Readers may have noticed that we at Akeman Press are mainly interested in industrial archaeology – the history of working people and their crafts.
In selecting pictures for our books, we often use the archive of the Museum of Bath at Work (MoB@W) now open again after lockdown.
This week’s archive pictures include two from our collection and one from the museum’s. There is a link between the three photos, which show two different locations linked by the history of transport and one company – Fuller’s.
The first is an illustration from a trade magazine of 1888, published by the British Industrial Publishing Company, to advertise ‘British Industry and Enterprise’.
Our edition is in a fragile condition since it was never intended to last this long, and lists the companies of Bath and Bristol. Not only is this a mine of information for anyone interested in the industrial past, it also contains many illustrations.
This one is of Fuller’s carriage and harness manufactory, huge works which were in Kingsmead Street, and ran right through to Monmouth Street. By 1888 they were widely regarded as Bath’s best coach-builders, and had won gold medals at exhibitions, as well as holding royal licences.
To reach this position, they had outlasted other competitors who, in earlier years, had been more famous, such as Vezey’s of Longacre and Milsom Street.
The Fullers were innovators, and when motor cars came in, they soon turned to fitting out cars. By 1910, the Bath Chronicle was reporting a success. ‘Mr. Kenneth C. L. Fuller, of the firm of Messrs. S. A. Fuller, has taken first and second places respectively in the two competitions for original and full size interior and sectional drawing of Motor Bodies, arranged by the Coach Company, and open to all the Coach and Motor Draughtsmen in the Kingdom.’
The second picture, from the MoB@W archive, shows the old building and its staff at about this time.
The company went on to be the agent for Ford cars initially but was then associated with British makes such as Austin and Armstrong Siddeley. Eventually, part of the factory was designated Bath Garage Company, and then Kingsmead Motor Company.
But what is the connection with the Bear Garage, the subject of the third picture? This was open by 1919 as The Victor Motor Company, opened by Victor Smith and Ewart Colmer. In 1925, it changed hands and became known as the Bear Garage.
However, in April 1942, the Fullers works and the Kingsmead Motor Company fell victim to bombing. By 1952, when Fullers were described as ‘specialists in the service and maintenance of Austin Cars’, a large part of the Bear Garage was run by the Kingsmead Motor Company.
This probably explains the splendid display of 1950s Austin cars. Many of these would now be collectors’ items. The building, by this time numbered 122 Wells Road, was demolished in 1988. Fenton House now stands on the site.
Content © Kirsten Elliott & Akeman Press