Pillans & Wilson

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This printing firm is one of the oldest printing firms in Edinburgh. James Pillans, an apprentice of William Smellie, opened his own shop in Riddle's Court around 1775. While there his son Hugh entered the firm as a partner and the firm became J. Pillans & Son.

A separate printing firm had been run by his other son John, but these two firms merged in 1827 when they became H & J Pillans. Soon after this the firm moved to James's Court. When this building was destroyed in 1857 the brothers re-established their business at another address in James's Court when they remained until 1877 when they moved to Thistle Street.

In 1886 the firm became H & J Pillans and Wilson with the appointment of Mr W Scott Wilson as a major partner. The firm moved to another address in Thistle Street where they remained until 1919 when they moved to Newington. The firm was bought by Colorgraphic (An English based firm) in 1987 and is now part of the Ormolu Group with a base in Leith Walk in Edinburgh.

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