Maple & Co. was a British furniture and upholstery manufacturer established in 1841 which found particular success during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. The company became one of the prime makers and suppliers of furniture to the aristocracy and royalty in both the United Kingdom and around the world. Maple & Co. was also known for its high quality craftsmanship and its use of traditional materials and techniques.
The company was founded by John Maple (28 February 1815 – 4 March 1900) in the early 19th century. After completing his apprenticeship with shopkeeper James Constable in Surrey, Maple partnered with his former co-worker James Cook and in the spring of 1841 they opened Cook & Maple at 145 Tottenham Court Road. In 1851, the partnership between John Maple and James Cook dissolved, leaving Maple as sole proprietor of the company. After the separation Cook managed his own store at number
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22 & 23 Queens Buildings, London.
Maple & Co. quickly became one of the leading furniture retailers in London. The company's showrooms were located in Tottenham Court Road, and they also had a workshop in Islington. Maple & Co. was known for its high quality furniture, and they were particularly skilled in copying antique designs. The company also produced a wide range of original designs, and they were known for their innovative use of materials and techniques.
The furniture of Maple & Co.was popular with the aristocracy and royalty, and the company supplied furniture to many famous people, including Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, and the Prince of Wales. The company also exported furniture to many countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and India.
Maple & Co. continued to be successful throughout the 20th century, and the company opened new stores in Paris, Buenos Aires, and Montevideo. However, the company began to decline in the 1970s, and it was eventually acquired by Waring & Gillow in 1980. Waring & Gillow continued to operate the Maple & Co. brand until 1997, when the company went into receivership.
Although Maple & Co. is no longer in business, but the company's furniture is still highly sought after by collectors and interior designers, and is known for its high quality craftsmanship, its use of traditional materials and techniques, and its elegant designs.
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