HISTORY OF HERSEY & SON
OUR STORY
M. C. Hersey & Son Ltd is a Silversmiths workshop based in London manufacturing sterling silver tableware as well as jewellery and silver gifts.
The founder of the company, Michael Hersey, established the business in 1971 having served 16 years as a silver spinner in Soho and Clerkenwell, starting as an apprentice at William Comyn's workshop in 1955. His son, Stewart, joined him in 1981 after training as a Silversmith at The Sir John Cass School of Art, now part of London Guildhall University and at Grant Macdonald's workshop in Southwark. Today the company are a team of silver spinners, silversmiths, polishers and engravers as well as a friendly bunch in the office to look after our customers and ensure that dealing with us is a simple and pleasurable experience. Here at Hersey we are passionate about keeping the crafts of Silversmithing alive and the team use many time tested techniques which date back centuries alongside the latest cutting edge technology to create high quality and well designed pieces that will be enjoyed for generations to come.
Stewart Hersey is a Liveryman of The Goldsmiths’ Company and a Freeman of London. M.C Hersey & Son Ltd are members of the National Association of Jewellers.
HERSEY & SON TIMELINE
- 1954 - Michael joins Wm Comyns & Sons as a silver polisher aged 15 years earning £2.7/6
- 1955 - Michael changes trade to silver spinner and starts apprenticeship with Comyns.
- 1966 - Michael starts work at CJ Vander in Hatton Garden.
- 1968 - Michael rents a small workshop in Clerkenwell Green, still working at Vanders also.
- 1971 - Michael teams up with silversmith David Mills and they move to Rawstorne St, Clerkenwell.
- 1971 - Stewart drilling holes in silver sugar dredgers etc on Saturday mornings (Aged 10!)
- 1974 - Michael and David acquire shop premises at 43 Church St, Twickenham with workshop behind.
- 1977 - Stewart starts apprenticeship with Grant Macdonald in Southwark, London.
- 1981 - Stewart joins Mills and Hersey in Twickenham.
- 1984 - David Mills leaves and M.C Hersey & Son begins.
- 1987 - Hersey & Son move to larger premises in Railway Road, Teddington.
- 1987 onwards - Continued expansion manufacturing silverware at home and abroad.
- 1999 - Websites Practicalsilverware.co.uk and Hersey.co.uk launched and selling on the internet began.
- 2006 - Michael hangs up his spinning tool and retires.
- 2007 - Stewart moves the company to Walton on T'hames.
- 2016 - Stewart becomes a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths'
- 2021 - Stewart becomes a Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths'
As seen in
About Hersey Silversmiths
The history of Hersey Silversmiths and a look around our Surrey based workshop. We have been in London since 1955 and want to share our passion of fine silver and engraving