Edward Hugh Parkin (1893-1963) was born in Sheffield, the son of Edward Oswald Parkin and his wife, Elizabeth Jane. His father was a silver and electro-plate engraver, who later became a photographer. He left £574 on his death in 1910. His son, Edward, began working as a silver warehouseman. Later sources stated that he began his career in Scotland Street as an apprentice at Cornwall Works of R. Richardson.  After army service in France during the First World War, in 1919 Parkin started his own business in Brookhill.  In 1932, after Richardson ceased trading, Parkin occupied Cornwall Works. E. H. Parkin & Co specialised in electro-plate and silver holloware.

The factory produced military components during the Second World War. It was hit by an air raid, so  in 1946 Parkin rebuilt the factory. The firm became a limited company.  In 1952, it took over the silverware business of Land’s.  By 1960, Parkin’s apparently employed over 100.  Edward H. Parkin, of Swingle Grange, Hollow Meadows, died at The Carlton Hotel, Bournemouth, on 12 October 1963, aged 70.  A Freeman of the Company of Cutlers and a Freemason, his funeral was at Sheffield Cathedral. He left £33,408. His sons, Alan Hugh and John Edward, succeeded him.  In 1977, E. H. Parkin moved to Cornwall Works, Bowling Green Street (Quality, May/June 1977). Alan’s son, Peter, had been introduced to the business. ‘CAMEO’ featured as a trade mark. The name ‘Parkin Silversmiths Ltd’ was later owned by British Silverware Ltd.  Parkin Silversmiths eventually became part of the Solpro Group.