Humphrey Payne
Humphrey Payne, son of Nicholas Payne of Ludlow in the County of Sallop tallowchandler, apprenticed to Roger Grange 15th August 1694 and turned over to Thomas Parr. Free, 1st November 1701. Address: Gutter Lane.
Signatory as "working goldsmith" to the petition complaining of the competition of "necessitous strangers" December 1711, and to that against assaying work of foreigners not having served seven years apprenticeship, February 1716.
Second and third marks (Sterling), undated, c. June 1720. Address: Cheapside. 'Silversmith'. Livery, October 1708. Court, 1734. Warden, 1747-9. Died 2nd August 1751, being the same day as Paul de Lamerie.
Heal records him as a plateworker, London 1697-9 (for which the evidence of his apprenticeship appears contradictory); Golden Cup, Gutter Lane, 1701-20; Hen and Chickens, Cheapside, 1720-40 (both these signs are incorporated in the corresponding marks); London, 1750; Humphrey and John Payne, goldsmiths and jewellers, Hen and Chickens, Cheapside, 1753-5.
His work, never in any way ambitious, appears to have been limited to plain domestic pieces in the hollowware category, covered cups, tankards, mugs, tea and coffee pieces. It is doubtful whether he produced candlesticks or other castings. While thoroughly competent, his work rarely shows any individuality of design.
