Smythson of Bond Street sold once again
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010The legendary Smythson of Bond Street has been sold once again to Greenwill SA, the holding company for the Tivoli group, an Italian leather goods manufacturer. Now, better known for its luxury leather goods than its stationery, Smythson has undergone several ownership changes in recent years, the latest being the 2005 acquisition by Mike Sherwood, a Goldman Sachs banker.
Smythson was granted a Royal Warrant to Her Majesty the Queen in 1964 and other Royal warrants have followed. Presumably, this Royal blessing allows you to price your products at levels which gives nose bleed to even the most intrepid shopper.
I do recall visiting Smythson’s Bond Street store many years ago and marvelled at their beautiful papers, exquisite designs and bold colors. In the back of the store, there was a small room which had samples of “Royal” stationery, old engraving dies and a few photographs which traced the history of this esteemed stationer. Like many others, I have hopeful that the new Italian owners will keep the paper presses and designers producing Smythson’s elegant stationery. We would all be royally blessed.
Richard W. May
Therese Saint Clair