Matthew George Collingwood (1826-1892), a clock and watchmaker, started business at Middlesbrough in 1855.  He became Mayor in 1890.  He was succeeded at Collingwood & Co by his only son, Horatio Nelson Collingwood (1866-1949). 

The firm opened branches at Middlesbrough, West Hartlepool, Sunderland, Stockton-on-Tees, and Darlington.  As a retail jeweller and factor, the firm sold ‘PEERLESS’ electro-plate, spoons, and forks; and table cutlery (such as table and cheese knives).  In 1899, it registered a mark at the London Assay Office.  In 1909, the firm was incorporated as Collingwood & Son Ltd, with 25,000 in £1 shares (3,600 preference).  H. N. Collingwood and Mr T. Crawford were directors (Yorkshire Post, 22 November 1909).

The ‘Rustless’ table knife in the Hawley Trust Collection appears to be an early example of stainless cutlery (probably from the early 1920s).  It carries Collingwood’s ‘PEERLESS’ trade mark, but also ‘ALPHA’.  This may denote the Sheffield maker, as that mark was owned by Harrison Bros & Howson.

Horatio Nelson Collingwood of Rystwood House, Forest Row, Sussex, died on 9 April 1949 at Camberwell House, Peckham Road.  He left effects of £41,940.  The firm’s last retail outlet apparently closed in the early 1960s.