Covent Garden in City of Westminster in Greater London, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

John Jacob Holtzapffel (1768-1835)

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 26, 2026

1. John Jacob Holtzapffel (1768-1835) Marker

Inscription.
John Jacob Holtzapffel
(1768-1835)

Manufacturer of ornamental turning lathes
lived here 1794-1811

Erected by Seven Dials Trust.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Seven Dials Trust series list.

Location. 51° 30.767′ N, 0° 7.507′ W. Marker is in City of Westminster, England, in Greater London. It is in Covent Garden. It is on Long Acre west of Langley Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 118 Long Acre, City of Westminster, England WC2E 9LA, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Greater South East.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dame Margot Fonteyn (here, next to

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

this marker); John Logie Baird (within shouting distance of this marker); The White Lion (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Queen’s Theatre (about 90 meters away); Lionel Lukin (1742-1834) (about 90 meters away); The Nags Head (about 90 meters away); John Dryden (about 90 meters away); Charles Boon (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in City of Westminster.

Also see . . .
1. John Jacob Holtzapffel (1768–1835) (Seven Dials Trust). Excerpt:

… Although neither the originator nor the only maker of ornamental turning lathes, Holtzapffel was the most famous and brought them to their zenith in the 19th century. The company (which also made other mechanical and edge tools, as well as dealing in ivory and hardwoods for turners) sold plain lathes and ornamental turning lathes which could fetch £400 - several years' wages for an ordinary workman. Their main market was wealthy amateurs: clergy, aristocrats and heads of state. Queen Victoria gave Archduke Otto von Hapsburg of Austria a lathe by Holtzapffel as a wedding present in 1886.…

(Submitted on April 14, 2026.)

2. Holtzapffel (Wikipedia).

John Jacob Holtzapffel (1768-1835) Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 26, 2026

2. John Jacob Holtzapffel (1768-1835) Marker - wide view

The plaque for John Jacob Holtzapffel is the leftmost of the two visible here, while the one for Dame Margot Fonteyn is to the right of it.

Overview:

The Holtzapffel dynasty of tool and lathe makers was founded in Long Acre, London by a Strasbourg-born turner, Jean-Jacques Holtzapffel, in 1794. The firm specialized in lathes for ornamental turning but also made a name for its high-quality edge and boring tools.

(Submitted on April 14, 2026.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 14, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.