Charles Parker and Son – A History
From its origins in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, Charles Parker & Son carved out a notable history in the manufacture and supply of billiard equipment and cues before its end as part of a larger group of companies.
The Founder: Charles Parker’s Early Years (1879-1911)
The story begins with Charles Parker himself, born in Boston, Lincolnshire in 1855. He moved to Barnsley and, in 1879, established his company as a billiard table repairer. Initially, Parker traded second-hand billiard and bagatelle tables from his home on Westbourne Terrace, later moving to premises on Sackville Street in 1887 to continue this work.
A significant expansion occurred in 1909 when Parker ventured into the billiard hall business, opening the Corn Exchange Billiard Saloon at Market Hill, Barnsley. This period also marked his move into the manufacturing of billiard tables, building on his previous experience in supplying reconditioned tables. Notably, Parker had already been supplying an ‘Improved Low Cushion’ since 1905.
Charles Parker had two sons: George William, who pursued a career outside the family business, and Charles Jr., who joined at an early age. The company continued to trade under the name ‘C Parker’ until the founder’s death.
Charles Parker & Son Takes the Helm (1912-1925)
After Charles Parker Sr. passed away in December 1911, his son, Charles Jr., took over the business at just 22 years old. Out of respect for his father, or perhaps to lend a sense of history, he renamed the company ‘Charles Parker & Son’. During this period, table plates were made in ivory, a practice that continued possibly into the early 1920s. Plastic table plates replacing ivory shortly after World War I.
Relocation and Innovation (1925-1932)
In 1925, the company’s works and showrooms moved from the Market Hill Billiard Rooms to Borespring Mills on York Street, Barnsley. Following this relocation the advertising of their ‘Borespring Patent’ as their latest replacement cushion began, with an ‘Improved’ version introduced in 1928.
Charles Parker Jr. married Ena in 1925, and she became an active participant in the business and in 1932, the company was officially registered as a limited company, trading as ‘Charles Parker & Son (Barnsley) Ltd.’. Both Charles Jr. and Ena served as directors, and the company’s trading interests expanded to include billiard hall proprietorships, tobacconist services, and restaurant operations from their new headquarters at the Central Billiard Hall on Doncaster Road, Barnsley.
The onset of World War II saw the end of billiard table manufacturing, the company did not resume manufacture afterward. Instead, they focused on table repairs and the sale of cloth and general requisites. They continued to own billiard halls until 1950. Charles Parker Jr. passed away in 1959 at the age of 70, Ena continued the business for a period.
The Distinctive Charles Parker Cues
Charles Parker cues are not common, however they are not among the rarest. Collectors seeking Parker cues will see distinct round badges and rectangular badges with four screws, one at each corner. The round badge is noted to include the words, “Maker” or “Makers”. Early versions of these badges were crafted from bone or ivory, while later editions utilized plastic. The company either manufactured its cues in-house or relied on subcontractors.
The E A Clare (Thurston) acquisition
The company’s independent operations eventually concluded when Charles Parker & Son was taken over by E A Clare (now known as Thurston) in the late 1950s or early 1960s. Despite the acquisition, the Parker name continued to be used for some years.
John A Smith
Cues n Views
