In January 1884, the Sir Josiah Mason Memorial Committee, headed by Dr Heslop, informed the Public Works Department that Williamson was to be entrusted with the project and suggested that a vacant pedestal in Ratcliffe Place (now Chamberlain Square) opposite Mason College, would be the most appropriate setting for the finished work.

The statue, claimed to be an 'exceedingly faithful' likeness in face and figure, was unveiled on 1 October 1885 by Sir John Lubbock MP. It was of 'colossal proportion', and showed Mason seated and holding in his right hand a pen with which he is about to sign the Trust Deed of the Mason College. The chair in which the figure is seated was in Gothic style. On the back were the arms of Mason College and underneath were scrolls representing the plans of the College. On 6th October 1885, the statue was accepted by the Corporation and placed in the care of the Public Works Department. It eventually fell into a poor state of repair and was removed in 1951, the bust being preserved. The Birmingham Civic Society, in conjunction with the Erdington Historical Society, suggested to the Public Works Department that the bust be cast in bronze and placed near the Mason Orphanage. This was approved and Bloye executed the work which was placed in position in 1952 and the original statue then destroyed.