Started 1855 in London by John Huffam King. Sold 1857, renamed Patent Type-Founding Company. Purchased 1873 by P.M. Shanks and H.A. Revell. Known as P.M. Shanks & Co. from 1881. Later P.M. Shanks and Sons, Ltd. Merged in 1933 with R.H. Stevens Ltd [the Figgins foundry] to form Stevens, Shanks. [Circuitous Root].