English Fine Art Printers (founded in 1833)
Thomas Ross & Son| Founded | June 21, 1833; 191 years ago (1833-06-21)
(as Dixon & Ross) |
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| Founder | - Henry Dixon, John Dixon & William Ross
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| Headquarters | 4 St James's Place (1833–64)
70 Hampstead Road (1864–1966)
Hounslow West (temporarily during WW2)
Manfred Road, Putney (from 1966) |
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| Products | Fine Art Prints |
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| Website | thomasross.co.uk |
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Thomas Ross & Son, also known as Ross's, is an English fine art printers, founded in 1833 in London.
The privately held company is a publisher of fine art prints and a specialist in intaglio printmaking, with a significant archive collection dating back to 1700, including old master prints, totalling circa 10,000 images. The company is particularly known for traditional printmaking by hand, and watercolour by hand. They publish editions of historical engravings, etchings (including aquatints) and mezzotints from copper plates.
The company was founded as Dixon & Ross in 1833 by father John Dixon, and son Henry Dixon, formerly of Dixon & Son (1805–1833)[1], along with William Ross. The Dixons eventually left the company, which passed to William Ross's relative Thomas Ross. By 1876 the company was renamed after Thomas Ross. Thomas Ross' son joined the company, leading it to be renamed in 1886 as Thomas Ross & Son.
Sometimes erroneously referred to as "Thomas Ross & Sons" plural.[2] Thomas Ross (publisher) had only one son, also called Thomas Ross?, who worked at the company from 1886, until his death.
- June 21, 1833 — The earliest recorded date in the company's archives: an expense for shop signage displaying Dixon & Ross at 4 St James's Place, London. A former stable.
- 1837 — records show the account of J. M. W. Turner, charged for proofing his plates worked by the engraver John Goodall.
- 1864 — St James's Place, London is renamed to Hampstead Road, London.
- 1876 — renamed as Thomas Ross.
- 1886 — renamed as Thomas Ross & Son.[2]
- 1905 — ownership transferred to Alfred Pomeroy (a former apprentice at the company), and remained in the Pomeroy family.
- — Beryl Pomeroy (1922–2005), great-granddaughter of the founder?, published new mezzotints by Lawrence Josset and Arthur Hogg, printed in colour by George Hardcastle.[3]
- 1956 — acquisition of the older firm of plate printers, McQueen & Co. (c1790–1956) by merger. Master printmaker Philip McQueen joined, bringing the stock of his family firm.
- 1985 — ownership transferred to the Nutburn family of Reading, Berkshire and incorporated as Thomas Ross Ltd, registered in Southampton.
Managing Directors of Thomas Ross & Son
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Managing Director
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Thomas Ross (–)
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| 19xx–63
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Alfred Pomeroy (–)
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| 1963–89
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Beryl Pomeroy (1922–2005)
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[3]
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- Dixon & Son (1805–33), 29 Tottenham Street, Fitzroy Square (John, from 1805) (also 5 Tottenham Mews, which seems to have been part of the same premises).[1] Founded by John Dixon and later with son Henry Dixon.
- Henry Dixon (1820–1893)[4] would found Henry Dixon & Son (1887–c1940), 112 Albany Street, London. A successful fine art photographers, with his son Thomas James Dixon (1857–1943).[5] Henry Dixon had apprenticed to his elder brother, Thomas Dixon (d 1875) as copperplate printer; also apprenticed to Thomas Ross 1836 - 1843.[4]
- (1966) Iain Bain, Thomas Ross & son, copper-and steel-plate printers since 1833
- (1984) Anthony Dyson, Pictures to Print: Nineteenth-century Engraving Trade