Magi:
Camm saw, concurred
The so-called Digby Window in the south west corner
of the church is signed by Thomas William Camm (1839-1912).
He founded
family firms of stained glass designers and makers,
first with his brothers John Matthew and Henry
Charles as Camm Bros in 1882, and then under the name
T. W. Camm & Co, from The Studio in Smethwick.
The window shows the adoration of the magi.
The inscription
in the bottom of the window reads: "To
the the glory of God and in affectionate memory of George
Digby Wingfield Digby of Sherborne Castle, Dorset, and
Coleshill who restored the church in 1859 and died in
May 1883. This window is placed by desire of his widow
who died in June 1891 by his relatives and friends 1894."
While not rare - there are many of his designs and installations
in this country and abroad - it is a fine product of
a once well-known Midlands family. Best known nowadays
perhaps is his daughter, Florence.
Florence was one of three of nine children to join the
family business, to which she dedicated her life. She
Studied intermittently at the Birmingham School of Art
until 1912 the year of her father's death, leaving the
school to concentrate on the family firm.
Sandwell Community History and Archives Service at Smethwick
Library has an extensive catalogue of Camm's work. |