Asprey
{{Short description|British luxury goods company}}
{{for|the surname|Asprey (surname)}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Asprey International Limited
| logo = Asprey logo.svg
| logo_size = 200px
| caption =
| type = Private
| traded_as =
| industry = Luxury goods
| fate =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1781}}
in Mitcham, Surrey, United Kingdom
| founder = William Asprey
| defunct =
| location_city = London
| location_country = United Kingdom
| locations = 13 points of sale
| area_served = {{Unbulleted list | United Kingdom | United States | Switzerland | Japan}}
| key_people = John Rigas
(Chairman)
| products = {{ubl
|Jewellery
|Leather goods
|Handbags
|Timepieces
|Silver
|China
|Crystal}}
| production =
| services =
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| assets =
| equity =
| owner =
| num_employees =
| parent =
| divisions =
| subsid =
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.asprey.com}}
| footnotes =
| intl =
}}
File:Asprey 2392887450 661524393c.jpg]]
File:Asprey watch display 2005.jpg
Asprey is a United Kingdom-based designer, manufacturer and retailer of jewellery, silverware, home goods, leather goods, timepieces, and books.
With its flagship retail store located in Mayfair, London, Asprey is a luxury retailer for royal and celebrity clients. It has held a Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales{{Cite web |title=Asprey London Limited {{!}} Royal Warrant Holders Association |url=https://www.royalwarrant.org/company/asprey-london-limited |access-date=31 August 2023 |website=royalwarrant.org}}{{Cite web |title=By Royal Appointment |url=https://www.asprey.com/gb/en/by-royal-appointment.html |access-date=31 August 2023 |website=asprey.com |language=en-GB}} and collaborated with Formula 1 on product lines.{{Cite web |last=Formula 1 |date=23 July 2021 |title=Sterling silver 2022 car stars in new Formula 1 Asprey gift collection |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.sterling-silver-2022-car-stars-in-new-formula-1-asprey-gift-collection.2fzuRI0VygSYgRvL4PdlB6.html |access-date=31 August 2023 |website=Formula 1 |language=en}}
History
=Foundation=
Asprey was established in England in Mitcham, Surrey, in 1781. Founded as a silk printing business by William Asprey, a descendant of a Huguenot family who fled France during Louis XIV's reign,{{Cite web |title=Asprey & Garrard - Three Centuries of Jewelry Perfection (part two - Asprey). Blog. Lobortas Classic Jewelry House |url=https://lobortas.com/en/blog/jewelry-and-watches/asprey-garrard-three-centuries-of-jewelry-perfection-part-two-asprey-170711 |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=lobortas.com}} it soon became a luxury emporium. In 1841, William Asprey's elder son Charles went into partnership with a stationer located on London's Bond Street. In 1847, the family broke with this partner and moved into 167 New Bond Street.
From its central London location, Asprey advertised "articles of exclusive design and high quality, whether for personal adornment or personal accompaniment and to endow with richness and beauty the table and homes of people of refinement and discernment". An early speciality was dressing cases. Asprey crafted traditional cases and designs, mostly in leather, suitable for the new style of travel ushered in by railways. The main competitors at the time were H.J. Cave & Sons. Asprey was recognised for its expertise when it won honourable mention for its dressing cases at the International Exhibition of 1862, but it ultimately lost out to its rivals, H.J. Cave & Sons, in both 1862 and 1867.
The company consolidated its position through acquisitions. In 1859, Asprey absorbed Edwards, a maker of dressing cases and holder of a Royal Warrant. Soon after the merger, Asprey would lose this warrant. The company also purchased the Alfred Club at 22 Albemarle Street, which backed on to the New Bond Street store and meant that Asprey now had entrances on two of London's most fashionable streets.{{cite web |url=http://www.asprey.com/slideshow.php/item/11 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130117062113/http://www.asprey.com/slideshow.php/item/11 |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 January 2013 |title=Timeline |author= |year=2012 |work=Asprey London |publisher=Asprey London Limited |access-date=22 December 2012}} Asprey acquired the case makers Leuchars & Son with their shop at 38–39 Piccadilly, which closed in 1902.{{cite book |last1=Culme |first1=J |title=The Directory of Gold & Silversmiths, Jewellers, and Allied Traders, 1838-1914: From the London Assay Office Registers. Volume 1. |date=1987 |publisher=Antique Collectors' Club |location=United Kingdom |page=291|isbn=9780907462460 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SprrAAAAMAAJ}}
=20th century=
As the business grew, the company acquired manufacturing facilities and hired silversmiths, goldsmiths, jewellers and watchmakers including Ernest Betjeman, the father of the distinguished poet John Betjeman, one of the most highly regarded craftsman and designers of his day. In the 1920s, commissions poured in from around the world, from American billionaire J. Pierpont Morgan to potentates such as the Maharaja of Patiala, who commissioned a huge teak travelling trunk for each of his wives, in which each trunk was fitted with solid silver washing and bathing utensils with waterspouts of ornate tiger head and lined with blue velvet. Queen Mary purchased a five-strand natural pearl necklace with a diamond-set Art Deco clasp in 1948, as a gift for Princess Margaret’s 18th birthday. The necklace featured in many iconic portraits by Sir Cecil Beaton.{{Cite web |title=The House of Asprey: A Royal Legacy in British Luxury |url=https://dsfantiquejewelry.com/blogs/journal/the-house-of-asprey-a-royal-legacy-in-british-luxury |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=DSF Antique Jewelry |language=en}} Asprey cigarette cases became collectable amongst young sophisticates who delighted in its other modern products, including travel clocks, safety razors and automatic pencil sharpeners.{{cite web |url=http://www.asprey.com/heritage/19th-and-20th-century/ |title=The British Standard Since 1781 |publisher=Asprey |access-date=1 October 2013 |archive-date=12 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812212029/http://www.asprey.com/heritage/19th-and-20th-century/ |url-status=dead}}
In the 1970s, brothers Algernon and Harry Asprey were asked to resign as managing directors and they sold their shares to Gabriel Harrison's property company. These shares were eventually acquired by Alfred Dunhill Limited (who were 50% owned by Rothmans International) in January 1979, giving them a 7% share in the company. In June 1979, Dunhill acquired another 23% of the company from the Philip Asprey family and in April 1980 bought 6.8% more from the same part of the family, increasing their stake to 36.8%. Dunhill, together with South African businessman Anton Rupert and Mahdi Al Tajir, wished to acquire more of the Asprey family shares but John Asprey, the largest shareholder, held out and eventually, with the assistance of Morgan, Grenfell & Co., was able to outbid Dunhill to acquire shares from family trusts and retain ownership of 50.4% of the company within the family.{{cite news|newspaper=The Times|date=3 April 1980|page=21|title=Could this be the fall of the House of Asprey?|first=Peter|last=Wainwright}}{{cite news|newspaper=The Times|date=15 May 1980|page=19|title=How 'old pals' came to the aid of Asprey's|first=Peter|last=Wainwright}} In 1981, the company was listed on the Unlisted Securities Market.
In July 1990, Sears plc, who at the time held a 25% interest in Asprey, sold Mappin & Webb and Garrard & Co to Asprey, increasing their interest to 38.5% in the expanded group.{{cite book|title=Sears plc Annual Report 1990/91|date=31 January 1991|via=Companies House|page=5|url=https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/document-api-images-live.ch.gov.uk/docs/PeWe5engd0l6mliaR2Hb7yxq9BoGMBxKLcs9CWnhIFU/application-pdf?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=ASIAWRGBDBV3LYCXKS2M%2F20240818%2Feu-west-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20240818T110842Z&X-Amz-Expires=60&X-Amz-Security-Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEB8aCWV1LXdlc3QtMiJHMEUCIQC7JP50%2Fin6Jkf6G5PyXFGXTUta4SDBUHA%2FHL63LrIoeAIgNXYke4MgHpl3xG9RE1fDJJxrHPfX5j6zSohsccBhvSMquQUIKBAFGgw0NDkyMjkwMzI4MjIiDIzRXxJuUiMP2eUsdSqWBTDf7FdbbBjy4DptaGQfZV%2B4nxrHbIDBxct0SmT0Hvn4uog6Z5Midj3e4W%2BiJcJljMBwoyybrukeE5ijGI24716h4jEXhPzbxruFqOtjCbwYDNI74aoRquaiZ4ts7PahcRtkGkv1iEwWCrpDEduoHNXZLEm7XX2N4uNrKreECD44in9HwcKf%2BEKhPL5QXARC7om%2Fd3EqiFMfoxitX2ysaeLN7V7LraUf3aqoYkKP%2FKj3erjpcjSsPdOjwNTSRfrCU57uf%2BFedIK%2FjUp2s3jdRpTRVvXUTUVSFjomRhr5OZIBSBm2kyAt4TBR3kCjPEu42OzWaUTRselHR9n5HFBAz7YnycgjhV1ZPxiOnwyxshbKmI7Iet0LxsHTlG0rj6%2FfAz3RXeWCD5tE5ougoBks2DnVCly2XMJl65q%2B41n7LZpC4klS%2BShE7na3lNySx7w8SOHu%2B7qz6mydAXPozqETgCyqJsucmceIFkpdED1Y9B0dUTN3eIGAYe%2FSQgnNNNCTApDPGIpsAjAQz93X7wsZb9pbY9Q6pS6IERF0HaBbhC55zxlavDzSRlq20hYSvQ21Swa3u%2BRGlzFeAoQrrS0OfrDqh55adnrlX6bDCNXJbHhQVkZfMga1udMn0h52oRExPSHJjgpsrPkKoxD%2FgG70hr2zhQ%2B46gDQXcz9UqlEIawYINgdJCKhhvh%2B%2BPJY01E0UaTTvLidzfAJPrL%2BW1jJtRqcQCmU1gVkemKKx9iPBOU7qL8QF6oEOZ7U7KhyPfGQUIjln%2BjjgUbzDLTyjCZwlw3Cg%2B5I5hP8bNJytff0jxNCXkLuh%2B6XVSryeNc5H3ZZE1LGPVTfmcazxpuqgcbxNNes63eamfhI0XvySlXy91yr%2BvGVgpaAMLyvhrYGOrEBp%2BCiWPtTiDcYZAFH%2BppnlUufjjVx4q%2F5AT7AStf6ZTE5WNvix6ugum0ueOv2huDm7boGskFwghx24yY1aVgIOA1S9hI6OlSPJ0dekKkMp%2B9%2BpcQ%2FiU%2BS6ni%2BZoBGIjItSMD2k6dGmwhLbO2wqMh75bfQABMpbod3bsUDQ3thGi9rGDCGNNFlmwcpkJRkvyPfnG89UU7ZpB2%2F9V5E8p52M5FiJMrSoUk5iLDEG7NFM%2FTU&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=inline%3Bfilename%3D%22companies_house_document.pdf%22&X-Amz-Signature=35786d2fba67c7e23c91b6fda83f14c3a561a30335e52a38d6614ed767e8a048}} Naim Attallah became joint managing director in 1990. In 1992, they continued the acquisition strategy and in April they acquired Edinburgh-based Hamilton & Inches for £1.3 million; Watches of Switzerland from H. Samuel for £23.2 million in June and in November 1992, they took over the UK distribution business of Ebel watches. In 1993, they acquired the business assets and name of Swiss jeweller, Les Ambassadeurs for £11 million. Attalah became group chief executive following some structural changes.{{cite book|title=Asprey Annual Report and Accounts 1993|date=31 March 1993|url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00103844/filing-history/MTE0MjcwNzE3YWRpcXprY3g/document?format=pdf&download=0|via=Companies House}}
In 1995, the group was acquired by Prince Jefri Bolkiah's Amedeo Development Corporation for £244 million, with the Asprey family receiving more than £100 million but retaining a 10% shareholding.{{cite news|newspaper=The Times|date=25 June 1998|page=29|title=Royal jewellers brought together|first=Jason|last=Nisse}}{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/crown-jewellers-sold-off-for-a-princely-pounds-250m-1537165.html|title=Crown jewellers sold off for a princely pounds 250m|newspaper=The Independent|date= 4 November 1995|access-date=18 August 2024}} Following poor performances since his acquisition, in 1998, Asprey sold off Mappin & Webb, Watches of Switzerland and Hamilton & Inches and was renamed Asprey & Garrard and moved from 112 Regent Street to premises on New Bond Street.{{cite book|title=Asprey & Garrard Limited Accounts for the 52 weeks ended 28 March 1998|date=28 March 1998|via=Companies House|url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00103844/filing-history/NDY1OTkwMzNhZGlxemtjeA/document?format=pdf&download=0}}
=Key dates=
- 1781: Asprey begins trading as William Asprey in Mitcham, Surrey
- 1847: Asprey flagship store opens on New Bond Street, London
- 1851: Asprey receives an 'Honourable Mention' at the Great Exhibition for their lady's dressing case with 'Annie' cipher.{{cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m0EhOAmDWLYC&pg=PA791 |title=Official Descriptive And Illustrated Catalogue Of The Great Exhibition Of The Works Of Industry Of All Nations 1851 |first=Robert |last=Ellis |year=1851}}
- 1862: Royal Warrant granted by Queen Victoria
- 1889: Edward VII grants the second Royal Warrant to Asprey
- 1925: Queen Mary commissions a necklace, later given to Princess Margaret on the occasion of her 18th birthday{{cite web |url=http://www.internetstones.com/princess-margarets-five-row-art-deco-pearl-and-diamond-necklace.html |title=Princess Margarets 5-Row Art Deco Pearl and Diamond Necklace |publisher=Internetstones.com |access-date=1 October 2013}}
- 1930: Maharaja of Patiala commissions five trunks, one for each of his wives{{cite web |url=http://www.asprey.com/heritage/commissions-and-coronation/ |title=The British Standard Since 1781 |publisher=Asprey |access-date=1 October 2013}}
- 1973: Bespoke chess set is commissioned for Ringo Starr's birthday{{cite magazine |url=http://www.luxos.com/magazine/luxury-is-an-everyday-affair-at-asprey-in-167-new-bond-street-london |title=Luxury is an everyday affair at Asprey in 167 New Bond Street, London |magazine=Luxos |publisher=Luxos.com |access-date=1 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004215359/http://www.luxos.com/magazine/luxury-is-an-everyday-affair-at-asprey-in-167-new-bond-street-london |archive-date=4 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}
- 1975: Asprey received the Queen's Award to Industry by Queen Elizabeth II{{cite web |url=http://www.hancocks-london.com/content/asprey |title=Asprey |publisher=Hancocks & Co |access-date=1 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004214739/http://www.hancocks-london.com/content/asprey |archive-date=4 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}
- 1990: Asprey and Garrard merge{{cite web |url=http://www.rapnet.com/lang/zh-tw/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=2609 |title=Asprey & Garrard – Luxury for a New Millennium (繁体) |publisher=RapNet.com |access-date=1 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213200/http://www.rapnet.com/lang/zh-tw/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=2609 |archive-date=4 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}
- 2001: Royal Warrants granted by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince of Wales (later King Charles III).{{cite web |url=https://www.asprey.com/en-us/pages/by-royal-appointment |title=By Royal Appointment |publisher=Asprey London |access-date=31 March 2025}}
- 2002: Asprey and Garrard split{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1341164/Asprey-and-Garrard-go-separate-ways.html |title=Asprey & Garrard go separate ways
|first=Hilary |last=Alexander |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=21 September 2001 |access-date=1 October 2013}}{{cite press release |url=http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=83727 |title=PR Newswire UK: Asprey demerges from Garrard to become the ultimate authentic British luxury lifestyle House |publisher=Prnewswire.co.uk |date=19 April 2002 |access-date=1 October 2013}}
- 2004: Lord Foster of Thames Bank redesigns the flagship store in New Bond Street, London{{cite web |author=redboxmedia.com |url=http://www.fosterandpartners.com/Projects/1151/Default.aspx |title=Asprey Store, Bond Street | Projects | Foster + Partners |publisher=Fosterandpartners.com |access-date=1 October 2013}}
- 2006: Asprey celebrates its 225th anniversary and is granted a coat of arms by the English College of Arms{{cite press release |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Asprey+Celebrates+225+Years+of+British+Luxury+Opening+New+Flagship+on...-a0162798786 |title=Asprey Celebrates 225 Years of British Luxury Opening New Flagship on Madison Avenue. – Free Online Library |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |access-date=1 October 2013}}
- 2006: Sciens Capital Management and Plainfield Asset Management purchase the brand{{cite news |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-143816746.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105040412/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-143816746.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 November 2012 |title=Asprey and Garrard Sold to Private-Equity Firms. (Sciens Capital Management LLC, Plainfield Asset Management LLC) |newspaper=WWD |date=20 March 2006 |last=Conti |first=Samantha |access-date=1 October 2013}}
- 2009: Asprey becomes the official jewellery sponsor of The Orange British Academy Film Awards{{cite magazine |url=http://www.retail-jeweller.com/asprey-named-as-bafta-jewellery-sponsor/3100154.article |title=Asprey named as Bafta jewellery sponsor |magazine=Retail Jeweller |date=27 January 2009 |access-date=1 October 2013}}
- 2012: Katie Hillier creates new autumn/winter collection{{cite web |url=http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2012/05/03/katie-hillier-asprey-bags---designer-bag-collection |title=Katie Hillier Asprey Bags – Designer Bag Collection (Vogue.com UK) |publisher=Vogue.co.uk |date=3 May 2012 |access-date=1 October 2013}}
- 2012: Asprey collaborates with light artist Chris Levine to create The Diamond Queen for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee{{cite web |url=http://www.vogue.co.uk/jewellery/news/2012/05/23/asprey-jubilee-diadem---christopher-levine |title=Asprey Jubilee Diadem – Christopher Levine (Vogue.com UK) |publisher=Vogue.co.uk |date=23 May 2012 |access-date=1 October 2013}}
- 2012: May – New York based Luxury Institute ranks Asprey in the top two luxury brands for 2012{{Cite web |url=https://www.professionaljeweller.com/graff-and-asprey-top-luxury-brand-status-index/ |title=Graff and Asprey top Luxury Brand Status Index|date=28 May 2012 }}
- 2014: Bovet 1822 join Asprey's Timepiece portfolio{{Cite web |url=https://www.bovet.com/boutiques/ |title=Live the Bovet experience |date=3 February 2021}}
- 2015: Asprey becomes an official retailer of Rolex Watches, London{{Cite web |url=https://www.rolex.com/rolex-dealers/dealer-locator/retailers/asprey |title=Asprey - London, Rolex Official Retailer |website=Rolex}}
- 2016: Asprey becomes the official jewellery sponsor of The Olivier Awards{{Cite web |url=https://officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/news/asprey-partners-with-olivier-awards-356499/ |title=Asprey partners with Olivier Awards |website=Olivier Awards}}
- 2017: Opening of Asprey at Takashimaya Osaka and Sunmotoyama Ginza, Japan{{Cite web |url=https://www.countryandtownhouse.co.uk/brands-guide/asprey/ |title=Asprey | Great British Brands by Country & Town House |website=What's On? By C&TH}}
- 2022: Asprey partnered with Bugatti to create exclusive objets d'art, including NFTs and sculptures.{{Cite web |last=Communications |first=Bugatti |date=2022-01-27 |title=Bugatti Announces Partnership with Asprey London – Bugatti Newsroom |url=https://newsroom.bugatti.com/press-releases/bugatti-announces-partnership-with-asprey-london |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=newsroom.bugatti.com |language=en}}
Products
=Jewellery=
Asprey has a tradition of producing jewellery inspired by the blooms found in English gardens and woodland flora. Over the decades, jewelled interpretations of flowers have evolved to include daisy, woodland and sunflower collections.{{Cite web |url=https://www.asprey.com/us/women/jewellery/shop-by-collection/woodland.html |title=Woodland - Shop by Collection - Jewellery - Women |website=Asprey}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.asprey.com/us/women/jewellery/shop-by-collection/sunflower.html |title=Sunflower - Shop by Collection - Jewellery - Women |website=Asprey}}
==Asprey cut==
The master diamond cutter Gabi Tolkowsky created the Asprey cut. The cushion cut gave Tolkowsky options for incorporating the Asprey "A" inscription around the edges of the stone. The result was the 61-facet Asprey cut, maximising light refraction to brilliant effect. Carat weights of Asprey-cut diamonds range from 0.50 to 3. Asprey-cut diamonds are inscribed on one side of the cushion with the GIA certificate number and with four distinctive 'A's on the other. It is also the only diamond that has the letter "A" on the crown; the Asprey cut has a flower in the centre to create softness. The shape of the Asprey cut means that the cutting process can be done only by hand, unlike many other stones that involve machine cutting.{{cite web |url=http://www.diamondsourceva.com/Education/Shape/diamonds-shape-asprey.asp |title=Asprey Cut Diamonds Shape: Diamond Source of Virginia Loose Diamonds Education |publisher=Diamondsourceva.com |access-date=1 October 2013}}
=Leather goods=
The latest handbag collection is the Beverly Hills collection, inspired by the 20th anniversary of the Boutique at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles{{Cite web |url=https://www.asprey.com/us/women/leather/shop-by-collection/beverly-hills.html |title=Beverly Hills - Shop by Collection - Leather - Women |website=Asprey}}
The men's collection includes wallets, cardholders and travel watch cases. Other items include briefcases and backgammon boards.{{cite magazine |last= Keel |first= Toby |date= 30 April 2020 |title= The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: Super-luxury board games for the bored and well-heeled |magazine= Country Life |url= https://www.countrylife.co.uk/out-and-about/sporting-country-pursuits/the-utterly-inessential-shopping-list-10-super-luxury-board-games-for-idle-millionaires-214866 |access-date= 20 February 2025 }} An Asprey bag owned by Margaret Thatcher was sold at auction in 2011.{{cite news |title= Margaret Thatcher Asprey handbag raises 'just' £25,000 |date= 27 June 2011 |work= BBC News |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-13932845 |access-date= 20 February 2025 }}{{cite magazine |last= Moss |first= Victoria |date= 27 November 2020 |title= How Margaret Thatcher turned her handbag into a weapon |magazine= Vogue |url= https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/article/margaret-thatcher-handbag |access-date= 20 February 2025 }}
=Silver=
Asprey offers classic and contemporary silver pieces – such as sterling silver cocktail shakers, in traditional and contemporary, novel designs such as the Rocket cocktail shaker and many barware accompaniments.
Asprey also produce children's items, including tooth boxes, picture frames and rattles.[http://www.asprey.com/assets/pdf/press/SILVER.pdf] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121015508/http://www.asprey.com/assets/pdf/press/SILVER.pdf|date=21 November 2008}}
=Trophies=
Asprey have designed and manufactured sporting trophies, including the Race to Dubai trophy{{cite web |date=20 January 2021 |url=https://www.adsc.ae/en/media-center/press-releases/adgolfchamp2021/ |title=An elite field of 132 tee off in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship |publisher=Abu Dhabi Sports Council |access-date=15 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303053617/https://www.adsc.ae/en/media-center/press-releases/adgolfchamp2021/ |archive-date=3 March 2021 |url-status=live}} and the Dubai World Championship (DWC) trophy. In addition, Asprey is responsible for crafting the ICC cricket trophies, Wimbledon championship runner-up and winner's salvers, the Arab Club Champions Cup trophy, as well as the FA Cup, and Premier League medals.{{cite web |url=http://www.businessweekly.co.uk/2008102332692/barclays/barclays-premier-league-trophy-visits-cambridge.html |title=Barclays Premier League Trophy visits Cambridge |access-date=13 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091010005135/http://www.businessweekly.co.uk/2008102332692/barclays/barclays-premier-league-trophy-visits-cambridge.html |archive-date=10 October 2009}}{{cite web |url=http://www.asprey.com/slideshow.php/item/22 |title=Trophies |publisher=Asprey |access-date=1 October 2013}}{{cite web |url=https://mobile.twitter.com/UAFAAC/status/988864463301435393 |title=Arab Club Champions Cup trophy |publisher=Union of Arab Football Associations |date=24 April 2018 |access-date=4 May 2018}} Asprey has also crafted the Formula 1 Grand Prix trophies for the British and French races, the Soccer Aid for UNICEF Perpetual Shield, the Epsom Derby Stakes trophy, the LIV Golf tournament trophies, and the Gallagher Premiership Rugby trophy.{{Cite web |last=Ramasubramanian |first=Deepa |date=2023-10-21 |title=LIV Golf signs deal with Asprey Trophies as official trophy provider |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/golf/news-liv-golf-signs-deal-asprey-trophies-official-trophy-provider?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |title=LIV GOLF SIGNS MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH ASPREY {{!}} LIV Golf |url=https://www.livgolf.com/news/liv-golf-signs-multi-year-partnership-with-asprey |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=www.livgolf.com |language=en}}
=Books=
The Asprey fine and rare book tradition evolved from the early 1900s when small compendia of reference books were produced. However, it was not until the Second World War, when raw materials were in such short supply, that Asprey began to offer second-hand and antiquarian books. Following the war, this practice was further developed to include a range of books, old and new, that were bound by Asprey, thus augmenting the company's tradition in leather goods. Today, Asprey offers a range of first and limited editions, many in their original bindings and some, if appropriate, in leather bindings customised by Asprey.{{cite web |url=http://www.asprey.com/collection/leather |title=Leather | Handbags | Travel Leather | Leather Goods | Coin Purses | Leather Wallets |publisher=Asprey |access-date=1 October 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.asprey.com/collection/books |title=Books |publisher=Asprey |access-date=1 October 2013}}
=Asprey Polo=
Previously known as Argosy, Asprey Polo has developed products for player and pony. The range includes boots, saddles, bridles, helmets and mallets and is available from Asprey Polo. Asprey has a history in polo, sponsoring teams and creating trophies for polo tournaments. It sponsored a 40-goal team in the Argentine Open in 1996, winning the Championship and reaching the final in 1997.{{cite web |url=http://www.asprey.com/polo-heritage |title=Asprey Polo |publisher=Aspreypolo.com |access-date=1 October 2013}}
Bespoke and master craftsmanship
Asprey has maintained its London workshops, allowing repairs and alterations to be completed while a customer waits. An expanded jewellery, silver and leather workshop based in London are where classic skills are employed by silversmiths, goldsmiths, jewellers, leatherworkers, engravers and watchmakers.{{cite web |url=http://www.asprey.com/bespoke-services |title=Special Commissions |publisher=Asprey |access-date=1 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004215515/http://www.asprey.com/bespoke-services |archive-date=4 October 2013}}
The firm's craftsmen made a silver-gilt sandwich. They toasted three slices of bread in their workshop, fried the eggs, broiled the bacon, assembled the sandwich, made a mould, and cast it. It now sits on the desk of a Texan millionaire.Hiller, B. (1981) Asprey of Bond Street pp. 114–115
="The Diamond Queen"=
To mark Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee, Asprey partnered with light artist Chris Levine to create a new work based upon his 2004 portrait Equanimity, commissioned by The Jersey Heritage Trust in 2004. This new work is entitled The Diamond Queen.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}
Asprey re-created the Queen's diamond diadem, worn at the Coronation in 1953. One thousand white diamonds were set in platinum by Asprey craftsmen and overlaid onto the original three-dimensional image of the Queen to create the luminescent installation.{{cite web |url=http://www.asprey.com/slideshow.php/item/51 |title=The Diamond Queen |publisher=Asprey |date=29 May 2012 |access-date=1 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029195951/http://www.asprey.com/slideshow.php/item/51 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}
Royal patronage
In 1862, Asprey was granted a Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria. The Prince of Wales, later to be crowned Edward VII, granted another Royal Warrant. In 1953, for the coronation of Elizabeth II, Asprey paid homage with the Asprey Coronation Year Gold Collection, which featured a dessert, coffee and liqueur service in 18-carat gold and weighed almost 27 pounds. In April 1953, it went on show in the New Bond Street store and subsequently toured the United States. Asprey today holds a Royal warrant as silversmiths and Goldsmiths under HRH Prince of Wales patronage.
In popular culture
=Film=
Asprey designed the Heart of the Ocean necklace that was featured in the 1997 James Cameron blockbuster Titanic.{{cite press release |url=http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=32351 |title=Crown Jeweller, Asprey & Garrard, London, Creator of the Titanic Necklace, Secures 1999 Oscar Nominees |publisher=Prnewswire.co.uk |date=22 March 1999 |access-date=1 October 2013}}
Asprey has featured in a number of films:
- Help! (1965)
- Titanic (1997)
- Flawless
- Match Point (2005)
- Notes on a Scandal (2006)
- Sherlock Holmes
- Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009){{cite web |url=http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/movies/Confessions+of+a+Shopaholic-6827.html |title=Confessions of a Shopaholic Facts |publisher=Femalefirst.co.uk |date=18 February 2009 |access-date=1 October 2013}}
- The Ghost Writer
- Nanny McPhee: The Big Bang (2010)
- The Tourist{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iXHDFqI7qk |title=YouTube |publisher=YouTube |access-date=1 October 2013}}
- The 2011 film My Week with Marilyn was filmed at Asprey, 167 New Bond Street
In 2009, Asprey became the official jewellery sponsor of The Orange British Academy Film Awards and continues this partnership today.{{cite web |url=http://www.asprey.com/news-events/past-events/2010/video/ |title=The British Standard Since 1781 |publisher=Asprey |access-date=1 October 2013 |archive-date=16 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716191611/http://www.asprey.com/news-events/past-events/2010/video/ |url-status=dead}}
Asprey collaborated with Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt to create the Asprey's Protector Collection of fine jewellery for both children and adults in 2009.{{cite news |last=O'Reilly |first=Kelly |url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/blogs/threadny/Brangelina-x-Asprey-70185082.html |title=Brangelina Designs "The Protector" for Asprey |publisher=NBC New York |date=16 November 2009 |access-date=1 October 2013}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/angelina-jolie-brad-pitt-asprey |title=Angelina and Asprey |date=17 November 2009}}
=Literature=
- In Jeffrey Archer's novel First Among Equals, Raymond Gould gives his mistress an Asprey miniature of a ministerial red box inscribed with the words "For Your Eyes Only."
- In Kevin Kwan's novel Rich People Problems, Edison Cheng learns that the only items bequeathed to him in family matriarch Shang Su Yi's will are a pair of Asprey sapphire-and-platinum cuff links previously given to his grandfather, Sir James Young, by a Malaysian sultan.
Corporate
Asprey continues to trade as a luxury goods house, active in market such as the US and Japan. According to a survey of US high-net-worth consumers polled for the Luxury Institute's 2012 Luxury Brand Status Index, Asprey was ranked among the top two of international fine jewellery brands.{{cite press release |url=http://blog.luxuryinstitute.com/?p=627 |title=News Release: Wealthy U.S. Consumers Rate the Most Prestigious Luxury Jewelry Brands « The Knowledge of Luxury |publisher=Blog.luxuryinstitute.com |date=21 April 2010 |access-date=1 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213312/http://blog.luxuryinstitute.com/?p=627 |archive-date=4 October 2013}}
In March 2006, Sciens Capital Management, the US private equity firm, bought Asprey. "This is a historic luxury brand, and that is part of our reason for acquiring it," said chairman John Rigas, following the purchase from Lawrence Stroll, Silas Chou (of Sportswear Holdings Ltd) and Edgar Bronfman Jr.{{cite news |last=Prabhakar |first=Hitha |date=4 December 2006 |title=Asprey Heads To Madison |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/2006/12/04/asprey_brand_madison-forbes-life-cx_hp_1204asprey.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413164343/http://www.forbes.com:80/2006/12/04/asprey_brand_madison-forbeslife-cx_hp_1204asprey.html |archive-date=13 April 2010 |url-status=dead}}
Subsequently, Rigas re-focused the business to concentrate on flagships and stand alone stores in key international locations. In 2009, Hermés, the French luxury fashion house, made a property investment purchasing the freehold of the New Bond Street shop that Asprey occupied. Asprey held a 31-year lease on the premises and continued to remain in the space until 2021.{{cite news |first=Nick |last=Mathiason |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2009/sep/27/hermes-asprey-bond-street-shop |title=Hermès pays £75m for Asprey's Bond Street store |newspaper=The Observer |date=27 September 2009 |access-date=1 October 2013}}{{Cite web |url=https://howtospendit.ft.com/articles/19223heirlooms-apparent |title=Heirlooms apparent |first=Lucia van der |last=Post |date=5 February 2013 |website=howtospendit.ft.com}}
Asprey moved to 36 Bruton Street at the end of 2021, its new permanent flagship, firstly creating an installation space designed by the Storey Group, an immersive experience of discovery and exploration.{{Cite web |date=22 November 2021 |url=https://cpp-luxury.com/asprey-relocates-flagship-store-in-london-to-bruton-street-in-mayfair/ |title=Asprey relocates flagship store in London to Bruton Street in Mayfair |publisher=CPPLUXURY}}{{Cite web |date=21 January 2022 |url=https://www.countryandtownhouse.com/brands-guide/asprey/ |title=Asprey |publisher= Country & Town House}}
References
- Noon, Chris. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060827195059/http://www.forbes.com/facesinthenews/2006/03/21/burkle-billionaires-asprey-cx_cn_0321autofacescan05.html "Billionaire Burkle Buys U.K. Crown Jeweller"] Forbes, 21 March 2006, retrieved 21 November 2006.
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Asprey }}
- {{Official website}}
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Category:British royal warrant holders
Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1781
Category:Retail companies established in 1847
Category:Jewellery retailers of the United Kingdom
Category:Fashion accessory brands
Category:Companies based in the City of Westminster