Battam, Craske & Coleby; Battam & Craske (1830-1870)
Battam, Craske & Coleby; Battam & Craske
London; decorators (fl.c.1830-70)
Originally in Cheapside, Battam, Craske & Coleby moved to 54 Oxford Street about 1835. The Civil Engineer & Architect’s Journal, August 1840, mentioned a new shop front for the decorators Battam, Craske & Coleby, at 54 Oxford Street on the corner of Berners Street & Oxford Street. The work on the exterior of the shop, embellished with carving and Atkinson’s cement & paste composition carvings, was executed by Messrs. Geo. Jackson & Son of Rathbone Place. However, Battam, Craske & Coleby obviously retained the premises of 45 Cheapside for at least a few years as in 1843, during a hearing of the Bread Street Ward Scrutiny, Messrs Battam & Craske were recorded as carrying on business at 45 Cheapside. The tenant of the upper parts of the premises, Mr Grant, was in dispute with John Battam about the use of a servant, whom Grant employed. In 1852 the Post Office Directory recorded Battam & Craske, painters, paperhangers & house decorators (with estimates given for general repairs) at 54 Oxford Street. By 1871 the firm had become Battam, Heywood & Hanks and had moved into the upholstery & furniture making business.
Sources: Taylor, ‘Additions to Christopher Dresser’s List of Clients’, The Decorative Arts Society 1850 to the Present (2012).