A. Blackborne & Co were founded in c.1850 by Anthony Blackborne (1824-1878), as lace manufacturers; by 1852 the firm had opened a shop in South Audley Street, London; the firm continued until the death of Arthur Blackborne (b.1856) in 1952. The firm also regularly sold antique lace and became renowned dealers in antique lace during the later 19th century.
The archive of A. Blackborne & Co remains at The Bowes Museum in County Durham, England. See also J. Hashagen & S. Levey Fine & Fashionable, Lace from the Blackborne Collection (2006).