AN UNUSUAL AND UNUSUALLY HEAVY VICTORIAN SILVER PRESENTATION INKSTAND, HENRY MANTON, BIRMINGHAM, 1859

the cast shaped rectangular rocky base supporting a central seated cherub figure taperstick, two wickerwork basket inkwells each with a detachable contemporary silver-mounted ruby glass inkpot, same maker, Birmingham, 1858, the base further fitted with a wafer compartment with hinged cover in the form of a straw hat, engraved on one side with an inscription

The inscription reads 'Presented to John Blackwell Esquire by the Employes [sic] of his Father at Northwick, Winsford&Sanbach Salt Works, as a token of their high esteem & sincere regard on his attaining his Majority 12 .March . 1860'

'MIDDLEWICH. – On Monday last [12 March 1860] a most substantial dinner was provided at Malkin's Bank, near Sandbach, by James Blackwell, Esq., of Newton Lodge, Middlewich, on the occasion of his son, Mr. John Blackwell, coming of age, for his numerous workmen and their wives, from Northwich, Winsford, and Malkin's Bank. In the evening the men and their wives had a ball in one of the large storerooms, and the refreshment room was abundantly supplied. Middlewich, too, had its share of the rejoicing – the bells ringing merrily on Monday and Tuesday; and on the latter day, the women of Newton were treated with tea. In the evening a splendid ball took place in the Assembly Room, at Mr. Barrett's, the White Bear Inn, which was attended by between 70 and 80 ladies and gentlemen. Dancing was kept up with much spirit, and the company did not separate until five o'clock the next morning. The refreshments were of the first quality.' (Cheshire Observer and General Advertiser for Cheshire and North Wales, Chester, Saturday, 17 March 1860, p. 7d)

John Blackwell was the eldest son of James Blackwell, salt manufacturer, of Newton Lodge, Middlewich, Cheshire, and his wife, Mary. Born in 1839 he married on 28 July 1864 at Knutsford Parish Church, Cheshire, Fanny Eliza Gallop, third daughter of George Gallop, Governor of the County House of Correction at Knutsford.

Henry Manton, son of John Manton and his wife, Sarah, was baptised at St. Peter, Droitwich, Worcestershire, on 10 October 1809. He appears to have set up in business as a silversmith in his early 20s, entering the first of several marks at the Birmingham Assay Office on 14 March 1832. At that time he was at Hutton Street, Birmingham, but during 1834 moved to 110 Great Charles Street, Birmingham, where his firm flourished for many years. On 24 December 1833, at St. Phillips, Birmingham, he married Margaret Joseph, by whom he had a son, Henry John, who was born on 27 December 1834.

According to Henry Manton's trade card of about 1845 (see John Culme, 19^th Century Silver, London, 1977, p. 155), he was a 'Silversmith and Manufacturer of Castor Smelling Bottle Tops, Cork Mounts, Labels, Butter Knives, Pickle Forks, Caddee Shells, Salt Spoons, Pencil Cases, Toothpicks, Thimbles, &c.' By the time of the International Exhibition of 1862, when Manton's exhibited 'Fancy silver goods,' the firm appears to have been by Henry John Manton. His father, meanwhile, had become interested in local politics; an Alderman of Birmingham he became the city's mayor in 1861. He was also a long-serving  Sunday school teacher, President of the Birmingham Sunday School Union and, at the time of his death on 23 August 1903, a local magistrate.

H.J. Manton, who for many years was a member of the Board of Guardians of Birmingham City Council and who was regarded as an authority on matters affecting the Poor Law, was knighted in 1912. He died in 1924.