Bio & Information
Joseph Willmore (England 1773-1855) Bio <br><br>
Joseph Willmore Born in 1773 was the grandson of Thomas Willmore, an original member of the Birmingham Assay Office since its establishment in 1773 Thomas Willmore entered his mark at Birmingham Assay Office in partnership with James Alston between 1773 and 1801, though later marks show that both were independent silversmiths Willmore was a buckle maker and Alston operated as a button maker Joseph Willmore took over the business on Thomas’s death in 1816 Joseph had already registered his mark at Birmingham Assay Office in 1806-7 as a snuff-box maker which he was renowned for He also registered at London Assay Office in 1814-5 where he had a showroom in Bouverie Street and later Thavies Inn in Holborn This fact suggests that he had distinctive sense of business He clearly understood the importance of marketing his products to his wealthy customers living in London He registered a new hallmark at Birmingham Assay Office as a make of handles of knife and fork in 1831-2, and as a make of silver-gilt knife, fork and spoon in 1832-3 Joseph entered into a partnership with two other Birmingham silversmiths, John Yapp and John Woodward His death in 1855 brought an end to the Willmore connection with silversmithing His apprentice George Unite became a renowned silversmith in his own right
