Our studio is on Bouverie Mews, a cobbled cup-de-sac off Bouverie Road. Across from us is a cool company that makes animatronics and an awesome antique furniture and restoration shop.
The road… named after John Bouverie … A British antiquarian and art collector.
A bomb hit the road during WWII and the mews itself provided stable horse accommodation for the surrounding streets…
BUT… the coolest fact about the area…. the factory next mews over used rubber to make spheres JUST LIKE GLOBES! The Spencer Brothers Balloon Factory was a pioneer in the field of aeronautics and three generations of the Spencer family were dedicated adventurers.
In 1898 Stanley Spencer reached the remarkable height of 27,500 feet (five miles of vertical altitude). In 1906 Percival Spencer flew his balloon from London to Lake Geneva Switzerland, a distance of 420 miles in 16 hours. In 1908 Henry Spencer made and flew the first airship across London.
During WWII the factory focussed its attention on manufacturing and testing parachutes for the RAF.
Hopefully one day our little company will have as impressive a history.
Above :: Abney Mews N16 0AJ in its early incarnation as the former The Spencer Brothers Balloon Factory, Est. 1835 :: Click on the pictures to see them BIGGER :: Below :: Bellerby & Co making spheres of a different sort. Handmade, handcrafted and hand-painted world globes.
:: Info via Ever-Changing Mews :: More info on what Abney Mews is like today ::
Bellerby & Co Globemakers, London
Modern and traditional bespoke globes, handcrafted and hand painted bespoke to order.
We ship worldwide from our London studio.
Each globe is one of a kind and can be personalised. We will work with you to finalise your choice of colouring, base style, base material and finish, and through the many options of customisation and personalisation.
Sizing from 12cm to 127cm diameter, desktop / tabletop and floor standing globes. Terrestrial and celestial.
