Royle & Rawson were watch and clock makers from Bolton. They are known to have made the pocket watch listed below, and A long case clock, described in 1920 as a Grandfather Clock perfect going order which is a splendid timekeeper, with handsome Mahogany inlaid case. It was for sale second hand for £25.00.
Bolton News 7th February 1921
A Royle & Rawson of Bolton pocket watch.
Royle and Rawson, Bolton. A fine silver cased fusee pocket watch with unstamped white metal fob chain.
Royle & Rawson were more famously known in their home town of Wigan, it is possible that there was only a shop in Bolton.
Royle & Rawson of Wigan
The business place of Messrs. Royle and Rawson was a well-known Wigan landmark of the period and was known as “The Illuminated Clock” In 1856, the Illuminated Clock, Patent Watch and Clock Manufacturer, 76 Wallgate, Wigan (between the two railways). Royle and Rawson (late G. Esplin) proprietors.” They supplied churches, railway stations and other public buildings with clocks by contract and that the firm were manufacturers of “the improved railway guards’ timepieces” in use on several principal lines of railway in the kingdom.
It is stated that the best gold and silver watches, eight day spring bracket and other clocks were manufactured on the premises. The firm had a high reputation for its work.
It would seem with the scale of the business, most likely therefore, thats any Bolton clocks were simply marketed in the town, and more likely made in the Wigan manufactory. The Manufactory employed some 30 men and closed in the 1890’s.
Research on the Bolton links continues