Robert Inches

Sir Robert Kirk Inches (d.1918) was a Scottish goldmith and silversmith who co-founded the jewellers Hamilton & Inches and who served as Lord Provost of Edinburgh from 1912 to 1916.

Life

A claret jug by Hamilton and Inches

He was born around 1845 the son of Robert Inches a printer with John Stark & Co at Old Assembly Close on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.[1]

In 1866 he founded the jewellery firm of Hamilton & Inches with his uncle, James Hamilton, at 90 Princes Street in Edinburgh.[2] James retrired in 1883. In 1888 they bought over the watchmaker Robert Bryson & Son at 66 Princes Street and amalgamated to new premises at 88/90 Princes Street. The firm was "by appointment" jewellers to Queen Victoria.[3] At the same time Inches lived at 2 Strathearn Road in the Grange.[4]

In 1903 he co-founded the Edinburgh Association of Goldsmiths, Silversmiths and Watchmakers, and the association was formally constituted on 5 February 1906, having their first meeting at Goldsmiths Hall on South Bridge.[5]

He died suddenly on 2 August 1918.

Artistic Recognition

His full length portrait by George Fiddes Watt is held by City of Edinburgh Council.

Recognition

He was knighted by King George V during his period as Lord Provost.

Family

His sons included Robert Kirk Inches and Edward James Inches (d.1934) both of whom served in the First World War. Robert, the elder brother was killed 1n 1918 so Edward took over the company on his father's death.

Edward's son Campbell Inches took over in 1934 and in 1950 the company came under the control of Ian Hamilton Inches.

In 1952 the company moved to 87 George Street. In 1992 it was bought by Asprey of London but continued to use its historic name for trading.[6]

References

  1. ↑ https://www.nls.uk/media/63386/sbti-n-z.pdf
  2. ↑ Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1867
  3. ↑ http://golf.tollcross.org/Home/inches-trophy-history/hamilton-and-inches-silversmiths
  4. ↑ Edinburgh Post Office directory 1890
  5. ↑ Scotsman (newspaper) 6 February 2006
  6. ↑ http://www.silvercollection.it/ENGLAHAMILTON&INCHES.html
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