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Latham, James (1850-1940)

Latham, James

East End, London; timber merchants (fl. 1850-1940)

The extensive timber yard at the corner of Curtain Road and Rivington Street was taken over by James Latham about 1850 and his timber business became an important supplier to the furniture making trade in London and nationally. A saw-mill and separate departments for veneers and moulding were added prior to a fire in 1892 which destroyed much of the site. The rebuilt premises were then used for hardwood and veneer storage until the firm moved away to Lea Bridge Wharf, Clapton, sometime between 1920-40.

Sources: Massil, Immigrant Furniture Workers in London 1881-1939 (1997); Smith & Rogers, Behind the Veneer. The South Shoreditch Furniture Trade and its Buildings (2006).