C & J Adams / Walsall

[brandm24]

I came across this counterstamp on an unusual coin...an 1813 Isle of Man Halfpenny. I plan on bidding on this coin but in the meantime I'm posting the seller's pictures.

Not much known about C & J Adams, except that they were listed as saddler's ironmongers and general dealers in the 1818 Walsall, Staffordshire directory. Moving up to the 1842 listing shows Charles Adams & Son doing business as bridle cutters and harness makers. Most likely this is the same company as listed in the 1818 directory...C is Charles and his son is J(ames?).

I found no ID for the Wilson stamps. Although the two are a different size, the style is identical so probably struck by the same merchant. Any additional information on the two merchants would be appreciated.

Bruce

[mrbadexample]

Looking at the obverse, it appears to me that all three countermarks were made at the same time. 

[brandm24]

I agree, MBE. Maybe Wilson worked for or with Adams, or coild have been a competitor. These multi-name stamps are interesting to research, but there's not much to go on here.

Bruce

[mrbadexample]

Despite living in Walsall, I am no closer to the answer than you. 

[brandm24]

Can you get access to any local records at a library or such? City directories or even old newspaper archives are hrlpful when researching. Or you could just walk around and ask anyone if they know Wilson.

Cheers,

Bruce

[Figleaf]

I suspect all libraries and archives are now closed, Bruce. However, the UK has a good record on vaccination.

Peter

[mrbadexample]

Can you get access to any local records at a library or such? City directories or even old newspaper archives are hrlpful when researching. Or you could just walk around and ask anyone if they know Wilson.

Cheers,

Bruce

I've never tried and wouldn't know where to start! Having said that, I would be happy to see what I can find once things open up again.

[brandm24]

Here we have a lot of archives online but, unfortunately, the Ancestry juggernaut has been acquiring a lot of them for their site and charge big bucks to "share" them with you.

Still local, county, and state archives are readily available in many cases and can provide a lot of information. I've always found that city directories, and newspaper archives are most informative. I came to a dead end on Wilson but youre likely to have better luck because of where you live. Good luck, MBE, and keep in touch.

Bruce