“Long Acre1 in the year 1802 was an ideal situation for a firm of colour and varnish makers, the neighbourhood being the cradle of the arts, where wits, artists and cognoscenti congregated and where, too, the lady of fashion found the latest equipage with panels by Stothard, Moser, or Angelica Kauffmann. It was in the neighbourhood of Long Acre that the House of Parsons established itself in the reign of King George III and where it remained for over 110 years. The quality of their varnishes and colours became renowned and many a smart carriage, neighbouring theatre and lordly mansion, bore witness to the excellence of the firm’s products.”
Later they established themselves at 315-317 Oxford Street, in premises previously occupied by a firm of famous coach builders, and there they continued to uphold their fine tradition and maintain their place in the forefront of the paint industry.
The rest of this essay has been removed after six years. You can now read more about this in The Anatomy of Colour, published by Thames & Hudson and available from John Sandoe (Books).
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