Gordon & Blair (1923) Ltd Square Tin

Owned
SKU
BT1917

Gordon & Blair (1923) Ltd tin tray dating from the 1950s. The Craigwell Brewery was based in Edinburgh, Lothian.

Gordon & Blair (1923) Ltd tin tray dating from the 1950s. James Gordon started his business as a wine & spirit merchant and brewer's agent in 1878. He held agencies for Charles Blair's Craigwell Brewery, based in Edinburgh, and George Dalrymple's Home Brewery, based at Parkhead, Glasgow. When Dalrymple died in the 1890s, James Gordon acquired the Home Brewery. The Craigwell Brewery was founded by Charles Blair's father, John, in North Back Canongate, Edinburgh, in 1822. Charles took over the running of his father's brewery in 1873 and traded as Charles Blair & Co. in 1894 the Craigwell Brewery was extended when a large maltings was built. Gordon & Blair Ltd was registered in 1898 to merge the businesses of James Gordon and Charles Blair & Co. After the merger, both breweries continued to brew separately. The Home Brewery concentrated on stout and porter brewing, whilst the Craigwell Brewery continued to produce mainly pale ales. In the early 1900s trading proved difficult and the Company experienced financial difficulties and water supply problems, not to mention the challenges of WWI. In 1914 the Gordon family was in full control of the business. In 1920, the Home Brewery ceased brewing, although the Glasgow site continued to be used as a bottling plant and distribution depot until it was sold to Maclachlan's Ltd in 1939. Due to continuing financial difficulties the buiness was reformed and renamed Gordon & Blair (1923) Ltd. The Company decided to cease brewing in 1953 when it entered a relationship with George Mackay & Co. Ltd St. Leonard's Brewery in Edinburgh, which agreed to supply Gordon & Blair with five thousand barrels of beer a year. Gordon & Blair (1923) Ltd continued to bottle, market and distribute its beers at the Craigwell Brewery site. In 1954 George Mackay & Co. Ltd acquired the entire share capital of Gordon & Blair (1923) Ltd which became a subsidiary of Mackays. After losing a lengthy court case, and an appeal, relating to tax assessments for the years 1956 to 1959, George Mackay & Co. Ltd also experienced financial difficulties and was acquired by Seagar-Evans Ltd in 1962 and subsequently Watney Mann Ltd in 1963. The Craigwell Brewery was sold to MacNabs of Perth and became a cash-and-carry warehouse. The site was redeveloped into luxury flats in the 1980s.

More Information
Brewery Origin Scotland
County Lothian
Reverse Finish Standard
Tray Manufacturer Unknown
Tray Material Tin
Year Of Manufacture 1952
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