John W Thompson Hand Engraver
Vous et Nul Aute translated from Norman English the phrase means. You and No Other. John W Thompson engraved the phrase around a hand-crafted ring for his wife. I think it's really romantic, he enthuses down the phone. For himself, John engraved a ring with the phrase Cave Patentis Furorum Beware the Fury of a Patient Man. It seems impossible to imagine John being furious. In fact he is ebullient, spinning anecdotes and jokes, relating memories and history. I like talking to people, he says.
John also likes his trade. It's in the blood as his ancestor was the famed 18th Century hand engraver William Hogarth. I'm very proud to be an engraver, says the artisan who was taught copperplate writing by his father at age four. After a year in art school in the early 1960s, John signed up to a London copperplate engraving firm with royal patronage. He engraved the stationery for most of the royal family. He also crafted a signet ring for Prince Charles, when he became the Prince of Wales.
Since arriving in Australia 20 years ago, John started his business as a copperplate engraver after a stint in publishing. My wife was saying for a long time, Why don't you do wedding rings?' it took about a year for the penny to drop, then I said to my wife, Why don't I start engraving wedding rings?' He has since built up his traditional craft business with his son Peter working as an apprentice on the fourth floor of The Dymocks Building.
For those who arrive wanting a tinny trophy engraved, John says, I'm not an instant engraver. The methods that I use now are exactly the same as they were back in the 14th Century. John crafts wedding and engagement rings from yellow, rose and white gold and platinum and can engrave phrases in any language. John and Peter also craft cufflinks and are catering to a resurgence in the popularity of rings with family crests, to be used for wax seals.
The quality of the work that we do is outstanding, says John. We try our utmost to produce 110% quality on everything that we make. The best thing to do is to come and see us and you'll be amazed by the work.