Holtzapffel, who merged to become Walker's & Holtzapffel, and who as W&H Models remained London's largest model shop until their demise in 1994, began advertising 00-gauge components in 1928. After 1928, the firm was taken over by Sharpleshall Ltd. and was known as Sharples Hall Works. From 1932-1956, an associate firm conducted business as Walkers & Holtzapffel, and was also known as 'Walkers' during the period 1929-1931.
W&H (Models) Ltd was incorporated in October 1956 but Walkers & Holtzapffel continued to be used as the trading name until March 1959. They were actually located in Paddington Street but they added Baker Street (telephone Welbeck 8835) to their address until the trading name change.
Walker & Holtzapffel were at 61 Baker Street by 1933 and remained there until September 1956 when they moved to Paddington Street. They, by then trading as W&H Models, finally moved to 'larger showrooms' in New Cavendish Street during winter 1963/64. They retained the same Welbeck phone number throughout. It is probable W&H had the Paddington Street premises prior to 1956, but not as a shop, as they had a substantial manufacturing (i.e. Romford motors), and wholesaling business as well as retail.
John Van Riemsdijk was known for a controlled clockwork mechanism which was marketed as the Walker Riemsdijk mechanism, the Walker element referring to the London shop of Walkers & Holtzapffel in whose catalogue it was featured.
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