The History of Asprey & Co.

ZZThe house of Asprey is a leading British luxury goods company with a rich and storied heritage dating back to the 18^th century. Founded in 1781 by William Asprey as a silk printing workshop in Mitcham, Surrey, the company is renowned today as a purveyor of exquisite leather goods, jewellery, timepieces, and other luxury items based in the heart of central London.

William Asprey was descendent of French Huguenots who fled to England to escape religious persecution in France. He initially made a name for Asprey with dressing cases; when William passed away in the late 1820s, one of his elder sons, Charles took over the firm. In 1841 Charles formed a partnership, Kennedy & Asprey, with his son in law, Francis Kennedy. Based at 49 Bond Street in London they specialised in stationery and the now famed dressing cases. The collaboration came to an end in 1846; while Kennedy remained at the London address, Charles and his son, also named Charles moved their business to 166 Bond Street the next year. 

Asprey gained significant favour and recognition when it received an “Honourable mention” for a dressing case entered into the Great Exhibition of 1851. The firm continued to grow and in 1858 they merged with revered box makers, Edwards, who held an existing Royal Warrant to produce dressing cases and writing boxes for the British monarchy; consequently, the Warrant became void.

^{Asprey & Co - An 18ct gold cigarette case and a matching vesta case}

^{Sold for £6,200}

In 1861 Asprey purchased the Alfred Club at 22 Albermarle Street, which backed onto their premises, a move that facilitated an increase in space as well as two entrances to the shop, each located on an exclusive street. The following year, a triumphant exhibition at the International Exhibition attracted the attention of Queen Victoria, who appointed Asprey with their own Royal Warrant for travel accessories; they have held a Royal Warrant ever since, for every British monarch to Queen Elizabeth.

The firm name was officially changed in 1872 to Charles Asprey & Sons, when another generation of Asprey’s joined the family business. The firm made another acquisition in 1888 with the purchase of furniture and decorative objects producers, Leuchars & Son, which included their manufactory in Sherwood Street. A year later the business was renamed C & G.E Asprey. At the turn of the century, in 1900, the company was again renamed, this time to Asprey & Co.

In 1906, Asprey bought out rivals and neighbours, Houghton & Gunn, who were based at 167 Bond Street. Two years later they purchased clockmakers William Payne & Co. While Asprey & Co. had established a reputation for the manufacture of bags, trunks and leather goods, their offerings expanded significantly during this period to include inhouse goldsmithing, silversmithing, watchmaking and jewellery services, which were located above the retail floor. They employed only the finest craftsmen, including Ernest Betjeman, who was one of the most highly regarded designers of his day.

^{A gold, diamond, yellow diamond, and onyx owl brooch}

^{Sold for £2,600}

The roaring twenties brought a flood of commissions for Asprey, from American millionaires such as J. Pierpont Morgan to foreign royalty and dignitaries such as the Maharajah of Patiala. The luxury merchant became an emporium for discerning buyers seeking exquisite and exotic items. From silverware, timepieces and books to jewellery, glass and home wares, the offering was substantial. 

During the early 1970s Asprey attracted notable attention from both Far Eastern and Middle Eastern visitors eager to spend money on luxurious goods and wares. As a result, Asprey expanded and opened concessions in Japan, Oman, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain by the middle of the decade.

Asprey was run by family members since inception and ownership was split between various branches of the family. However, in the 1970s, two family members sold their shares, which equated to 7% of the company, to Gabriel Harrison's property company, which was in turn eventually acquired by Alfred Dunhill Limited in 1979. In the 1980s things came to a head when one of the family branches sold a third of the stake in the business to Dunhill, increasing their share to 36.8%. While John Asprey managed to retain control of the brand for another decade, financial difficulties in 1995 forced the family to the sell Asprey & Co. to Prince Jefri Bolkiah.

Following poor performances, the new owners merged the company with Garrard in 1999, resulting in Asprey & Garrard (A&G) which was sold the following year. By 2006 the company was handed over to the bank who split A&G and sold each subsidiary off separately.

^{A comprehensive ten piece christening set}

^{Sold for £1,800}

Asprey has been favoured throughout their history by aristocracy and the elite, and the company remains a symbol of exclusivity, elegance, and the enduring legacy of British luxury. Today the reinstated Asprey & Co. Ltd still occupies 167 New Bond Street, although they no longer own the premises. There are flagship stores in London, New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and other major cities, catering to a discerning clientele seeking the finest luxury goods.

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Nicky Houston

Our Head of Department - Jewellery, Silver & Watches... Nicky is a highly respected Auctioneer & Valuer, who had dreams of becoming an artist. Whilst she may not have made it as a successful artist herself, Nicky has helped many a customer to successfully sell and buy beautiful pieces of jewellery and works of art over her many years working within the auction industry.

 

Jewellery Silver & Objects of Virtue Watches

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