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Frank Partridge & Sons

Frank Partridge & Sons were one of the world's leading antique dealers. They sold antiques to many of the world's most important museums and collectors.

Frank Partridge (1875-1953) established his antique dealing business in London in 1904. He was one of five brothers who all worked in the antique trade. Frank began working in his elder brother Robert Partridge's antique shop in Great Portland Street, London at the age of 17, where he was soon joined by his younger brother Leonard.

Frank opened another branch of Frank Partridge & Sons in New York in 1912. Partridge & Sons sold antiques to many of the world's most influential collectors and to the world's most important museums.

The company was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989 and in 2005 the family sold their share of the business, but in 2009 the company went into liquidation. Frank Partridge, the great-grandson of the founder of the firm, continues to trade in London under his own name.

Frank Partridge & Sons in the Year of the Dealer

Watch films about objects sold by Frank Partridge & Sons to the 5 museums in the Year of the Dealer project.

The Bowes Museum

Antique 18th century writing table sold to The Bowes Museum in 1956 by Frank Partridge & Sons for £2,700.

Lady Lever Art Gallery

Antique late 18th century painted cabinet sold to the collector William Hesketh Lever by Frank Partridge in 1914 for £1,550.

Preston Park

A pair of antique 18th century flintlock pistols sold to the collector Col. Gilbert Spence by the antique dealer Harry Armstrong in 1912 for £10; Armstrong had bought the pistols from Frank Partridge & Sons.

Temple Newsam

Antique Sofa and Daybed, c.1695, sold to Temple Newsam by Frank Partridge & Sons in 1950 for £3,000.

The V&A

The Great Bed of Ware, sold to the V&A by Frank Partridge and Sons in 1931 for £4,060.

The Year of the Dealer

Find out about all 50 antiques featured in the Year of the Dealer digital trails.