Catalogue description J C & J FIELD LTD

Thomas Field was established as a wax chandler in Lambeth Marsh before 1581. In 1642 another Thomas Field, possibly a grandson, started a firm of wax chandlers. In the mid eighteenth century it began to manufacture soap. By 1800, the style of the firm was John and Charles Field, but after the admission of the senior partner's eldest son, it took the present name. The business was incorporated in 1887.

By 1891 it had premises in Bermondsey, Battersea, West Molsley and Lambeth, although in 1904 the manufacture of oil soap and toilet soap were transferred to Lambeth from Bermondsey and Battersea respectively. A large site was purchased at Rainham in 1903. However, as the demand for candles fell, the company diversified into hard household soap, and there were several reconstructions of the company. Its toiletry range became especially profitable. Fields of Bond Street was a well known name. It was taken over by Griffith Hughes, which subsequently merged with Aspro-Nicholas (the makers of the 'Almay' range of cosmetics).

The survival of so few records is no doubt due to the deconstruction of the firms Lambeth premises in World War II. In May 1941, a direct hit started a fire that burnt for a week, only the chimney and fireproof safes being left intact.

1 box with IV/126.

2 vol shelf W4

J C and J Field Ltd, toiletry manufacturers

Acc No. AB 74466

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