Murton of Newcastle

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Murton of Newcastle:
A Legacy in Sport and Billiards

Henry Angus Murton (1848-1927) began his independent trading career in 1874, taking over Geo Angus’s business on Grey Street, Newcastle. Initially specializing in waterproof clothing and goods using India rubber & Gutta Percha, Murton soon expanded his enterprise and by 1885, he had opened additional premises, including a ‘Lawn Tennis & Outdoor Games Depot’ on Market Street, which later evolved into a general sports stockist.

His venture into billiard table manufacture began in the early 1890s, with the supply of full-size tables starting in 1894 and a specialist showroom opening at New Bridge Street in 1897. This premises also incorporated a match-room where many local amateur competitions were staged.

Murton operated the match-room until 1903 when it was taken over by Burroughes & Watts, it became their main match-room in Newcastle.

In 1910 Murton consolidated all his Newcastle operations at 8-10 Grainger Street. The business was then formally incorporated into a limited company the following year and was subsequently known as Henry A Murton Limited.

Influence in the sporting goods world continued even after Henry Murtons death in 1927, under the control of his son, Douglas Ormerod Murton (1893-1981).

The “Meteor” Cushions

Murtons commitment to billiards later extended to the introduction of their trademark ‘Meteor’ cushions. An early reference to these cushions appeared on a plate referencing the company’s address at 74-82 Grainger Street, which they acquired in 1937.

Later versions of the plate for ‘Meteor’ cushions featured a stylized design in red and black.

By the start of the Second World War, the retailing of sports goods, including items like these cushions, had become the company’s principal activity, eventually becoming their sole activity after the war.

In 1950, Murton advertised themselves as the ‘Premier Sports House of the North’.

Murton Billiard Cues

Murton also played a significant role in supplying billiard requisites, including a variety of cues. It’s notable that all of Murtons retailed cues were manufactured by Peradon & Co.

Their notable cue models include, their top-of-the-range cue, the ‘Meteor’ which came in several styles, the Master cue which had an ash, maple or greenheart shaft and the Sportsman, a machine spliced cue.

The were also various round-badged cues, usually with a simple “Murton Newcastle” inscription. An unusual cork-handled version also bore the same badge and featured a hand-spliced ebony butt. These cork-handled cues were also manufactured by Peradon and were made for other suppliers like Stoweby, Burroughes and Watts, and Orme and Son.

Murton also offered several cues with ornate butts, featuring three or four and even six different butts on a single cue which are thought to have been custom “specials”.

The company eventually became the Sports Department of the Newcastle Co-operative Society in 1958, with the Grainger Street premises renamed “Murton House”. While some requisites and cues continued under the ‘Murton House’ brand, external servicing and repair of tables ceased. The Sports Department finally closed in 1971 when the premises was acquired by the C&A clothing retailer.

John A Smith
Cues n Views