There is a Billiard table in White Palace, made Cox & Yeman Factory in London, which is handmade and in has very subtle inlaid works on the edge and the base.
Cox & Yeman business was founded by Mr. Henry Cox in 1848 and he was joined in partnership by Mr., Edward Yeman in 1851. So the trading name from that point was the Cox & Yeman name. Interestingly Mr. Yeman had served his time with Burroughes & Watts as there is a record of him 'stuffing ' cushions (although rubber was being used the firms still referred to 'stuffing' when fitting cushion rubber into the cushions). The record also shows that a Miss Yeman (assumed to be his daughter) was making 'Holland covers' for the billiard tables for Burroughes & Watts.
A further record in 1868 shows that the business was situated at 209a Brompton Road, London, SW and was exporting Billiard tables to India 'and warmer climates' These tables had 'metallic adjustment for leveling' Also made lamps, Gas fittings and seating for Billiard rooms.
When in 1870 the first billiard championship match between Roberts & Cook took place the position of the Cox & Yeman business as one of the big three was confirmed. As they along with Burroughes & Watts and Thurston donated the magnificent silver cup for presentation to the winner.
It was also in that year that the business moved into larger premises in at 184 Brompton Road. A notice in the TIMES relating to the sale by auction of 'the valuable lease of the premises in good repair, containing nine rooms, two shops fitted with plate glass fronts, sun blinds and Clark's steel shutters, large garden in the rear, with entrance from Chapel Place (Times 28/02/1870 page 16).
Another report from the TIMES, Saturday July 1st. 1876 on page 14 - - Partnership dissolved between Mr. H. Cox and Mr. E. Yeman, Brompton Road billiard table makers. However the business continued in the name Cox & Yeman.
The 'World of Billiards' which was 'The official Organ of the Billiard Association of Great Britain & Ireland, India & The Colonies' reported in their 8th October 1902 issue that - His majesty the Shah of Persia, through his Excellency the Minister in London, ordered two billiard tables from Messrs. Cox & Yeman, billiard makers of 184 Brompton Road …. The report goes on to tell that the tables were packed in cases and sent to Paris where they joined the personal baggage overland to Persia.