Graves, J G, Ltd
Other Business Names:
- Graves, John G
- Great Universal Stores Ltd
- Graves, J G, Charitable Trust
Locations city-town / local authority / county1974 / region-state / country:
- Sheffield, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, Yorkshire & the Humber, England
Sectors:
-
Luxury / consumer goods production
Clock, watch & chronometer making
-
Distribution - retailing
Mail order & catalogue retailing
Notes:
Traced origins to John G Graves, 1866-1945, who started out as a watchmaker and by late 1880s was selling watches direct to public via newspaper advertising and on an installment basis. 1885 started watchmaking. Diversified into a much broader range of goods and issued catalogues. Emerged as a leading mail order house and by 1903 employing 3,000. Sold to Great Universal Stores Ltd (GUS). J G Graves accumulated significant personal wealth and much was used in philanthropic gifts to Sheffield - eg Graves Gallery, Graves Park. 1930 established J G Graves Charitable Trust, funded by shares from his business, to further his philanthropic interests [2024]
Publications:
- Graves Inheritance. The story of the J G Graves Charitable Trust, 1930-1990 by Farnsworth, Keith
- Some Memories by Graves, John G
Groups:
Other Business Names:
- Graves, John G
- Great Universal Stores Ltd
- Graves, J G, Charitable Trust
Locations city-town / local authority / county1974 / region-state / country:
- Sheffield, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, Yorkshire & the Humber, England
Sectors:
- Luxury / consumer goods production Clock, watch & chronometer making
- Distribution - retailing Mail order & catalogue retailing
Notes:
Traced origins to John G Graves, 1866-1945, who started out as a watchmaker and by late 1880s was selling watches direct to public via newspaper advertising and on an installment basis. 1885 started watchmaking. Diversified into a much broader range of goods and issued catalogues. Emerged as a leading mail order house and by 1903 employing 3,000. Sold to Great Universal Stores Ltd (GUS). J G Graves accumulated significant personal wealth and much was used in philanthropic gifts to Sheffield - eg Graves Gallery, Graves Park. 1930 established J G Graves Charitable Trust, funded by shares from his business, to further his philanthropic interests [2024]Publications:
- Graves Inheritance. The story of the J G Graves Charitable Trust, 1930-1990 by Farnsworth, Keith
- Some Memories by Graves, John G