W. Avery & Son

W. Avery & Son was a needle manufacturer during the Victorian Era from Headless Cross, a small village on the southwest side of Redditch, England.

[1] Since they produced the majority of these items, collectors refer to all brass needle cases manufactured during this time period as "Averys".

One of the earliest references to the company was found in Pigot & Cos 1828-1829[4] directory where it was listed as William Avery & Son, fish hook and needle manufacturer from Redditch.

[27] Within eight years the firm had created at least twenty-seven needle case designs, mostly figural, which were displayed at the London (1873),[28] Vienna (1873)[29] and Paris exhibitions.

In 1875, the company was highly praised not only for their quality and workmanship, but also for the artistic appeal of their needle cases which were mentioned in exhibition reports sent to the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.

During the Royal Jubilee Exhibition in Manchester in 1887[33] their booth was noted for another invention, a machine that could stick pins in rows of paper.

In addition to creating needle cases, Mr. Avery wrote a book entitled "Old Redditch Being an Early History of the Town from 1800-1850".

It sold at the service for three pence, for the benefit of the Unsectarian Benevolent Society of the Poor of Headless Cross which was founded by Mr. and Mrs. Avery in 1856.

Later in life William was appointed as a Justice of the Peace for Worcestershire and sat for a short time on the bench at Redditch, however had to give it up due to his increased deafness.

He was a prominent citizen in all aspects of life in the area in which he lived, being known and beloved by friends and neighbours alike for his sincerity, integrity, humour and wit.