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1914 |
Production place: Factory in:Hall Street (Birmingham)

bracelet

Museum number: 1987,0516.9.a-c |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1891-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

bracelet

Museum number: 1987,0516.54.a-b |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1892-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Hall Street (Birmingham)

bracelet

Museum number: 1987,0516.58.a-c |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1892 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

bracelet

Museum number: 1987,0516.60.a-d |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1914 |
Production place: Factory in:Hall Street (Birmingham)

bracelet

Museum number: 1987,0516.49 |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1892-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

bracelet

Museum number: 1987,0516.61.a-b |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1914 |
Production place: Factory in:Hall Street (Birmingham)

bracelet

Museum number: 1987,0516.52.a-c |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1892-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Hall Street (Birmingham)

bracelet

Museum number: 1987,0516.48.a-d |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1892-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

bracelet

Museum number: 1987,0516.59.a-h |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1914 |
Production place: Factory in:Hall Street (Birmingham)

bracelet

Museum number: 1987,0516.51 |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1876-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

bracelet

Museum number: 1987,0516.57.a-b |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1892 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

bracelet

Museum number: 1987,0516.56.a-c |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1892 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

bracelet

Museum number: 1987,0516.64 |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1914 |
Production place: Factory in:Hall Street (Birmingham)

bracelet

Museum number: 1987,0516.53.a-b |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1892-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Hall Street (Birmingham)

bracelet

Museum number: 1987,0516.55.a-d |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1892 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

bracelet

Museum number: 1987,0516.50 |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1892 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

bracelet

Museum number: 1987,0516.62.a-f |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1914 |
Production place: Factory in:Hall Street (Birmingham)

brooch; show-card

Museum number: 1987,0516.25 |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1885-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

chain

Museum number: 1987,0516.38.a-b |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1876-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

chain

Museum number: 1987,0516.36 |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1876-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

chain

Museum number: 1987,0516.37 |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1876-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

chain

Museum number: 1987,0516.39 |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1885-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

cross pendant

Museum number: 1987,0516.46.a-c |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1923 |
Production place: Factory in:Hall Street (Birmingham)

key-ring

Museum number: 1987,0516.34 |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1903-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Hall Street (Birmingham)

locket

Museum number: 1987,0516.45.a-b |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1885-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

necklace; pendant

Museum number: 1987,0516.41 |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1885-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

necklace

Museum number: 1987,0516.42.a-b |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1885-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

necklace

Museum number: 1987,0516.43.a-b |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1930-1940 |
Production place: Factory in:Hall Street (Birmingham)

necklace

Museum number: 1987,0516.40 |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1885-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

pendant

Museum number: 1987,0516.74.a-g |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1890-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

pendant

Museum number: 1987,0516.72.a-g |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1890-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

pendant

Museum number: 1987,0516.73.a-h |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1890-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

pendant

Museum number: 1987,0516.75.a-e |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1890-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

pendant; charm; amulet

Museum number: 1987,0516.47.a-c |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1910-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Hall Street (Birmingham)

pendant

Museum number: 1987,0516.71.a-h |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1890-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain

Museum number: 1987,0516.21.a-c |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1876-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain

Museum number: 1987,0516.16.a-c |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1885-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain

Museum number: 1987,0516.12.a-c |
Producer name: BIOG72434 Factory of:James Rogers |
Production date: 1885-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain

Museum number: 1987,0516.15.a-d |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1885-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain; show-card

Museum number: 1987,0516.1.a-k |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1886-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain

Museum number: 1987,0516.5.a-f |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1886-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain

Museum number: 1987,0516.8.a-c |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1891-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain; show-card

Museum number: 1987,0516.23.a-c |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1876-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain

Museum number: 1987,0516.18 |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1885-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain

Museum number: 1987,0516.6.a-k |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1885-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain

Museum number: 1987,0516.20.a-f |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1885-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain

Museum number: 1987,0516.7.a-g |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1886-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain

Museum number: 1987,0516.17 |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1885-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain; pendant

Museum number: 1987,0516.2.a-f |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1885-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain

Museum number: 1987,0516.13.a-c |
Producer name: BIOG72434 Factory of:James Rogers |
Production date: 1885-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain

Museum number: 1987,0516.4.a-f |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1885-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain; show-card

Museum number: 1987,0516.24.a-c |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1893-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain

Museum number: 1987,0516.3.a-j |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1886-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain

Museum number: 1987,0516.22.a-c |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1876-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain

Museum number: 1987,0516.11.a-g |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1891-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain

Museum number: 1987,0516.10.a-i |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1891-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain

Museum number: 1987,0516.14.a-p |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1885-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain

Museum number: 1987,0516.19.a-l |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1888-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain pendant

Museum number: 1987,0516.32.a-f |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1893-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain pendant; compass

Museum number: 1987,0516.28.a-f |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1885-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain pendant

Museum number: 1987,0516.27.a-f |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1885-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain pendant; compass

Museum number: 1987,0516.26.a-f |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1885-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain pendant

Museum number: 1987,0516.30.a-c |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1885-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain pendant; compass

Museum number: 1987,0516.33.a-b |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1892-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain pendant; compass

Museum number: 1987,0516.29.a-f |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1885-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-chain pendant

Museum number: 1987,0516.31.a-c |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1893-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

watch-fob; seal-pendant

Museum number: 1987,0516.35.a-f |
Producer name: BIOG75417 Factory of:N C Reading & Co Ltd |
Production date: 1885-1920 |
Production place: Factory in:Warstone Lane

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