Stokes & Sons (Melbourne, Australia) silverplate

Stokes & Son, Medal Makers, is a Melbourne-based company that specializes in the design and production of high-quality medals, trophies, and awards. The company has a rich history that dates back to the 19th century and is closely tied to the life of its founder, Thomas Stokes.

Thomas Stokes was born in Birmingham, England, in 1831. As a young man, he was apprenticed to a diesinker and gained valuable experience in the art of metalworking. In the 1850s, Stokes decided to migrate to Australia in search of gold and other opportunities.

After arriving in Melbourne, Stokes found that more... his skills as a diesinker were in high demand. He quickly established himself as a skilled craftsman and began to build a reputation for the quality of his work. In 1863, he founded his own business, Thomas Stokes, Medalist, which would eventually become Stokes & Son, Medal Makers.

Over the years, Stokes & Son became known for its high-quality medals, trophies, and awards. The company's products were used by a wide range of organizations and institutions, including sports clubs, schools, and military organizations. The company also produced medals and awards for important events, such as the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. As well, in the early and mid 20th century the company produced silver and silverplated household wares, such as trays, jugs, tea sets, baskets, napkin rings and flasks.

Stokes & Son, continues to be a leader in its field. The company is still based in Melbourne and is run by members of the Stokes family. The company's commitment to quality and innovation remains strong, and it continues to produce some of the finest medals, trophies, and awards in Australia. less...

Thomas Stokes a diesinker and electroplater was born in Birmingham in 1831, and arrived in Victoria in the 1850s, to join the search for gold. Soon after, presumably being unsuccessful in his quest or gold he established a business in Melbourne as a “Die Sinker and Medallist, Stamper and Token Maker”, and soon after added electroplating to the services he was able to supply.

By the 1880s he was employing 30 tradesmen and apprentices. The company's specialty was badges and at about this time they were producing coat and collar badges for schools, colleges, lodges and associations, the Victorian more... Railways, Salvation Army and the Australian Army. The business became a proprietary concern in 1911, re-named Stokes & Son Pty Ltd., and in 1962 Stokes became a public company, renamed Stokes (Australasia) Ltd

In the 1950s the company diversified into manufacturing components for the automotive and domestic appliance industries, and became one of Australia's leading suppliers to these industries.

Today, Stokes is a publicly listed company, with offices and representatives throughout Australia, Asia and the Pacific. As well as being the Australia's leading independent distributor of appliance spare parts, the industry leader in the supply of badges, medallions and associated products it is also the country's major manufacturer of electrical elements. less...