STEWART F and W

Name	F and W STEWART
Country Of Origin	Australia
Skills	Watchmakers, Jewellers, Goldsmiths, Electro-Platers, Gilders, Opticians, Retailers
Work Locations	Launceston, Waratah, Burnie
Street Address	Central Charles Street, Launceston 149 Charles Street, Launceston 100 Charles Street, Launceston
Other	F & W Stewart operated from approximately 1878 to 2020. Brothers Frederick Whitaker Stewart and William Whitaker Stewart established the business. April 1884: F & W Stewart relocated one door from their original location in Central Charles Street with watchmaking and jewellery workrooms featuring three workbenches for jewellers and four for watchmakers. Approx. 1880s: Agents for American Waltham Watch Company. June 1887: Advertised the manufacture of medals in gold, silver, and other metals. August 1887: Purchased Sheffield watchmaking and jewellery business, Marriott and Oliver. July 1889: Manufactured a silver medallion for His Excellency the Governor, Sir Robert Hamilton. It was inscribed ‘First Tasmanian silver extracted from the ore, and manufactured by F and W Stewart, 1889.’ December 1891: Exhibitor in the Tasmanian Exhibition, Launceston. 1895: Dissolution of partnership – William continued F and W Stewart, and Frederick opened premises at 134 Brisbane Street. June 1904: F & W Stewart moved across the street to larger premises at 100 Charles Street, where they operated until the business closure in 2020. Launceston builders, J and T Gunn, were contracted to undertake renovations. March 1906: F and W Stewart manufactured medals to commemorate the Centenary of Launceston. The Examiner (Launceston) 20 December 1915: ‘F & W Stewart, Jewellers, Charles Street, is an established firm, which has for many years catered for all branches of its trade … In each department the stock is comprehensive … The first group I would like to mention is the French clocks. Set in frames of rosewood, mahogany, or oak, these timepieces are both quaint and attractive. The mechanical part of each clock is guarantee, whilst the decorative work in the frames appeals for itself. Daintiness of French handicraft is exemplified in the delicate touch of inlay in either lighter woods or mother-of-pearl. Then the unique designs, each one distinct, are another point for admiration. One of these French clocks would be a most acceptable gift.’ 1916: Death of William Stewart. By this time, his son, Harold Percy Stewart, was managing the firm. August 1945: The Tasmanian branch of the Federal Jewellers’ Association held their annual meeting at the office of F & W Stewart. Some apprentices, employees, and subcontractors: George Bailey, Walter Caldwell, Alfred Castley, Richard Darcey, Harold Doolan, Walter Eastburn, William Herbert Inglis Gray, John Ikin, Frederick Manson, Sydney Napper, Herbert Northeast, Joseph Sharpe, Frank Simpson, Albert Thomas, Fred Thomas, Harry Wathen, Robert Watson, Ralph Whittle, Frederick Williams, John Williams. 1991-2020: Business owner, Heather Stewart. 2020: F and W Stewart was sold to Tim Haab, Haab Jewellers.
References
Stewart family archive, 2019. Tasmania Post Office Directory 1890-1894. Cornwall Chronicle 3 August 1878; Devon Herald 3 June 1887; North Western Chronicle 5 August 1887; The Tasmanian 20 July 1889; The Tasmanian Democrat 12 April 1895; North West Advocate & Emu Bay Times 13 May 1903; Daily Telegraph 12 April 1884, 28 November 1884, 7 December 1904, 5 December 1910, 10 October 1923; The Tasmanian 19 December 1891; The Examiner (Launceston) 22 June 1904, 21 March 1906, 17 July 1916, 20 April 1932, 4 August 1945, 10 March 2015.