G.M. BETSER & CO. LTD.

Started in 1902 and named after the founder, George Mears Betser, the company was originally located in Great Windmill Street in the heart of Soho near the famous Windmill theatre

In 1935 the business was purchased by Mr. P.W. Kemp, a successful businessman and brother in law to Mr. Allan Brittain, co-author of the hand engraving manual “Engraving on precious metals”.

In 1946 Asprey invited the company to establish a workshop in their Bond Street premises to enable them to offer an exclusive service to their famous and sometimes royal patrons. It was shortly after this that their fame and expertise grew. Eventually having a staff of 25, they offered an exclusive service for hand engraving, some machine work, and seal engraving on gold and stone signet rings, as well as piercing monograms in gold for mounting on to leather handbags, wallets, etc.

The business moved some 10 years ago to 8 New Bond Street, above Bentley and Skinner, who achieved recent fame for making the fifty million pound diamond set platinum skull for Damien Hurst.

The Managing Director was Mr. John Brittain, who was invited to join the company in 1970, following a successful career in industrial banking.

Sadly, G.M. Betser is no longer in operation, but John Brittain remains a member and supporter of the Hand Engravers Association