Druce & Co, Upholsterers and Cabinet Makers, Baker Street, London
Druce & Co, Upholsterers and Cabinet Makers, Baker Street, London
As the owner of a fine London home during the early reign of Queen Victoria, a person of note would certainly have ‘Druce & Co’ on their list of places to shop for furniture needs.
Established in the Marylebone area of London, on the corner of Blandford Street and Baker Street (later to be made so famous as the home of Sherlock Holmes by the legendary British writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle), in the mid-19th century, on the site of the previously named ‘Baker Street Bazaar’.
Thomas Charles Druce collated and displayed fine furniture from skilled makers throughout the globe. His son, Herbert, was an integral part of the business - taking over the running in 1864 when Thomas passed away.
With a keen eye for quality, the Druce & Co company traded successfully throughout the Victorian and Edwardian eras, the Great War, and into WW2 when, on 8th December 1940, their building suffered extensive damage following a German bombing raid, the warehouse stock of bedding, furniture, carpets and antiques was largely destroyed. Druce & Co. continued to trade further down the road until 1956. In 1957 the store was finally demolished and the site was developed as Michael House, serving as the UK headquarters of Marks & Spencer until 2005.