Gamlen Brothers, Outfitters, Fore Street.
An 1893 sketch of Gamlen Bros, located on the corners of Fore Street and Catherine Street.
1866
Gamlen Brothers began operating in 1866; they sold clothes, both tailor-made and
ready-made, from 53 Fore Street Devonport. According to
Industrial Great Britain
[1] one of the brothers left the partnership almost immediately; thereafter the
company was run by Albert F Gamlen.
1871
Four years after the business started Gamlen were operating from numbers 52, 53
and 54 Fore Street, as indicated by the 1871 census. The census decribes Albert
F Gamlen as aged 32, his wife Annie as 29 and his daughter (Florence?) at 17 months.
Albert's occupation was given as 'Clothier. The Gamlen household had a servant,
Elizabeth Scoble aged 18, and a nurse, Mary Ann Haddy aged 15 (probably looking
after the new baby).
1873
By 1873 the company is shown in the Three Towns Directory for Plymouth, Devonport
and Stonehouse, as 'Gamlen Brothers, Tailors and Clothiers, 53 and 54 Fore Street.
1888
Gamlen Bros is described as 'Clothiers, etc' in the Plymouth, Devonport and Stonehouse
Directory of 1888, trading at 53 and 54 Fore Street.
1893
By now Gamlen Bros was recognised as a major business in Devon & Cornwall. An article
was written about the company in a national publication,
Industrial Great Britain:
[1]. The article is transcribed below...
Start of article...
Gamlen Bros.,
Star Clothing Mart,
53 and 54, Fore Street,
Devonport.
“Tis not in mortals to command success,” but if an enterprising spirit, wide experience,
energetic administration, and practical acquaintance with every detail of a colossal
business successfully carried on for upwards of a quarter of a century, are to count
for anything, Mr. A.F. Gamlen may truly be said to have deserved it.
Established
as far back as 1866, the business originally belonged to the present proprietor
and his brother, who, however, withdrawing from the concern nine months afterwards
to start elsewhere on his own account, Mr. A.F. Gamlen took over the entire control
of the premises, where he has traded ever since under the original style and title
of Gamlen Bros.
The business, though first started at No 53, under his skilful management
so rapidly increased that, in order to successfully cope with it, the incorporation
of No 54 became essential, since which event the trade has been steadily progressive,
securing public favour and commercial estimation. The premises, eligibly situated
at the junction of Catherine Street with Fore Street, occupy a prominent position
as a depot for the supply of goods of the best quality.
The whole building standing
three stories high, is provided a tht ebase with four spacious show-windows, offering
the best facilities for displaying a large and varied stock of fashionable suiting,s
“ready-mades” of all kinds for gentlemen, men’s, youths’, and boys’ suits, and juvenile
wear of every description and of excellent quality; hats of choice quality and latest
fashion, caps, collars, gloves, ties, white and coloured shirts, a large assortment
of braces, including te firm’s speciality, the “Sampson,” guaranteed to stand a
strain of 150lbs., and handkerchiefs in every possible make and value, all arranged
in the most attractive manner, and exercising a seductive influence upon the spectator.
The interior is a well-stocked establishment comprising four spacious rooms, and
the various departments in connection therewith are men’s “ready-made,” “mechanic
and artisan,” “hosiery,” “hat and cap,” and an “odd and end” department. There is
also a department for the bespoke trade, which is well patronised, although the
bulk of the business done is in the ready-made department.
Mr Gamlen intends taking
in as partner his son Jackson Taylor, who has recently returned from London, where
he has been gaining practical experience in the wholesale and retail clothing trade.
All the bespoke work is executed on the premises, and by thoroughly capable workmen,
under the active superintendence of the proprietor, complete satisfaction being thereby
assured. Mr Gamlen was privileged in the supplying and making of sailor suits for
H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught, a fact bearing pointed testimony to the wide-spread
character of his business reputation. His trade is a ready-money one, and is also
wholesale and retail. It is widely distributed in Devon and Cornwall, while the
amount of export trade done with Ireland in connection with the coastguard there,
is considerably in excess of that of any other shop in the trade. Clothes are only
made on the premises when ordered, and the goods thus supplied have given the greatest
satisfaction to a large and ever increasing number of patrons.
A large staff of
assistants are employed in the various branches of the ready-made department, their
unfailing courtesy to every clas of customer forming a very pleasing feature of
this deservedly popular business establishment. There are extensive stores at the
back of the premises, and goods are delivered throughout the Three Towns free of
charge. Constant solicitude for his patrons’ convenience is a prominent feature
of Mr. Gamlen’s management, and to this is undoubtedly due those indications of
augmented success which the visitor can hardly fail to observe.
End of Article.
1890s Advertisement
Devonport residents were able to purchase the latest London and Parisian fashions, as per this 1890s advertisement.
1897 Queen Victoria Jubilee Medal
On 23 September 1896, Queen Victoria became the longest-reigning monarch in British history.
At the Queen's request celebrations were delayed until 1897, to coincide with her
Diamond Jubilee.[2]. Gamlen Bros joined in the national celebrations with the production
of a company medal.
Gamlen Bros Queen Victoria celebration medal.
Although Queen Victoria became longest reigning monarch in 1896, in accordance with
everyone else in the nation Gamlen Bros used the Jubilee year of 1897 for production
of their medal.
1901 - Alterations to Shop
Planning permission was sought in this year to rebuild and alter number 68-69 Fore
Street. [3] The description given in Plymouth City records is ...
quote Block
plan showing Fore Street, King Street, Queen Street, Catherine Street and lanes.
Plan showing ground plan and first floor plans of number 69 as at present. Plan
showing basement plan of number 68 as proposed, ground plans of numbers 68-69 as
proposed and first floor plans of number 68-69 as proposed. Plan showing second
floor plan of number 68 as proposed, third floor plan of number 68 as proposed and
front elevation of house number 68 as proposed. Transverse section through number
68 mainhouse, elevation of tenement as proposed to be erected, transverse section
through tenements of number 68-69 as proposed. Correspondence from Herny G Luff,
architect, to Chairman of the Surveyors Committee, 23 Mar 1901. Notice of intention
to build, 23 May 1901. Architect: Henry George Luff. Owner: A F Gamlen, clothier.
Application approved, 17 Jun 1901.
unquote
1902
In various sections of Kelly's Directory of Devon 1902 are found the following insertions relating to Gamlen:
- Gamlen" Brothers, tailors & hosiers, 53 & 54 Fore street, D
- Duke Street Ope North Side
- 25 Gamlen Jackson T, 53 & 54 Gamlen Bros, tailors
- Gamlen Jackson T, 25 Devon terrace, Mutley, P
- Volunteer Battalion 2nd (Prince of Wales's) Devonshire
Regiment Devonport detachment, G Co. Lieut. J. T. Gamlen;
1906-1907
The following entries are to be found in the 1906-1907 Devonport Names' Directory:
- Gamlen A.F. 53-54 Fore Street
- Gamlen A.J. Underhill, Belmont villas,
- Gamlen Bros. 43 Catherine Street
1923
Gamlen Brothers, Tailors, were still in business in 1923 and, according to the directory this year was trading only from 69 and 70 Fore Street.
1930
The last known reference to Gamlen Brothers, Clothiers and Outfitters, 69 Fore Street, was in 1930 [4]. the company's telephone number was given as 333.
Trade Cards c1930
Around 1930 Gamlen Bros produced this set of advertising trade cards, indicating company stores at 68, 69 and
70 Fore Street Devonport, Launceston, Okehampton, and Tavistock & Callington markets.
On the front of each card is a humorous image and Billiard Phrase; the two examples shown here are
'Putting Him Down' and 'Putting on Side'.
On the reverse of each card there is an advert for different departments of Gamlens, including ...
- Suits to Measure
- Working Clothing
- Boys Odd Garments
- Sports Coats
- Breeches or Pantaloons.
References:
1. Industrial Great Britain: A Commercial Review of Leading Firms Selected
From Important Towns of England with Illustrations of England's Prominent Edifices.
Historical, Statistical, Biographical. 1893 London Printing and Engraving
Company, 53 & 54, Chancery Lane, London,
2. A Wiki page, available at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Victoria
3. Plymouth & West Devon Record Office Ref
PCC/60/1/770
4. Devonshire Trades Directory 1930
(page added 31 October 2011)