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Charles Thomas Fox

The founder of the firm was Charles Fox, 'plate worker' active at 139 Old Street, Goswell Street. He was not apprenticed through the Goldsmiths' Company nor he was a freeman of the Company. Charles Fox registered a mark in 1801 in partnership with James Turner (at 3 Old Street) and a unique mark alone on 5 September 1804. In 1822 he was succeeded by his son, Charles Fox II, who entered various marks in 1822, 1823 (4 marks) and 1838. Also, Charles Fox II did not have apprentices nor was a Freeman of the Goldsmiths' Company. His works shows consistently high quality, and the rapid entry of marks suggests a fairly large establishment with varying marks used for different categories of work. Fox can be considered the last individualist plateworker before the age of Victorian mass production. At the retirement of Charles Fox II, the family business was taken over by his sons Charles Thomas Fox (born 1801) and George Fox (born 1816). They entered conjoined marks in 1841 and 1843. Charles Thomas Fox retired from the firm in 1860 and George Fox continued running the firm entering his own mark in 1861. Other marks were entered in 1869 and 1891. After the death of George Fox his son Robert Frederick Fox (born 1845) continued the trade as C.T. & G Fox entering his own mark in 1910. The firm closed down in 1921. .