Red Guides WARD LOCK & Co

Posted by Na Lin on Friday, June 7, 2024

Ward Lock & Co. - key events summarychart

(source: “Adventure In Publishing, TheHouse Of Ward Lock, 1854-1954” By Edward Liveing)

dateevents1819Ebenezer Ward born.1832George Lock born in Dorset.1854George Lock moved to London and met EbenezerWard.  Ward lived in Camden Town, and Locklived in Notting Hill.1854 (23 Jun)Firm of Ward and Lock established at 158Fleet Street (launched with £1,000 advancedby George Lock’s father).1858George Lock married Susan Oakley.1861

Firm moved to Amen Corner, Paternoster Row(in shadow of St Paul’s).

John Henry Lock, George’s younger brother,employed as assistant.

Atlases and series of maps published.

1864

New articles of partnership drawn up betweenWard and Lock – firm now worth £13,279 (£9,792allotted to Lock, £3,487 to Ward).

1865

Charles T Tyler joined firm as a partner,and name changed to Ward, Lock & Tyler.

1873Tyler left, and name reverted to Ward &Lock.1878

Firm moved to Warwick House in SalisburySquare, close to Fleet Street. Own binding worksinstalled on top floor.

1878-80Two new partners – James Bowden and JohnLock (younger brother).

Firm renamed as Ward Lock & Bowden.

1882Branch of firm opened in New York.1883Ebenezer Ward virtually retired.1884Branch of firm opened in Melbourne, Australia.1885Botolph Printing Works purchased.1891

George Lock died, aged 60.  4 of his5 sons carried on traditions of the firm.

Firm carried on by James Bowden and JohnLock, and renamed as Ward Lock, Bowden & Company.

1893

Firm converted into a limited company andre-titled Ward Lock & Bowden Ltd.  Chairmanwas George Lock junior (known as Ernest).

Board comprised John Lock (Company Secretary),Robert Douglas Lock, Wilfred Lock and JamesBowden.

1894

Extension to Warwick House constructed anda new warehouse added,  120,00 book blocksstored and over 2,000 publications.

1895

Binding works moved out to Stole Newington- The Dunsmore Binding Works.

1897

James Bowden retired.  All directorsnow members of the Lock family.

Company retitled Ward Lock & Co Limited.

Late 1890s4th son joins company – LeslieLock.1902Ebenezer Ward died, aged 831904ohn Lock died.  Leslie Lock becameCompany Secretary.1906

George Lock junior died.  Robert DouglasLock becomes Chairman (two younger brothers,Wilfred and Leslie, continue as directors.)

1911 (30 Aug)

Fire partially destroyed Warwick House.  Firm moved temporarily into St Bride’s House.

1912Warwick House rebuilt and reoccupied.1926 (Nov)

Robert Douglas Ward died.  Wilfrid Lockbecomes Chairman of company, with brother Lesliein support.

1940 (29 Dec)Second Warwick House almost completely guttedby Luftwaffe.1941Temporary accommodation occupied.1943

Wilfrid Lock retires through ill health.  Brother Leslie becomes Chairman.

1945

Wilfrid Lock died.

1946

Three members of younger generation (allgrandsons of George Lock) appointed as directors–

Eric ipton – son of George Lock’s daughterAshley

Maurice Lock – son of George Lock’s sonRobert Douglas

Oakley Lock – also son of George Lock’sson Robert Douglas

Company moves to new premises at 6 ChanceryLane, with other offices at Norfolk Street (editorial),New Court (guide books production), SalisburySquare (accounting), and Edmonton (binding works)

1952

Leslie Lock died.  All three directorsare grandsons of George Lock, the firm’s co-founder.

1954

Company moves to 143 Piccadilly.

Family tradition continues – all 3 directorshave one son each in the firm.

Click on the illustrations at left tosee a larger version.

Acknowledgement: Photographs published in 1954 “AdventureIn Publishing, The House Of Ward Lock, 1854-1954” ByEdward Liveing

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