Why the name ‘Old Hall’?

The name is derived from a Salvation Army Mission Hall, known as ‘The Old Hall’, into which the company moved in 1904 when the stable at the rear of the Wiggin family home became too small for the expanding business set up in 1893 by James Thomas Wiggin and his eldest son James Enoch (hence the name J&J Wiggin).

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When did production of Old Hall begin?

William Wiggin made what is believed to be the world’s first item of stainless steel tableware (apart from cutlery) in 1928, which was a simple four section toast rack. This was followed in 1930 by what is thought to be the world’s first stainless steel teapot.

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What is the significance of ‘Olde Hall’ compared to ‘Old Hall’?

The Company’s original trade mark, registered in 1922, was ‘Olde Hall’. The ‘e’ was dropped in 1959 to present a more modern image. From 1933-35, the trademark ‘Ye Olde Hall’ was used, but was found to be too similar to an existing trade mark used by Sheffield cutlery manufacturer Walker & Hall Limited so was withdrawn. Items with the backstamp ‘Ye Olde Hall’ are very collectible! Click here to see how you can find more information on the different backstamps used.

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What is ‘Staybrite’?

‘Staybrite’ was the trade name given to stainless steel by steelmakers Thomas Firth of Sheffield in 1913 when it was discovered by chance by Harry Brearley. All products made from this material, including Old Hall, were marked with ‘Staybrite’ until 1939 but this did not continue after the war. All items marked ‘Staybrite’ or ‘Firth Staybrite’ are pre-war. Click here to see how you can find more information on the different backstamps used.

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Who was Robert Welch?

Robert Welch was appointed Consultant Designer to the company in 1955 on completion of his studies at the Royal College of Art. Prior to this, virtually all designs had been done by the Wiggin family, mainly by Leslie and Wilfred Wiggin. The marriage between J&J Wiggin and Robert Welch brought world acclaim with most items designed by Robert Welch carrying his name on the logo. Robert died in March 2000, aged 70.

Nigel Wiggin (left) and Robert Welch in Robert’s Chipping Campden studio in 1998.

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Design Centre Awards

Robert Welch designs won three Design Centre Awards for Old Hall. The first in 1958 was for the Campden toast rack. The second in 1962 was for a range of twenty two dishes, with the third in 1965 being for the Alveston range of cutlery. The cutlery was noted for having hollow handles in the knives, which improved the balance. Cutlery that is virtually identical to the Alveston range is on sale at the Robert Welch studio shop in Chipping Campden under the name RW1.

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Bright or Satin Finish

Initially, everything was in bright finish but Robert Welch introduced the more modern satin finish on all his designs from 1955 onwards. Both finishes continued and some items were available in both bright and satin. One tea set, the Stirling, was two tone with a satin finish to most of the body but a bright rim to the lid and a bright handle. A hammered finish was used pre-war and into the 50s on one tea set (the Warwick) and on several trays and teapot stands.

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Tea Set Names

All tea sets were given names and somewhat confusingly, some names were used twice (albeit with a gap of some 25 years or so). The four names used twice were Avon, Sandon, Savoy and Warwick.

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Most Collectable Item

The Alveston tea set (unofficially known as Aladdin’s lamp), designed by Robert Welch in 1962, is the most sought after and is consequently very scarce.

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Most Popular Item

The Connaught tea set, designed by Leslie Wiggin in 1959 and available in a range of sizes and in both bright and satin finishes, was Old Hall’s best seller.

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