Francisco Anzani (c.1800-1883)

Francisco Anzani[1] was an Italian fancy goods dealer whose "Rocking Horse Bazaar" shop existed in Huddersfield for around 20 years.

Biography

He was born in Milan, Italy, but had moved to England by the late 1820s where he worked as a carver and gilder in partnership with Dominico Guggiari at Nottingham. The pair manufactured barometers, thermometers, looking glasses, and picture frames.[2]

He had moved to Huddersfield by the mid-1830s, where he married Jane Russell in May 1835. The couple had seven known children:

  • Isabella Anzani (c.1836-1882)[3]
  • Sarah Jane Anzani (1837-1891)[4]
  • Ann Anzani (c.1839-1867)
  • Francisco Anzani (1840-1842)
  • Francisco Anzani (c.1843-1867)[5]
  • Angelina Anzani (c.1845-1929)[6]
  • George Anzani (c.1848-1873)[7]
Huddersfield Chronicle (25/May/1850)

"Anzani's Rocking Horse Bazaar" was situated on Cross Church Street, Huddersfield. When the Huddersfield Chronicle began circulation in 1850, Anzani paid for the following advertisement to be placed prominently on the front page:

ROCKING HORSE BAZAAR, 27, CROSS CHURCH-STREET, HUDDERSFIELD, AND SPRING GARDENS, BUXTON.

F. ANZANI,
JEWELLER, TOY MERCHANT, AND DEALER IN GENERAL FANCY GOODS,
RESPECTFULLY announces to the Inhabitants of Huddersfield and neighbourhood, that he has REMOVED his Establishment from 26 to 27, Cross Church Street, which he has fitted up, from the three great markets of the world — Paris, London, and Birmingham — with

A SPLENDID STOCK OF SILVER AND SILVER-PLATED GOODS,
Of a most costly character. His ASSORTMENT of GENERAL FANCY ARTICLES is first-rate, and for price cannot be equalled. The PAPIER MACHIE DEPARTMENT is superb, and at such prices as cannot fail to give general satisfaction. His

METAL AND CABINET GOODS
Cannot be surpassed for Cheapness and Quality.

Ladies and Gentlemen’s DRESSING CASES, in Rosewood, Mahogany, Russia Duc, and Morocco. Ladies’ CARD CASES, in Shell, Papier Machié, and Morocco. The STOCK of JEWELLERY is strongly recommended as being very cheap, and of first-rate quality. FRENCH CHINA, and every kind of BOHEMIAN GLASS, in ancient, modern, and unique patterns, at remarkably low prices. MECHANICAL FIGURES, Musical Boxes and Time Pieces, Accordians, and Tunbridge Goods of every imaginable class. Newly-invented TOYS in endless variety, and very cheap.

Motto :— SMALL PROFITS AND QUICK RETURNS.

Remember the Address! — ANZANI, ROCKING HORSE BAZAAR, 27, Cross Church Street.

The shop was relocated to the Lion Arcade in February 1854 where he sold "jewellery, fancy toys, cigars, accordions, and other musical instruments". Anzani also had shops of the same name in Sheffield and Buxton in Derbyshire.

The family had moved to Buxton by the early 1860s.

Jane Anzani died on 26 October 1875.

Francisco Anzani died on 1 January 1883, aged 83, leaving an estate valued at £485. He was buried on 4 January 1883 at St. John's Church, Buxton.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Also known as Francis Anzani. A court case of 1836 implies that his surname was actually Anazani, but that he had adopted the spelling "Anzani" after moving to England.
  2. See advertisement on the front page of Nottingham Review and General Advertiser (22/May/1829).
  3. She married John Charles Conolly in 1861. Widowed by the 1871 Census when she was recored as a "land owner". Died 12 December 1882 aged 47, buried 15 December at St. John's Church, Buxton.
  4. Born 14 July 1837. Baptised 16 July 1837 at St. Patrick's Church, Huddersfield. Died 18 November 1891 at Buxton.
  5. Also known as Francis. Worked as a hotel keeper. Married 1864 to either Mary Senior or Jemima Wheatcroft. Died 30 September 1867. His will was not proved until 1876.
  6. Married Aesop Herbert Hulley. Died 4 April 1929.
  7. Married Eliza. Died 1 March 1873 aged 25. Buried 25 March at St. John's Church, Buxton.
  8. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/186742184/francisco-anzani