Dear Malcolm
Thank you for your interesting reply. I am pleased that you also have an
interest in this Society and thought you would like to know the context
from which my enquiry came. I have an aluminium advertising token 23.5mm
round and with a plain edge with the following legends:
Side 1 (obverse) VAN WART LEIGHTON & CO, 110 CANNON'S / E.C.
Side 2 (reverse) The Balloon Society of Great Britain / 8th May / 1894.
I have traced the company from the London Directories and they existed from
1894 until about 1897 when the entry reads - Rudolf Van Wart - see
Aluminium & General Foundry Syndicate Ltd. (Henry Leighton, secretary).They
dealt in aluminium alloys, brass, copper gunmetals etc, head office
remaining at 110 Canon's with works in Goswell Road. From 1899 until about
1906 they also had works at at Nursery Walk, Romford. In 1908 their head
office was at 108, Queen Victoria Street. I believe the date of 8th May
1894 was the opening of the Company but I would have to confirm this by
consulting Companies House.
My immediate thought was that Van Wart's supplied aluminium alloy struts to
act as frames for baskets under balloons but I could be totally wrong.
Perhaps Van Wart's were active members of a debating society and that they
did indeed have a very wide range of speakers. For me at the moment I still
find it a bit of a mystery and hope that you will find this information of
interest.
Regards
Stuart
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