According to the firm’s catalogues, it was established in 1828. William Marples (1809-1877) was listed after 1833 as a joiner’s tool and skate manufacturer in Broomhall Street. He was the son of William, a joiner’s tool maker (and victualler) – originally from Baslow – and his wife, Mary. William Jun. partnered his cousin, Robert Marples (1807-1862). The latter was the son of Robert Marples (1772-1839), a joiner, who later operated the Stag’s Head in Sharrow (a pub which passed to the father of Thomas Marples). That partnership was dissolved in 1835, when the cousins continued separately. By 1859, William was based at Hibernia Works in Westfield Terrace, where he was joined by three sons:  Edwin Henry (1835-1918), William Kent (1839-1883), and Albert (1841-1904).  Another son, Charles (1848-1901), became a partner in Turner, Naylor & Marples. William Marples, Endcliffe Edge, died on 2 October 1877, aged 68. He was buried in Fulwood, leaving £12,000. 

William Marples & Sons became ‘Ltd’ in 1898. It acquired Thomas Ibbotson & Co and Turner, Naylor & Co Ltd in 1905 and 1909, respectively. Marples became well known for its woodworking tools, such as its braces (Eaton, 1989¹), but it was also a merchant. Its catalogues depicted ‘HIBERNIA’ and ‘SHAMROCK’ branded cutlery, such as razors, scissors, and trade knives for, inter alia, plumbers, painters, and decorators. According to Goins (1998)², Marples marketed Bowie knives. After 1960, Marples was absorbed by other companies.

^1. Eaton, Reg, The Ultimate Brace: A Unique Product of Victorian Sheffield (The author, 1989)

^2. Goins, J  E, and Goins, C, Goins’ Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings (Indianapolis, 1998)