The Mander Brothers
The Mander Brothers set up a japan shop in John Street, Wolverhampton in 1792. Benjamin was the driving force along with Charles, a varnish maker and John, a chemist and pharmacist. Little is known of their early goods, but in 1811, they supplied a paper waiter and other goods to Chamberlains of Worcester; respected porcelain manufacturers and fashionable retailers. This gives an indication of the firm's high standing.
Charles Mander, Benjamin's son, took over the firm in 1818. By the 1830s the varnish trade seemed to be overtaking the interest in Japanware. However, they continued in production until 1840, when Mander decided to concentrate on varnish and sold his japanning firm to William Shoolbred. Manders still continued to provide varnish to the Japanware trade.