I. Sutcliffe, Birmingham

Isherwood Sutcliffe, born in 1807, certainly established his varnish making business in 1849, the year he moved to 27 Great Hampton Street. Two years later he took part in the Great Exhibition. The Official Catalogue lists some of the products he exhibited in the impressive Crystal Palace erected in Hyde Park, London: ornamental papier-maché, trays, loo-table, work-tables, vases, folios, caddies, work-boxes, ink-stands, etc. (one of his papier-maché trays, made at an unknown date, can be seen here).
Other than varnish manufacturer, several publications give his profession as bronzer or japanner, both quite unsual in today's world.
Isherwood Sutcliffe died in 1871 and was buried at Warstone Lane Cemetery in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter. A peculiar headstone designed by L. W. Sutcliffe was erected on his tomb in 1888.

The company survived for 41 years after the death of its founder but in 1912 it went into winding-up. A liquidator was called in and the assets of Isherwood Sutcliffe & Co Ltd were disposed of.

Established ...
I. Sutcliffe
Maker of Varnishes
Paints. Colours
Wholesale & Retail
... Turpentine. Tar
Parafin

Location: Great Hampton Street / Pictures taken in May 2012