George Betjemann & Sons

George Betjemann & Sons were a London based cabinet makers founded in 1851 by George Betjemann.

It became George Betjemann & Sons in 1858 when his two sons, George William and John joined the firm. They patented various mechanisms, the most impressive being one which automatically spread out the two side ‘trays’ and opened the front panel as the lid of the dressing case was opened. This was patented in 1862 and went on to be included in other manufacturers boxes including Asprey. They displayed their work at the International Exhibition of 1862 and also at the Paris International Exposition in 1867.

Amongst other things, they produced a range of dressing cases and jewellery boxes with elaborate silver trimmings and registered a hallmark in 1900.

The firm continued with various generations of Betjemann sons, converting into a limited company in 1909 until 1939 when John (the future poet laureate Sir John Betjeman) having no interest in running it, sold it to Puddefoot, Bowers & Simonett Ltd.