Maker record
Bassett Lowke
Bassett-Lowke was an English model-making and engineering company founded in Northampton in 1899 by Wenman J. Bassett-Lowke. Its range centred on model railways, including locomotives and rolling stock, and also included steam engines and ships, often sold as kits. Early locomotives were supplied by German makers Bing and Carette, with designs associated with British engineer Henry Greenly. The company later expanded its own production and resumed toy manufacture after the Second World War with a focus on 0-gauge railways.
- Founded
- 1899
- Locations
- Northampton, England · 1899
- Founders
- Wenman J. Bassett-Lowke
The story of Bassett Lowke
Wenman J. Bassett-Lowke founded his company in Northampton in 1899. Around the turn of the century, he met German toy manufacturer Stephan Bing, whose firm supplied locomotives, some based on designs by British engineer Henry Greenly; Carette later became another supplier. Bassett-Lowke issued its first catalogue in 1902 and opened its first London shop in 1908. In addition to model railways, the company sold steam engines and ships, often in kit form.
The First World War interrupted its German supply relationships, and the company turned to munitions work. After the war, business with Bing resumed. When Bing ceased trading in 1932, Bassett-Lowke had expanded its own capacity to supply the British market. Toy production stopped again during the Second World War and restarted in 1945, focused on 0-gauge railways. The original company's toy production declined after Bassett-Lowke's death in 1953. Its shops were sold to Beatties in 1965, and an attempted revival under Bassett-Lowke (Railways) Ltd in 1968 did not gain traction. A 1926 catalogue held by Museums Victoria records the company's scale railway models and lists Northampton as its works and head office.