Maple & Co.

Maple & Co. was a British furniture maker at 141-150 Tottenham Court Road in London, which was especially successful during the Victorian and Edwardian era.[1]

William and Mary walnut drop-front secretary with single hood top by Maple, around 1910

History

It was founded by John Maple in the early 19th century. It was later run by John Blundell Maple, 1st Baronet. Maple became one of the prime makers and suppliers of furniture to the aristocracy and royalty in the United Kingdom.[2] One of the houses that was furnished with Maple is York Cottage.

In 1889, Maple & Co occupied the block surrounded by Tottenham Court Road, Euston Road, Gower Street and Grafton Street.[3] One of the suppliers that produced bedroom and dining cabinets for Maple was Harris Lebus.

After the end of World War II and the change in tastes and the cost manufacturing factors, the decline started. In 1980 the furniture maker Waring & Gillow joined with Maple & Co., to become Maple, Waring & Gillow. It subsequently became part of Allied Maples Group Ltd, which included Allied Carpets when it was acquired by supermarket chain Asda in 1988 . In 1997 it went into administration,[4] and was taken over by the retailer Allders.[5]

From 1901, electrical power to the London shop was supplied by a 140 bhp three cylinder Willans engine steam generating set. This was retired in 1957 and placed on display at the original Willans factory in Rugby. In 2011 it was recognised with an Engineering Heritage Award.[6][7] In 2017 it was transferred to the Internal Fire – Museum of Power in West Wales.[8]

Further reading
  • Hugh Barty-King: Maples Fine Furnishers - A Household Word for 150 Years. Quiller Press, 1992
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References
  1. "Maple & Co Antique Furniture - Antiques World". 3 January 2014.
  2. BBC; BBC. "BBC - Radio 4 Making History - Sir John Blundell Maple - Victorian furniture entrepreneur".
  3. Kowal, K. C. "Insurance Plan of London North West Vol. C: sheet 5". www.bl.uk.
  4. "Maples furniture empire collapses after 150-year history".
  5. "Allders Stores - A Date with History". dailybritain.wordpress.com.
  6. "Engineering Heritage Awards" (PDF) (5th ed.). Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). p. 47.
  7. "Central Valve Steam Engine". Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
  8. "Victorian engine built in Rugby leaves for restoration in Wales". Rugby Advertiser. 20 June 2017.

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