Bibby logo

[Annie Martin]

Hi folks

I'm new to this social networking so might be a bit slow!

I am doing research on a significant Victorian building in Malvern, Worcestershire, associated with the Water Cure. It was built some time in the early 1850s by Dr. James Manby Gully.

It has been pointed out to me that the decorative stone 'shield' on the building - which has always been thought of as perhaps a family emblem of the original owner - is infact the same design as the Bibby logo of a fist clutching a 'dagger' (if you'll excuse my description!).

Does anyone have an idea where the logo came from and/or what it signifies?

Thanks in advance and fingers crossed.

Annie

[John Callon]

Hello Annie,

Having sailed with the Bibby Line for quite a number of years I can confirm that their logo is indeed a clenched fist holding a dagger in gold on a red background. However I am afraid I can not cast any info as to how the Bibby Line adopted this logo for their house flag. I think your best course of action would be to write to them at their head office in Liverpool, the address being Duke Street. If you do a google search for Bibby Line you will be taken to their home page and there is link on it "Contact Us". I think you will find them most helpful as all employees are made fully aware of the fact that they are working for the oldest private shipping company on the planet. Hope this is some help towards your quest.
Regards,
John.

[Doc Vernon]

Hello Annie
'Welcome to the site and hope you will find a lot of interest here!
This will not answer your question,but may interst you anyway!
Cheers

Bibby Line Limited | History

Just added!

Red with a yellow device in the center with wide black fimbriations. The device shows a hand holding a dagger.
Originally it was a plain red flag, but later the crest of the Bibby family was added.

The house flag of Bibby Brothers and Co., Liverpool. A rectangular red flag with a crest of a yellow hand holding a dagger. The mantling is yellow and black. The Bibby family crest was added the to the original plain red flag in 1926 to avoid association with the Bolshevik red flag. The flag is made of a wool and synthetic fibre bunting. It has a cotton hoist and is machine sewn. A rope and Inglefield clip is attached.

http://www.oceanlinermuseum.co.uk/Bi...20history.html

[Annie Martin]

Thanks for your message: good idea to contact Bibby direct. Had an interesting reply from Doc Vernon with more info. Haven't worked out how this site works but hopefully you will be able to see his message as well. It seems the crest with the fist and dagger is the Bibby family crest - added to the plain red Bibby flag in 1926 to avoid confusion with the Rusian flag.
Chhers - Annie

[Annie Martin]

Hi again
You can see I haven't worked out this system yet. I replied to another message (I thought) but it seems I sent the reply to you!
Anyway, thanks for all the info - very interesting. Do you know if the Bibby line might have brought things back from Jamaica in the very early days? (Gully was born in Jamaica but lived most of his life in Britain.)
I'll get the hang of his soon.
Cheers - Annie

[John Callon]

For the record Bibbys did trade to the West Indies around about 1812 for a short number of years. As I said in my earlier post your best course of action is to contact the Company direct.
Regards,
John