Name: | Graves, J.G. Ltd.; Sheffield (GB) |
Abbreviation: | graves |
Products: | Model types |
Summary: |
J. G. Graves Ltd. Sheffield's J.G. Graves Ltd. started with watchmaker John George Graves (1866-1969), but his true success came from mail order (1897). By 1902, they employed 2,000 across various Sheffield stores! Embracing new trends, they added gramophones (1909) and significantly entered radio in the mid-1920s. Their Ariel brand offered affordable crystal sets (1923/4), while Vulcan radios (1926-late 1930s) catered to more advanced users. Though details are limited, they likely manufactured some radio components themselves, leveraging their existing electroplating expertise. Their mail-order network ensured national reach for their radio products. |
Founded: | 1894 |
Closed: | 1969 |
Production: | 1923 - |
History: |
From Watchmaker to Mail Order Giant: The Rise and Fall of J.G. Graves Ltd. John George Graves (1866-1945) started his journey in Sheffield as a watchmaker in the late 1880s. His entrepreneurial spirit soon blossomed, leading him to expand into jewelry, silverware, and cutlery by the early 1890s. However, Graves' true genius lay in recognizing the potential of mail order. In 1897, he launched this venture, which would become the cornerstone of his success. By 1902, the business employed a massive workforce of 2,000 and generated a staggering £1 million in annual revenue. The company was formally incorporated as J.G. Graves Ltd. in 1906, solidifying its position as a major player. Their reach expanded beyond Sheffield, with listings for general merchants, manufacturers, watchmakers, and jewelers on Durham Road, while electroplating operations flourished on Margaret Street (1911). J.G. Graves Ltd. embraced new trends, adding gramophones and records to their offerings in 1909. [1] The company further diversified in the mid-1920s, venturing into radio manufacturing in a significant way. This wasn't just a small addition to their product line. They established themselves as a notable player in the early days of domestic radio. J.G. Graves and the Dawn of Radio:
Despite their success, J.G. Graves Ltd. couldn't outrun the tides of change. The company eventually closed its doors in 1969, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and an impactful role in Sheffield's commercial landscape.[2] [1] Nursing Times Feb 13, 1909, Page 137. |
This manufacturer was suggested by Konrad Birkner † 12.08.2014.
Country | Year | Name | 1st Tube | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB | 27 | Vulcan III | Grid-leak detector, two transformer-coupled LF valves. Wave range 250-3000 metres. Oak cab... | |
GB | 27 | Aeolus 4 | Two HF valves with tuned anode, grid-leak or anode bend detector, transformer-coupled LF v... | |
GB | 23/24 | Ariel Crystal Set | BBC/PMG stamp, GPO No.880; Oak cabinet with headphone compartment where a matching Ariel A... | |
GB | 23/24 | Ariel Amplifier | Matches the Ariel Crystal Set, where it fits into the headphone compartment. | |
GB | 24 | Thameside | BBC stamp, GPO No.4542; Headphone compartment takes matching Tone Magnifier. | |
GB | 25 | Vulcan 1st version [2 Wander plugs] | Knob for tuning, lever for reaction. Wander plugs for wave change and for power on/off. | |
GB | 26 | Vulcan 3rd version [2 front switches] | Knob for tuning, lever for reaction. Switches for power and for waveband change. | |
GB | 29 | Regional | ||
GB | 32 | B3 | ||
GB | 33 | National | ||
GB | 37 | Aerial AC Superhet | ||
GB | 38 | Vulcan 3-Waveband Four Valve Battery Superhet | FC2A | A 3 band battery table radio housed in a satin finish walnut wooden cabinet. Wavebands SW... |
Further details for this manufacturer by the members (rmfiorg):
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