A large 19th century model of a cockerel, import marks for London 1899

The importer’s mark J.S struck on this model is one of three entered at the London Assay Office on 20 October 1898 (and defaced on 16 May 1901) by John George Smith (24 January 1869 – 1 April 1952) as head of John George Smith & Co., proprietors of the Continental Daily Parcels Express of Gracechurch Street, London, and Dover, Kent.

John George Smith was born at Dover on 24 January 1869, his father, also John George Smith (1823-1895) being at the time a Custom House agent. On 26 April 1900 the younger Smith, then living at 87 Sloane Street, London, changed his surname by deed Poll to Piddington. (St. James's Gazette, London, Wednesday, 2 May 1900, p. 2c) Piddington was the maiden name of his mother, Elizabeth Susanna (1831-1879), daughter of John Piddington (1803-1891), a former silk mercer who became one of the partners in the Continental Daily Parcels Express.