Middleton, Nicholas

162 Strand, London, pocket book and pencil maker, cabinet maker and dealer in cutlery and hardware (1801–10)

Took out Sun Insurance policies on 5 October 1804 for £1,000, of which £820 accounted for utensils and stock; and on 29 December 1806 for £2,500. [GL, Sun MS vol. 431, ref. 767264; vol. 437, ref. 798272] In July 1801, N. Middleton supplied the Royal Household with ‘a Case for Box seat to the Nabob’, costing £1 16s; and on 27 December 1810, a writing box costing £5 4s 10d, recorded in the accounts on 22 January 1812. [Windsor Royal Archives, 88916, 89031] Regency brass-bound mahogany portable desk recorded, hinged to reveal two baize-lined sloping flaps enclosing fitted and open wells, a glass sander and secret drawers; bearing trade label which reads: ‘N. Middleton, 162 Strand, Manufacturary of … writing and dressing desks…’. [Sotheby's, 14 November 1969, lot 78; 13 February 1970, lot 130] A good quality brass-bound writing box is recorded, bearing label with Royal Arms, which reads: ‘N. MIDDLETON, 162 STRAND, OPPOSITE NEWCASTLE STREET, THE CORNER OF STRAND LANE, POCKET BOOK & PENCIL MAKER TO THE KING & PRINCE OF WALES, MANUFACTURER OF COPYING MACHINES, WRITING & DRESSING DESKS & ALL KINDS OF PORTABLE CASES FOR TRAVELLING, STATIONARY OF ALL KINDS, COPPER PLATE ENGRAVING & PRINTING, IMPROVED CRAYON PENCILS FOR DRAWING IN COLOURS. WARRENTED RAZORS & ALL KINDS OF FINE CUTLERY.’ [Bonham's, 10 June 1982, lot 14] Label also recorded on a small satinwood desk. A leather covered box with silvered mounts, the lock engraved ‘N Middleton FECIT, 162 Strand, London’ is illus. Gilbert (1996), figs 634-635.

Source:  DEFM; Gilbert, Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture 1700-1840 (1996).