Harrison and Sons
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Engraving, Printing |
| Founded | 1750 |
| Founder | Thomas Harrison |
| Defunct | 1997 |
| Fate | Sold to De La Rue |
| Headquarters | High Wycombe (previously London, Hayes) , United Kingdom |
Area served | International |
| Products | Postage stamps, banknotes, passports, gift vouchers, official publications |
| Owner | Lonrho (1979–1997), then De La Rue (from 1997) |
Harrison and Sons was a prominent international firm specializing in the engraving and printing of postage stamps and banknotes.
History
The company was established in 1750 by Thomas Harrison on Warwick Lane, London. In 1839, it became known as Harrison and Co. following a partnership between Thomas Richard Harrison and John William Parker. The business remained under family ownership until its sale to Lonrho in 1979.
Harrison and Sons' inaugural stamp production occurred in 1866 with a 1d Inland Revenue stamp for Montserrat, which was the sole stamp they produced during the 19th century. Their initial contract with the Post Office was secured in 1881. In 1910, the company inaugurated a new manufacturing facility in Hayes. After the Post Office discontinued its agreement with De La Rue, Harrison was awarded the contract to produce United Kingdom Edward VII stamps in 1911.
From the 1930s through to the 1990s, Harrison utilized printing equipment supplied by Timsons of Kettering to manufacture the majority of British stamps. This included the UK's first photogravure stamp issued in 1934 and photogravure commemoratives celebrating King George V's Silver Jubilee in 1935. The UK’s initial Christmas stamp series was produced at Harrison in 1966 using the Jumelle press. Their final British commemorative release, titled "Queen’s Beasts", was printed in 1997 for distribution in 1998. During the 1920s, Harrison also printed banknotes for Australia's Commonwealth Bank. The company relocated its factory to High Wycombe in 1933.
In addition to domestic printing, Harrison provided stamps, banknotes, passports, and gift vouchers for over one hundred nations starting from 1881. Among their notable printed works were The London Gazette and Burke's Peerage.
In 1979, ownership transferred to Lonrho. Subsequently, in February 1997, Harrison and Sons was sold to De La Rue, which undertook refurbishment of the High Wycombe facility before closing it in 2003.
Company names
- Harrison and Co (1839–1849)
- Harrison and Son (1849–1854)
- Harrison and Sons (1854–1920)
- Harrison & Sons Limited (1920–1997)