 Johnson Matthey, Hatton Garden, London. |
A Platinum Gift to King George III
A GESTURE BY WILLIAM HASLEDINE PEPYS, CUTLER AND INSTRUMENT MAKER
Platinum Metals Review
Article Synopsis
In 1805, when malleable platinum was only just becoming available in small quantities, the son of a London cutler and surgical instrument maker who extended his father's business into the design and manufacture of scientific instruments, made a pair of platinum fruit knives which he asked Sir Joseph Banks, then the President of the Royal Society, to present to King George III and Queen Charlotte.