Hermann Marx

Marx had a reputation for expertise in structuring deals such as the fundraising by James and Shakespeare in 1934 which was part of a failed plan by others to corner the world market in white pepper.

[7] The firm suffered difficulties during the First World War because of the German origin of some of its partners and its head Paul Nelke was not re-elected to membership of the London Stock Exchange.

[7][10] Cull floated Ultramar on the stock exchange and did business with petroleum magnate and art collector Calouste Gulbenkian.

"[15] He also owned a manuscript copy of Pietro de' Crescenzi's Liber Ruralium Commodorum ("book of rural benefits"), formerly in the ownership of Robert Hoe and Chester Beatty.

[16] On his death, Marx left the 13 volumes of his extra-illustrated edition of Thomas Pennant's Description of London to the British Museum as well as a large number of other items.

[18] In 2022, it was reported that jade and ivory items worth more than £1.9m formerly belonging to Fay Marx (died 2021) had been stolen from her by her gardener and others over a period of years and sold at auction by Bonhams.

[22] He received an obituary in the Evening Standard titled "Mr Marx leaves a million: Few guessed his wealth" which centred on his quiet and retiring nature.

The paper commented that his name was rarely heard in financial circles and his activities known only to a few close friends, yet "he died one of the richest men in England".