Collecting 101

Howard & Sons was established in 1820 by John Howard, and the family business became an iconic name in Victorian England. Their beautiful pieces are still recognised as leading examples of upholstered furniture, and have inspired many bespoke copies.

Howard & Sons was created for the top end of the market, satisfying demand that was not being met by other upholstered furniture at the time. The company's enduring popularity, resilient throughout the furniture depression of the early 20th Century, testifies to the excellence of their furniture. Discover pieces from Howard & Sons going under the hammer this month in Lorfords: The Online Sale.

History

Today, we exalt them for their armchairs and sofas, but Howard & Sons was originally established by John Howard in 1820 as London cabinet makers, where they successfully traded in Lemon Street. It wasn’t until 1845 that they opened an upholstery workshop and showroom, a significant milestone in the history of a company whose name is now synonymous with the best of upholstered furniture, which is as enduringly popular today as it was in the 19th century.

The company quickly began gathering accolades which raised their profile and secured them private clients, and 20 years after their first workshop was opened John Howard’s son, George, patented the ‘Elastic Seat’, re-designing the inside workings of traditional upholstery and by doing so creating arguably the most comfortable seating in the world! Howard would go on to become world famous for their superior upholstered furniture winning many medals and prizes at exhibitions and fairs including the 1878 International Exhibition and the 1900 Paris Exhibition.

Although always based in London, the company moved several times and finally settled at 31 Old Burlington Street, where they produced mainly upholstered furniture until 1947. Today, Howard Chairs Ltd is based on Lyme Street, where they continue to produce furniture following the brand's original patents and timeless designs.

Iconic Design

Howard pieces perform consistently well on the market, and their value has increased year on year as collectors seek out their rare comfort and luxury. The Howard & Sons name has resonated throughout the interior design industry since its conception, with designers choosing their pieces to elevate a diverse range of interiors.

Though the popularity of the Howard ‘easy armchair’ made them susceptible to being copied, Howard & Son labelled and stamped their furniture, with either their name and/or number stamp on the inside of the back foot, a paper label on the hessian or a name stamp on the brass castors, therefore making their original pieces easier to identify. It's always worth checking to see if the original ticking or remnants lie beneath the upholstery which was frequently loose coverings: these will be easily identifiable as they are printed with the Howard initials.