The Assay Office
Birmingham Assay Office was founded by an Act of Parliament in 1773. It had become clear by this time to the silversmiths of Birmingham, especially Matthew Boulton, that their trade would never truly prosper without an Assay Office of their own. Boulton lobbied Parliament vigorously for one and was finally rewarded by the Hallmarking Act 1773, which founded the Birmingham Assay Office.
The Assay Office Birmingham was founded in 1773, at a time when the city and some of its most famous entrepreneurs were playing a leading role in the Industrial Revolution. Silversmithing was booming in Birmingham, with manufacturers making buttons, buckles, spoons and other small articles. In 1762, Matthew Boulton made a major investment in the Handsworth area, which was located then just outside the Birmingham boundary. The new factory employed over 700 people, but Boulton soon discovered that having to send all his items to the Chester Assay Office for Hallmarking, was a serious handicap to his business. Boulton resolved to take action on behalf of all Birmingham silversmiths and fought for the foundation of an Assay Office in Birmingham.
Boulton’s big concern, however, was that Chester silversmiths would copy his designs and innovative manufacturing techniques, which had given him a competitive advantage. To this day Hallmarking of precious metals continues to be rigorously enforced and observed in the UK, allowing jewellers to trade on a level playing field and consumers can buy with due confidence.
