I have tried to find out more about Newth, who invented this British furniture polish – never disappoints, leaves no stickiness, unrivalled French polish reviver, this polish which can be used on any kind of Cabinet Furniture with the LEAST labour, also on Papier Maché, Painted or Japanned Goods which will be considerably improved by its use…
But I can’t, although there are many people named Newth. This product was made in the 1880’s, and was widely shipped aboard; I’ve found an advert for it in the Wanganui Chronicle of 1888, for example, but I cannot find a Mr Newth.
I did however find the company of W.B.Fordham, who seems to have distributed this polish… you can just make out the name on the bottom of the label in the picture. Fordham and Sons had the St Pancras Emery and Glass Works in several locations in London. As well as manufacturing emery cloths, glass papers, glue, and furniture polish (Newth’s?) they also ran a distribution service for other manufacturers
The business was started by Isaac Fordham in Hatton Garden, London and his grandsonwas the W.B.Fordham whose name appears on the label. At one point the firm was described as ” Ironmongers’ and Oilmen’s Sundriesmen…. despatching the multitude of cases which are addressed, not only to well-known firms in all parts of England, but also to the leading traders in all parts of the civilized globe.”
Lois Elsden 