W. J. Bush & Co Ltd. was a manufacturing chemist which was the first ever producer of flavourings and essences in Britain.The company was established in 1851 by William John Bush. He acquired a small factory in Bishopsgate, London and undertook the preparation of herbs, spices, tinctures and essences. In 1885 W. J. Bush & Co. relocated to larger premises at Ash Grove, Hackney. The firm became a limited company in 1897.
In the following years, W. J. Bush & Co Ltd. manufactured chloroform, aspirin, perfumes, flavourings, fruit bases and essential oils. The company developed a worldwide presence and also acted as a distributor or agent for other manufacturers in various countries.
Advertisement 1949 In 1961 W. J. Bush & Co Ltd. was acquired by Albright & Wilson Ltd., a phosphorous manufacturer, but continued to trade under its own name.
In 1966 W. J. Bush & Co Ltd. merged with two other chemical manufacturers by the name of Stafford Allen & Sons Ltd. and A. Boake Roberts & Co Ltd., to form Bush Boake Allen Ltd., which became a subsidiary of Albright & Wison Ltd.
By 1998 Bush Boake Allen Ltd. had operations in 39 countries and was one of the world's leading suppliers of aroma chemicals. In 2000 Bush Boake Allen Ltd. was acquired by International Flavours & Fragrances, creating the world's largest flavour and fragrance company.
By Mark Matlach
W. J. Bush used commercial overprints at least until the Second Word War, but the overprint is not common.
Bush Boake Allen Ltd. is also reported to have used commercial overprints, but I do not have a copy.
Have a jug for storing fluid does this have any value?
ReplyDeleteDear Michael, a lovely article. I am a direct descendent of William J Bush, my Great Grandfather was William Earnest de Bush. It is always a joy to read about the old family business. There is a great source of information re: WJ Bush & Co in the Hackney Archives.
ReplyDeleteDear Michael, a lovely article. I am a direct descendent of William J Bush, my Great Grandfather was William Earnest de Bush. It is always a joy to read about the old family business. There is a great source of information re: WJ Bush & Co in the Hackney Archives.
ReplyDeletePlease contact a friend of mine who get a objet who might interest you of your great grandfather: his name is Jorge
ReplyDeletesoldorado1218@yahoo.fr
Tengo una botella de esencia de limón. Es verdad que se utilizaba para la fabricación de gaseosas?
ReplyDeleteI have a bottle of lemon essence. Is it true that it was used for the manufacture of soda drinks?
ReplyDeleteI have 2 share certificates for W.J.Bush & Co.Inc.(Treasury Stock). Dated 11th October 1954.Are these the same company and of any interest?
ReplyDeleteDo you know if William J Bush was connected to the Bristol Bush family-1st Bishop of Bristol?
ReplyDeleteHi, I am not 100 percent sure. As far as I am aware no but I could be wrong. Richard Bush, son of WJ Bush formed the Spiritualist Church in Wimbledon, London in the early 1900s.
ReplyDelete