The Silver Spade

This silver spade was used to cut the first sod on the site of the Gramophone and Typewriter Company building. World-famous Gramophone Company tenor Edward Lloyd was given the honour of breaking the first sod at the Blyth Road site on February 9th, 1907. This spade is currently preserved at the EMI Archive Trust.

Ceremonial Spade - EMIAT.1050 This ceremonial spade was used by the tenor Edward Lloyd to cut the first sod of the Gramophone Company's factory in Hayes. The sod cutting ceremony took place on February 8th 1907, the site was to become the Record Factory. This ceremonial spade has an ebonised wooden shaft and handle. The blade is fixed to the shaft by five screws, one at the front and four at the rear. The blade itself appears silver, but no hall marks are found. There is an incised floral motif running all around the front of the blade, the reverse is left blank. In the centre of the blade, on the front, there is an inscription. Date: 1907
Ceremonial Spade – EMIAT.105

David Hughes, former Chair of the EMI Archive Trust, shared his story via the blog about how the spade came to the trust. During his time supervising the EMI archive, a silver spade became available for sale with an engraving that linked it to the company. There was very little known about the spade and its significance at the time, but after some research the Trust decided to buy it to be kept in the archive. He took it home by car, to be delivered to Hayes the following morning.   Unfortunately, he awoke to find the car had been burgled. The thief had carefully removed a window and the internal light bulbs and carefully dismantled the CD player and its 6-CD cartridge, leaving the window on the ground. The thief was obviously unaware of the spade and its incredible value because it remained untouched inside the car!! In keeping with its original use, the spade was subsequently used by Roberto Alagna and his then wife Angela Gheorghiu to dig the first sod of the new, and current Archive building in Dawley Road.

Edward Lloyd breaking the sod for the His Masters Voice Factory
Edward Lloyd breaking the sod for the His Masters Voice Factory

Main Image: Edward Lloyd arrives at the His Masters Voice Factory site in Blyth Road 1907.

Inline Images: Ceremonial Spade catalogie number EMIAT.1050 photographer thomasbutlerphotographer.com , Edward Lloyd breaking the sod for the His Master’s Voice Factory