A novelty Victorian silver die inkwell, Grey & Co., Birmingham, 1897

The first proprietor of Grey & Co., after whom the company took its name, was William Grey. He is said to have been born in the Soho district of London about 1838, entering his marks at the London Assay Office on 17 May and 31 August 1876. Describings himself as a leather and metal worker, he appears to have severed his connection with the business in 1887, after which he and his wife, Caroline (1848-1933), together with their son, Stewart Smith Grey (6 January 1875 – 24 February 1948) went to live in Windsor, Berkshire. For a few years Mrs. Grey, a florist, ran her own business but from 1891 she worked from home as a flannel cap maker. Mr. Grey died in 1900 and their son, a joiner, emigrated in 1910 to the United States.

Meanwhile, probably in 1887, the ownership of Grey & Co., 161A Great Portland Street, Marylebone, was transferred to Sidney Thomas Oldridge (5 November 1863 – 4 February 1940), after which the firm was usually listed in trade directories as 'manufacturing silversmiths, metal and leather workers, electotypers, platers, gilders, etc., manufacturers of ladies' fancy belts, gentlemen's sporting belts, dressing case fittings, pocket books, dog collars, bags, spectacle cases, chatelaines, etc.' Oldridge's somet.mes partner (until June 1900) was Frederick John Russell, one of his brothers-in-law.

In addition to running Grey & Co., Sidney T. Oldridge was also a well-known ventriloquist, conjuror and entertainer who for many years toured the country, most often on behalf of the Primrose League in support of the Conservative party’s cause. He was present for a meeting of the League at the King's Arms Hotel, Kenilworth, Warwickshire on 2 April 1887, when he 'gave selections from his programme of sleight-of-hand tricks in a very clever manner; and Mrs Arthur James was happy in her effort, ''A Summer Shower.'' Mr Sidney Oldridge then gave a very amusing ventriloquial entertainment, and his dialogue with Mrs Brown was very skilful and produced roars of laughter and applause.' (Leamington Spa Courier, Leamington Spa, Saturday, 9 April 1887, p. 7f) On another occasion, again for the Primrose League, he appeared at Bicton, near Budleigh Salterton, Devon in his variety entertainment when he was assisted by the musician Herr Louis Honic. 'Mr. Sidney Oldridge proved himself to be an up-to-date entertainer, his sleight-of-hand illusions being exceedingly good, whilst he was none the less successful in the ventriloquial performance.' (Freeman's Exmouth Journal, Exmouth Saturday, 27 April 1901, p. 8d)

Under Oldridge's energetic ownership, Grey & Co. continued to flourish, entering marks in London as well as at Birmingham and Chester for the varied silver novelties produced under their banner and which were supplied to many retailers in the United Kingdom and Colonies. Following Oldridge's retirement, Grey & Co. ceased trading about 1936.