François Hippolyte Lemaitre /François Hippolyte Lemaître/ took over in 1836 the Paris jeweller firm Cebron which was founded by L. Bourdier in 1785. Already Bourdier was specialized in orders. Firm was one of the purveyors of Napoleon III during the Second Empire and its sign read "Jewellers to the Court of Napoleon III," and later "Jewellers to the King of Greece." By 1848 company became purveyor of the King Louis-Philippe, the King of the Two Sicilies, and the Duke of Lucca (before that, he was appointed to the 3rd class of the civil decoration of Lucca /later order ot St Louis/ in 1843). The firm came under the leadership of François's son Edmond Lemaitre in 1865. Edmond Lemaitre became purveyor of the King of the Hellenes (1867), the King of Italy (1868), and the Emperor of Brazil (1874). In 1905, the next generation took over the management of the company - Gaston Lemaitre. In 1920, Lemaitre took over Boullanger firm. In 1921 it changed its corporate name to "Lemaitre & Fills". In 1936, it changed its name again to "Lemaitre & Cie". The firm was eventually taken over by Arthus Bertrand in 1937. Lemaitre was one of the largest French manufacturers of awards until the First World War.
Workshop marks.
From 1855 until 1905 workshop used "EL (for Edmond Lemaître) with a grenade with 4 flames in the center" mark /E.L + une grenade à quatre flammes/.
From 1905 until 1922 workshop used "GL (for Gaston Lemaître) with a grenade with 4 flames in the center" mark. /G.L + une grenade à quatre flammes/.
After the company name was changed in 1922 to "Lemaitre & Fills" it started using a new mark "L& grenade in the center Fils".
Workshop addresses and plaques.
27 rue des-Bons-Enfans (from 1831 until 1850).
Workshop marks.
From 1855 until 1905 workshop used "EL (for Edmond Lemaître) with a grenade with 4 flames in the center" mark /E.L + une grenade à quatre flammes/.
From 1905 until 1922 workshop used "GL (for Gaston Lemaître) with a grenade with 4 flames in the center" mark. /G.L + une grenade à quatre flammes/.
After the company name was changed in 1922 to "Lemaitre & Fills" it started using a new mark "L& grenade in the center Fils".
Workshop addresses and plaques.
27 rue des-Bons-Enfans (from 1831 until 1850).
Early workshop advertisement from the pre-1850 time period.
"42 Rue Coquilliere" (from 1850 until 1863)
"40 Rue Coquilliere" (from 1863 until 1901)
"5 bis Rue du Louvre" (from 1901 until 1918).
Firm catalogue from early 1900s.
Note that catalogue has a stamp "transfére 346 Rue Saint-Honore/ Transferred to 346 Rue Saint-Honore".
"Lemaitre 346 Rue Saint-Honore" (from 1918 until 1922).
"Lemaitre&Fils 346 Rue Saint-Honore" (from 1922 until 1936).
In 1921 firm changed its name to "Lemaitre & Fills" and in 1936 to "Lemaitre & Cie".
