This company presented itself as a pioneer in the Britannia metal and electro-plate trades (Ironmonger, 12 November 1887).  Richard Richardson was born in Southwark, Surrey, on 28 May 1845, the son of Haigh Richardson (1808-23 March 1876), an innkeeper, and his wife Frances née Roberts (1817-1891).  By 1861, Richard was an apprentice, living in Sheffield with his uncle Henry Roberts (of saw maker Crookes, Roberts & Co).  He became a factory manager.  In the 1870s, Richardson assumed control of Richard Parkin & Son, Pond Hill, which was involved in Britannia metal and electro-plate.  By 1873, Richardson’s factory was known as Cornwall Works, Pond Hill.  He then relocated to Norfolk Street and advertised in the directory (1879) as a manufacturer of electro-plated, nickel silver, and Britannia metal goods.  The firm had a London showroom at Holborn Viaduct in London.  By 1881, the workforce was 61 employees (two-thirds of whom were female).  In 1883, the company registered a silver mark (RR) in Sheffield.

In 1890, Richardson vacated the leased premises in Norfolk Street and purchased Cornwall Works in Scotland Street (the former factory of John Harrison Ltd).  Richardson became Harrison’s ‘successor’.  In 1909, Richardson’s adopted limited liability with £15,000 capital.  It made a wide range of luxury goods: silver fruit-knives, carvers and dessert knives were amongst its specialities, marked with a shield and reversed ‘R’s. 

By 1919, Richard Richardson had apparently retired and his son, Joseph Henry Richardson (1871-1951), was the director.  By 1925, the firm was bankrupt. The freehold of Cornwall Works and its plant and stock were offered for sale (Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 20 June 1925). The property realised £900. Richard Richardson died on 15 April 1930 at The Wilderness, Dormans Park, near East Grinstead.  He left £363. J. H. Richardson next launched Richardson & Binney, which used the Richard Richardson trade mark.