Mappin & Webb's Royal Works on Norfolk Street. ©Picture Sheffield
In 1859 the four brothers in Mappin Bros. quarrelled and the youngest, John, left to set up Mappin & Co at The Royal Cutlery Works on Pond Hill. He recruited his brother in law George Webb to join his firm, and by 1868 they were known as Mappin & Webb & Co. It was in 1903 that Mappin & Webb bought Mappin Bros, and became Mappin & Webb (Mappin Bros incorporated) and the firms were finally united.
In 1922 Mappin & Webb moved to a new factory on Queen’s Road called the Royal Works, which they claimed was ‘one of the largest and best equipped of its kind in the United Kingdom’. It covered 15,000 square yards and employed nearly 1000 people. In the 1930s their key markets were hotels, restaurants and steamships, and a single order for the hospitality industry could consist of up to 20,000 pieces of cutlery.
By 1961, the company employed over 2000 people and in 1963 it merged with Elkington, a Birmingham company, and Walker & Hall to create British Silverware Ltd. This was not a success, and the Royal Works closed in 1971. The name of Mappin & Webb was bought, and still survives as a luxury jewellers holding royal warrants for the Queen and the Prince of Wales. In 2012 Mappin & Webb’s master craftsman was appointed Crown Jeweller, acting as custodian of the crown jewels. They prepare the Crown Jewels for the State Opening of Parliament and any other state occasions.
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Mappin & Webb still exist as a luxury jewellery brand and have acted as Crown Jeweller since 2012. The company have a company history and timeline on their website.