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Company name: Mawer & Collingham
Dates in business: 1810-1900

Type of business: wholesale and retail drapers

Type of company: Sole proprietor 1810-1822

Type of company: Partnership 1822-1829

Type of company: Sole proprietor 1829-c1860s

Type of company: Partnership c1860s-1873

Type of company: Sole proprietor 1873-1900

• High Street, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England

Company history

Founded in Lincoln, England, the exact date of the foundation of the department store retailer Mawer & Collingham is unknown. William Mawer traded as a linen draper from his premises at 229 High Street, Lincoln, from c1810. Subsequent to his apprenticeship to William Mawer and marriage to Mawer's daughter Elizabeth, Joseph Collingham signed articles of partnership with William Mawer (elder) and William Mawer (younger) in 1822. Collectively, the partnership traded initially as Mawer, Son & Co, later changing to Mawer & Collingham. The purchase of the freehold of 228 High Street, Lincoln, in 1826 served to expand the existing shop premises. Joseph Collingham became the sole proprietor in 1829, and his son Joseph Mawer Collingham was brought into partnership sometime before 1873. Joseph Mawer Collingham became the sole proprietor in 1873 and remained so until 1900, when the company was incorporated as a private limited company, Mawer & Collingham Ltd.

By the time of its incorporation, the company's trade had diversified to include wholesale and retail drapers, silk mercers, haberdashers, milliners, dressmakers, tailors, hatters, furriers, lacemen, clothiers, hosiers, glovers and general outfitters, carpet warehousemen, upholsterers and house furnishers and decorators.

Access points: Department stores - Retail trade