Antique Dealers: the British Antique Trade in the 20th Century

David Lewis Isaacs was a prominent antique dealer, with business roots dating back into the mid 19th century. According to the publicity produced by the firm, they were established in 1868 (the shop front of D.L. Isaacs, in a photograph of c.1920 also suggests that they were established in 1860).  D.L. Isaacs was born in 1842 and died on 13th December 1912 at his home at 79 Portland Place, London. His estate (amounting to the considerable sum of £57,360.8s.12d) was divided between his widow, Hannah (Annie) Isaacs and the antique dealer Moss Harris.  The firm became M. Harris & Sons after the death of Isaacs in 1912, but remained as D.L. Isaacs until c.1920. Isaac and Harris also appear to have operated a shop in Kensington Church Street in the period c.1915 to 1918, called 'Lewis & Isaacs'.