George Unite
George Unite was born in 1798, at the tender age of twelve, George was apprenticed to Joseph Willmore where he honed and perfected the craft of silversmithing. In 1825, Unite registered his own sponsor's mark at the Birmingham assay office whilst working in partnership with James Hilliard. Working from the heart of Birmingham, George Unite created a staggering inventory of fine silverwares, including card cases, cutlery, nutmeg graters, chatelaines, vestas, wine labels, as well as extremely charming novelty silver pieces (placefinders, dog collars, miniature chess sets to name a few).
In 1845, the partnership between Hilliard and Unite came to an end. George continued the business until the mid 1960s, at which time the company changed to George Unite & Sons. Upon George's death in 1896, the operations of the firm were continued by the electroplate manufacturer William Henry Lyde, renamed once more to G Unite & Sons & Lyde Ltd in 1928.
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Maker's Marks
GU, or G.U within a rectangular surround with chamfered corners, alternatively within a shield shaped surround. Bearing registrations with the Birmingham, Chester, Sheffield and London assay offices.
