1853. It is believed 13 Lancashire machines were purchased by George and Henry Holloway who had a dressmaking business in Stroud.
1861. The Company was listed as Sugden, Bradbury & Firth and employed 23 workers. The price of a sewing machine by this date was only £7.
Bradbury's Patent Binder
c1864 |
1862. Production was moved to Rhodes Bank Foundry, Oldham. The firm was now known as Bradbury & Company. It had two patents for folding attachments and an order for 500 machines. Bradbury's "Empire" Sewing Machine was exhibited at the Great Exhibition. It was invented by Joseph Mc Crossan of Glasgow and was unusual as it used no cams to produce the different movements.
1863. The Company was producing approximately 550 machines per annum.
1864 January. T. Chadwick joined the Company. Sewing machines available were: Lancashire, Thomas, & Howe types. Production of a shuttle sewing machine was discontinued due to patent problems.
1866. Building of Wellington Works commenced with frontages to Wellington Street, Park Road and Brunswick Street. The Northern side was bounded by a railway. The Factory appears to be two storey on early illustrations.
Bradbury's
Belgravia Sewing Machine |
1867. The Belgravia sewing machine was patented and introduced. 9th July is the earliest press mention of this machine we have. Production of the Belgravia continued until at least 1884. It could produce 6 types of stitches.
It received the Silver medals (1st) at Manchester and Liverpool.
1868 February. Production of the Belgravia was doubled to keep pace with demand. A Depot was opened at 5 King Street Manchester.
Belgravia awarded Silver medals at Southport and Middleton, 1st at Manchester, London & Rochdale.
1869. Belgravia awarded First Prize at Accrington and Middleton.
1870. Belgravia awarded first prize at Accrington
1871. Approximately 25000 machines produced per annum by 244 workers.
Machines available: Belgravia, Lancashire, Universal feed No’s 1 and 2 (A1 Repairer), Thomas Machine and Howe types No’s 1 A, 2 B and 3 C.
Paris and Bruxelles (Brussels) Depots listed.
1872. Lyons and Paris Exhibitions gold, silver and first prize for the Belgravia.
1873. Vienna Exhibition, Belgravia received the highest award and first for Valuable Inventions.
1874 5th May. The firm became a Limited Company. Officially known as Bradbury & Company Ltd with T. Chadwick and G. Bradbury as joint Managing Directors.
Manchester Exhibition - Gold Medal awarded.
Early
Bradbury
Trade Mark |
1875 24th June. "Dukes Head" Trade Mark used for first time. The range of machines was as in 1871 plus the Letter "S" Family and Medium machines and the Practical Tailor.
The Wellington Works had a floor area totalling approximately 115,000 Sq Ft and had offices on the "other side of the street". The Company employed 500 workers.
Depots were listed as Manchester, Liverpool, Birkenhead, London and Paris.
Paris and Manchester Exhibitions - Gold Medals.
1876 8th November. The Trade Mark was officially registered.
1877. 17 Depots listed including 44 Yorkshire Street Oldham but in September Bradburys Brussels Agent was made Bankrupt.
Machines available in this year were: Belgravia, Lancashire, Universal feed No’s 1 and 2 (A1 Repairer), Thomas Machine, Howe types No’s 1 A, 2 B and 3 C, Letter "S" Family and Medium machines, Practical Tailor, Beatrice, W & G type, Wax Thread, Plain Spool and the Wellington New lock stitch sewing machine was also in production.
1879. Rotary awarded Gold Medal at the Paris Exhibition.