Philip & Tacey | Company history

Philip & Tacey -
a brief history

1826: John Tacey,
from High Wycombe is
appointed Headmaster at the
British School in City Road,
London

1826 - 1829: John raises the
profile of the British School
which becomes a meeting
place for schools all over
London. School equipment
was difficult to track down in
the early 19th century, but John gains a strong
reputation for equipping both
his school and many others

1829: John opens an early
version of the company,
being one of the first school
supply houses in the world

1862: After John's death, his
nephew takes over the
business. The small business
grows rapidly, with other
companies also setting up in
competition

1902: The company goes
into business with George
Philip & Son - a publishing
company in Fleet Street, and
Philip & Tacey is formed

1918: Philip & Tacey
becomes the first supplier of
Friedrich Froebel materials
and also exclusive supplier to
Madam Maria Montessori until
1939

Madam Montessori

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	Philip & Tacey - a brief history 1826: John Tacey, from High Wycombe is appointed Headmaster at the British School in City Road, London 1826 - 1829: John raises the profile of the British School which becomes a meeting place for schools all over London. School equipment was difficult to track down in the early 19th century, but John gains a strong reputation for equipping both his school and many others 1829: John opens an early version of the company, being one of the first school supply houses in the world 1862: After John's death, his nephew takes over the business. The small business grows rapidly, with other companies also setting up in competition 1902: The company goes into business with George Philip & Son - a publishing company in Fleet Street, and Philip & Tacey is formed 1918: Philip & Tacey becomes the first supplier of Friedrich Froebel materials and also exclusive supplier to Madam Maria Montessori until 1939	1919: Philip & Tacey relocate to the site of the Palace Laundry in Fulham, as well as expanding into a joinery works in nearby Putney 1920: George Philip dissolves the association with Philip & Tacey to focus on his publishing business. The name Philip & Tacey remains... 1945: The company starts to offer a much wider range of goods - particularly for Primary and Kindgergarten classes	1950s and 1960s: Education is a key priority for governments in the UK and worldwide which Philip & Tacey respond to with new style teaching resources 1968: A new Philip & Tacey factory is designed and built in Barnstaple, Devon 1971: Remaining London staff relocate to new premises in Andover, Hampshire 1999: Refocus of the business so the Barnstaple site becomes the main warehouse and the Andover site houses the factory and other office staff 2003-4: Move to the 21st century with the introduction of new Philip & Tacey branding, launch of new website and introduction of new ERP system. 175 years after being founded by John Tacey in London, the company is still owned by the Tacey family today.







The first Philip & Tacey catalogue - 1903 alongside the current - 2004 - 2005