I was very pleased to find and purchase these wonderful cabinet makers clamps, stamped ‘aux mines de suede, Paris’. The ‘Parry of Old Street’ address was what drew me to them though. I had already heard mention of Parry, when I was reading up for an earlier post of mine about Tyzack, another Hackney resident. Old Street is just round the corner from me, I must go and have a look what inhabits no.329 now.
From the excellent Tyzack.net:
Shoreditch, covered just one square mile. It had grown faster than any other London parish in the first half of the century. Demolition made in the 1860’s, for the rail link between Dalston and Broad Street, ousted many locals. It came within feet of ejecting Samuel. Sanitary conditions began to improve after the Metropolis Management Act of 1855. In 1864 the sewer system was completed.
After Samuel died in 1903, the Tyzack shop by the station remained in his name until 1905. From 1905 the directory records that Edgar renamed the shops as “Samuel Tyzack and Sons”. Edgar had no sons, which was why he tried, unsuccessfully, to adopt my father. Later he saw another chance to continue the family name. He tried to get Cecil Tyzack, his older step-brother’s son, into the business, but they argued and fell out. As a result, about 1936, Cecil started yet another Tyzack tool company, which still exists at Nos. 79-81 Kingsland Road. Late in his life Edgar had a daughter Margaret, and the shop by the station continued to trade under the family name until 1987. Parry’s Tools had been a competitor. Parry died and his widow offered the business to Edgar, following Parry’s wish. Edgar bought it and sold his railway site. The two businesses were merged in the smaller premises of Parry’s at No. 329 Old Street. It continues to operate with a smart green sign saying Parry Tyzack. Alas there is no one with the family name now involved.
What I’m more confused about, is a tool that’s clearly stamped by Parry, but also with the French stamp? Is this a pair of clamps that came from the French factory, and Parry was the seller? Or perhaps they were only stamped to show they belonged to his workshop. Maybe someone can throw some light on that for me. For the time being, these will hang on the wall of my fictional workshop, which I will one day have, when we can afford a house large enough for it!
