One artisan metalworker we should be aware of in Ipswich is Albert Clarke 1868-1950) who was operating in the town in the years around 1900. His great-great-grandaughter, Michelle Clarke lives in Victoria, Australia and has been researching his work. 

Albert’s most recognised contribution to the Ipswich street scene is the bespectacled gate to the former Scarborow optician’s (now Pickwick’s tea shop) in Dial Lane. The Charles Rennie Mackintosh-style Art Nouveau shop frontage is one of the gems of Ipswich. The gates in iron and copper, once had lettered ‘lenses’ (long gone) and the fine porch have survived the years well. The design would have been provided by local architect, John Shewell Corder. (It is notable that Albert, the Designer Art Smith, advertises “Architects’ Designs carefully followed”.)

 

 

The wrought iron gates into the graveyard of St Mary-At-The-Quay are Albert’s work and integrate the key motif and ‘SM’; they were refurbished during the renovation and rebuild of the church. The poster advertises a diocesan meeting to propose the disestablishment and disendowment of the Church of Wales.

 

 

He worked at one stage at 102a Fore Street which must have been close to Mellonie & Goulder’s coal yard which backs onto Neptune Quay. Albert was a keen photographer, so it is almost certain he also took the photograph of the Scarborow gate and other work. The gates of The Felix Hotel (opened May 1903) in Felixstowe, which is now Harvest House (converted into retirement apartments in 1985), has Albert posing near the gate. He would have carefully placed his bicycle in the shot, presumably using a shutter delay on his tripod camera. The photographic prints come from a portfolio of Albert’s work which was saved by a relative when the house was being cleared out.

 

Albert emigrated with his wife and three children to Melbourne in November 1911. He set up his business there in Hampton and continued to produce a range of quality metalwork for building projects there, including significant residences in that city; some of his work is now on listed properties. 

R.G.

Below: gate to F. Corder & Son’s department store Millinery Show Room, probably in Butter Market and long gone.

Link to Albert Clarke on Ipswich Historic Lettering website.

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Repoussé lettering in copper on iron: hanging signs from Frasers furniture store on Princes and Museum Streets which burnt down in April 1912.