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Henry Birks was born in upper Canada (Québec) of English parentage on November 30, 1840 he passed away April 16, 1928, at the age of 87. Henry Birks worked as a clerk at Savage and Lyman and Montréal, Québec, a jeweler and watchmaker one of the finest in Canada at that time, although Birks became a partner in the firm in 1868 financial difficulties encouraged Birks to leave in 1877. With an investment of $3000 he opened his own small jewelry shop in 1879 on St. James Street in the heart of Montréal, Québec's financial and commercial district. In 1893 Birks went into partnership with his three sons (William, John, and Gerald) the firm becoming Henry Birks and Sons moving to new quarters on Phillips Square in 1894, where a store and company headquarters still exists today. Starting in 1901 Henry Birks and Sons started expanding the company across the country buying out existing jewelers, and watchmakers, with stores opening in Canada's largest city's including Ottawa in 1901 and 1911, Winnipeg in 1903 and 1913, Toronto in 1905, Vancouver in 1906, Halifax in 1919, end Calgary in 1920. Stores were opened abroad in London, England 1925, and Antwerp, Belgium in 1929.

Picture of Henry Birks 1886 from Wikipedia

Where do you keep finding these Larry?

Here is an advertisement from the Winnipeg Free Press dated September 7, 1899.

Tom

Larry
I hope you don't mind additional info added.

This is the day after his death in the Winnipeg Free Press. I cut it into two posts.

2nd half

Hello Tom:

Amy additional information on these private-label jeweler watchmakers is always appreciated. Thank you.

Larry

Omega private label dial JR Cochran Carman, & Miami, Manitoba

Dial

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Omega 18 size movement, 21 jewel, Adjusted, Serial No. 3001439 manufactured circa 1908

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Miami station historical marker placed by The Government of Canada.

Miami, Manitoba Railway Station

Historical information, and trivia on Carman, and Miami, Manitoba


The Miami, Manitoba Railway Station was built in 1889 and was part of the Northern Pacific and Manitoba Railway system it became part of the Canadian Northern Railway in 1901 and is located 60 miles southwest of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The station still stands on its original site, and is a museum, and a private dwelling, it was an active station until the 1970's. The population of Miami is 500 in 2005 the town was the victim of mass street sign theft, a total of 44 were stolen just before Christmas day; total replacement cost was about $7000, it just so happened that same night a house fire was reported and no street signs were available for direction. Miami was also used in a controversial prank contest by a Winnipeg radio station in 1996, they ran a contest for an all expense paid trip to Miami to watch the Super Bowl, but did not mention they were referring to Miami, Manitoba and not the one in Florida, local media reported that some of the participants had considered lawsuits over the prank, because of the negative backlash the DJ who instigated it was dismissed.

Carman, Manitoba lies in the Pembina Valley region of southern Manitoba about 40 miles southwest of Winnipeg it was part of the Canadian National Railway's and is now operated by a short line the Central Manitoba Railway, Hometown of actor Jack Carson who was born there on October 27, 1910 he was a popular movie star of the 1940s, and the 1950s.

Larry
If you do not have this information, J.H. Cochran was John Henry Cochran. He was born Jan 30, 1863 in Ontario & died Dec 6, 1930 in Carman. He was married to Emily Jane Bennett & they had 6 children including Henry Adolph who died in France during WWI.

Tom

Time for a New Year's Canadian private-label posting for you Justin Bieber fans, from his hometown a Double Sunk Bold Arabic 24-hour Montgomery private-label dial marked N.F. Babb, Stratford, Ont. Dial

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Elgin 18 size 21 jewel Grade No.349 Serial No. 14087355 manufactured 1908.

The case is a yellow gold filled A.W.C.Co. "Fortune" model and its original to the watch.

Case back

Here is another Elgin 18 size, 21 jewel, Grade #349 Serial No. 14058174 private-label R Strachan Diamond Hall Fort William, Ont. Similar to the one posted on page 22 of this thread with the exception that this dial has Roman numeral markings instead of 12 hour Arabic, and the other watch was a 21 jewel Veritas.

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