The Silver Thread Through Canadian History : "The Henry Birks Collection" of Canadian Silver

In 1879, Henry Birks opened a jewellery store on St. James Street, the heart of Montreal's financial and commercial district. In 1893 he relocated to Phillips Square and reorganized the company to include his three sons, William Massey, John Henry Mecalfe, and Gerald Walker. In 1936 Henry Gifford Birks (1892-1985), the eldest son of William Massey Birks, began to collect examples of marks used on sterling silver articles produced before 1899. In the course of his research, Birks became concerned that the supply of early Canadian sterling silverware produced by master craftsmen was disappearing and he began collecting outstanding examples, including numerous pieces by artisans of New France. In time, what became known as the Henry Birks Collection of Canadian Silver evolved into the most comprehensive collection of antique Canadian silver in existence. In 1979 the Henry Birks Collection of Canadian Silver, comprising approximately 12,000 objects, was donated to the National Gallery of Canada in celebration of the 100th year anniversary of the founding of Henry Birks and Sons Ltd.

Montreal

Henry Birks & Sons

1970

20-20p.

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