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G. & F. Cope

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The most famous G. & F. Cope clock on Nottingham Council House

G. & F. Cope Ltd was a clockmaking company based in Nottingham, England from 1845 to 1984.

History

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Two brothers, George and Francis Cope founded the company in 1845. They took over the turret clock business of Reuben Bosworth. (Reuben Bosworth continued to manufacture turret and domestic clocks).

Their initial factory was in Holden Street and they had offices on Gregory Street[1] then Alfreton Road[2] but in 1937 they moved to Portland Road. In 1945 they moved again to Prospect Place in Lenton, where the company remained until it was absorbed by Smith of Derby Group.

The company was responsible for most of the public clocks in Nottingham, and also many further afield. As innovative manufacturers, the firm produced chronometers for the Admiralty as well as fine tower clocks and chimes.

Owners

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  • George and Francis Cope 1845 – 1899
  • William Cope 1899 – 1922
  • William W Cope 1922 –
  • Richard Cope and David Cope

Notable Cope Clocks

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Lewis and Grundy Clock dating from 1950
Clock by Cope built for the General Cemetery, now in Nottingham Industrial Museum

References

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  1. ^ Kelly’s Directory of the Watch & Clock Trades 1880
  2. ^ Kelly's Directory of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, 1881
  3. ^ "The new clock of St Peter's, Nottingham". Nottingham Journal. England. 15 September 1881. Retrieved 23 July 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ^ The Lenton Listener. Issue 17, 1982
  5. ^ "St Mary's New Clock". Nottingham Evening Post. England. 24 April 1936. Retrieved 25 July 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ^ "Bulwell Church Clock. Lighting on June 15th". Nottingham Evening Post. England. 12 May 1949. Retrieved 24 July 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.