Hancocks & Co

Hancocks & Co is a retail jeweller in London, founded on 1 January 1849 by Charles F. Hancock, a former partner of Storr and Mortimer. The first shop was opened at a corner of Bruton Street and New Bond Street, in London. It has moved several times since then. Hancocks has become notable for the manufacture of the Victoria Cross medals and also for the various Royal Warrants that it holds. It has recently expanded and moved to a Georgian townhouse on St James Street in London.

History

Charles Frederick Hancock

Hancocks London on St James Street

Hancock at the 1873 Vienna World's Fair

Hancocks' first gallery opened at a corner of Bruton Street and New Bond Street, in London in 1849. Hancocks subsequently moved in 1917 to Vigo Street, in 1970 to Burlington Gardens, in 1998 to Burlington Arcade and, in 2024, to 62 St James Street. Hancocks has exhibited at several renowned exhibitions. The first exhibition that Hancocks attended was the Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in 1851. It then participated in international exhibitions at Paris in 1867 and Vienna in 1873 where Hancocks was awarded medals of excellence. Hancocks continues to participate in major exhibitions around the world.^[1]

In 1998, Hancocks acquired the business of S.J. Rood, diamond merchants and jewellery manufacturers. S.J. Rood were themselves awarded a Royal Warrant by Mary of Teck, queen consort of King George V, in 1921 and are famous as the creators of the “For....” series of rings which were gifted to Queen Mary’s ladies-in-waiting on their marriage.^[2] Hancocks currently occupies a Georgian townhouse with three gallery floors on St James Street in London.

Royal Appointments and Warrants

On 13 August 1849, after only eight months in business, Hancocks received the Royal Appointment of Queen Victoria. Many of the principal sovereigns of Europe also became regular patrons. There can be little doubt that the rapid expansion by Charles Hancock during the formative years of the Company led to Hancocks being entrusted with the design and production of the Victoria Cross on the inception of the award in 1856.^[3] This medal is still made exclusively by Hancocks.^[4]

In 1962 the Company was granted the Royal Warrant as Goldsmiths and Silversmiths to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

S.J. Rood

S.J. Rood was established in London’s Burlington Arcade in 1873 by the Allen family. From 1900 onwards the firm enjoyed great success with affluent Londoners and was awarded a Royal Warrant by Queen Mary.

It operated independently until it were acquired by Hancocks in 1998. Hancocks then took over the Rood premises in Burlington Arcade and, in 2024, expanded and moved to its new home - a Georgian townhouse on St James Street.

Victoria Cross made by Hancock & Co

Current business

Hancocks, founded in 1849, is still family owned and is one of London's oldest independent family run jewellers, specialising in rare and collectable jewels. Guy Burton, Managing Director, and his sister, Amy Burton, Creative Director, lead the business which is highly regarded for its collection of the finest old cut diamonds, important gemstones and antique and vintage jewellery.^[5] Hancocks London is based at 62 St James Street in London.

References

^ "Hancocks of London History of VC". Hancocks of London events. Retrieved 2 September 2007.
^ "S.J.ROOD - JEWELLERS". S.J.ROOD - JEWELLERS. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
^ "Hancocks of London History of VC". Hancocks of London. Archived from the original on 27 August 2008. Retrieved 2 September 2007.
^ Imperial War Museum. "The Victoria Cross". archive.iwm.org.uk. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
^ "Hancocks of London today". Hancocks of London. Archived from the original on 16 February 2006. Retrieved 24 June 2007.