Ray Nimmo |
|
Welsh manufacturing jewellers Ammonite Ltd were based at Llandow Industrial Estate, Llandow, Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, CF71 7PB. They are documented as manufacturers of sterling silver gift ware including dishes, statuettes, ingot pendants, match box holders, pin cushions, scent bottles and thimbles. The business was incorporated on July 14, 1966 though it is not known when the company ceased trading and was dissolved. From my observations they made thimbles between 1977 and 1984 and used two main methods of production: i) casting using the lost wax method and ii) die forming using a hydraulic press and male and female dies. Using the latter method thimbles were made in two parts, shaped and soldered together. The earliest thimbles were cast, later examples were die formed. Ammonite Ltd made a range of UK national emblem thimbles (roses, daffodils, shamrocks, Scottish thistles) as well as Christmas and Easter thimble designs but are perhaps best known as makers of the 1981 Prince Charles and Lady Diana Royal Wedding thimbles. There were two designs and they were available in oxidised silver and silver gilt finishes. They still turn up quite regularly even today so were no doubt made in prodigious quantities. From 1982-84 thimble designs started appearing with a COG and/or B-L sponsors' marks. I suspect that Ammonite Ltd was dissolved in 1982 or 1983 but continued to trade using the marks of two successors who were probably partners or former co-directors. So far, B-L has not been identified but COG has been identified as Charles Owen George. Ammonite Ltd were commissioned to make thimbles for a Bristol based marketing company which went by the name of The Heritage Collection who had their UK headquarters at 1 Richmond Hill, Bristol BS8 1BA. They also had operations in Australia and South Africa. This company marketed a range of gift and souvenir ware. Ammonite also made thimbles for Hallmark Cards. These are usually stamped around the rim © 1980 HALLMARK CARDS, INC. STERLING UK. Other similar designs are simply stamped SILVER and may have been made for other retailers or for export. CAST THIMBLES, 1978
DIE FORMED THIMBLES
CHRISTMAS
EASTER
ROYAL WEDDING, 1981
OTHER THIMBLES
HALLMARK CARDS, INC. Ammonite Ltd made this 'Roses' thimble for Hallmark Cards, Inc. in 1980. Stamped around the rim © 1980 HALLMARK CARDS, INC. STERLING UK. Hallmark Cards marketed it as part of their Little Gallery range. Click picture to see a larger image (opens in new window) Click picture to see a larger image (opens in new window) PRESENTATION CASES
|
