`Saddlery and Harness` 1911-1926
These extracts are drawn from an incomplete run of the magazine recently found in an outbuilding in South Wales, and generously donated to the Leather Museum. Although incomplete, they reveal the steady decline of the saddlery trade after the First Word War, and the efforts made by the trade to remain in business by diversifying into new areas such as sports goods and travel goods. `Saddlery and Harness` itself disappeared as a title when it was absorbed into `Leather Goods` magazine c. 1933
April 1st 1911
`Coronation Number` p.44 Attractive specialities for Coronation Trade: Messrs Sleigh and Co of Walsall producing dainty ornaments for cart harness, face brasses terrets etc for Coronation year. p.59 Whole page advert for William Overton showing horse brass designs for 1911 Coronation of King George V. p78 article re Messrs J.Withers and Son of Wisemore [site now occupied by the Leather Museum], suppliers of harness mountings to many Indian princes and rajahs.
April 6th 1912
Dewsbury and Angel have sold their business in Marsh Street to Messrs Overton Banks and Angel, who will continue it at the same address.
Dec 5th 1914
Advert re Thacker promising quick delivery of harness, gig saddles etc, despite shortages of labour brought on by the war.
Advert for military saddles, Butler Bros. p.10 “The great industrial resources of Walsall are now being taxed to their uttermost in endeavouring to cope with the enormous demands of the War Office for military equipment, both for horses and for men.” Messrs Elisha Jeffries very busy with making collars, as well as general artillery harness. The firm has taken on additional premises in order to cope with the demand. p.11 Advert for the WF patent military saddle, by William Fulford of [Lichfield Street] Walsall. p.16 Ad for EJ Parkes, Hatherton Works [Holtshill Lane] makers of Sam Browne officers` belts, yeomanry equipment, swagger canes, button sticks etc p.19 Full page ad for military outfits and equipment, saddles (1902 steel arch pattern), JABarnsby and Sons.
p.41 Mr TL Woollatt saddle tree maker of B`ham Street, Walsall, sues one of his workmen for neglect of work. Owing to his drunkenness saddle tree riveters in the workshop are having to hang around idle, waiting for him to turn up. When at work he could earn £3.16s. per week. Mr Woollatt wins his case.
Aug 4th 1917
The life of Sam Browne (General Sir Samuel Browne VC). Born 1824. Served in India in the Indian army. The belt named after him was made for the 2nd Punjab cavalry. Died in 1901, on the Isle of Wight.
Sat July 5th 1919
“Stock Peace Decorations” on front cover.
Advert for HSThacker of Alexandra Works Walsall. Peace celebration decorations. `Caddis`, Fringe, Mane Tufts, Peace Medallions, Rosettes etc.
Editorial warns that the trade is facing its most critical period ever. Prices for leather have shot up eg black harness leather was 2s.2d. but now for the same amount is 5s. 3d.(p.12)
Two page ad for D Mason and Sons promoting suit cases and attache cases. Home orders to be sent to Wisemore, Walsall, export to be sent to Bath Row B`ham.
Article `The Coming of Football`. Numbers of saddlers are becoming sports outfitters to survive down turn in saddlery trade.
One page advert for Jabez Cliff for suitcases and attaché cases.
Aug 2nd 1919
p.16 “You cannot spend £30,000,000,000 on a war in five years and expect the world to be as rich at the end as it was at the beginning”.
Double page advert for D Mason and Sons for attaché cases and suit cases. Tel 175 Wisemore, for home orders
One page advert for footballs, Jabez Cliff and Co, Globe Works, Walsall.
p.34. Saddlery Trade Wages. Meeting of the workers employed in made-up leathergoods trade at Walsall, July 16th 1919. Agreed an advance in wages for girls. Girls will now start at 10s. per week at the age of 14, and would increase at every six months to 24s per week for 17 ½ year olds. Employers agreed the following rates: 19 years, 33s; 19 ½ upwards 36 shillings. Also proposed that the 48 hour working week should apply to women as well as men. p.39 Small advert for Frank Ringrose, Midland Road, with line engravings of two saddles.
Half page advert for JHHawkins, prop. of Hampson and Scott, Nicklin and Nicklin, B G Cope.
p.40 Mention of the British Industries Fair at Birmingham. Only British- made goods can be exhibited.
Aug 30th 1919 p.9 Advert for Ministry of Munitions- by direction of the Disposals Board. Sale of surplus stock, including universal saddles, pack saddlery etc.
October 4th 1919. Midland District Tanners Federation just registered, Members incl. A D Cozens, of Walsall, J H Cock of Shrewsbury. Etc
Good advert for Jabez Cliff footballs
p.18 Small advert for Albert T Price and Co, est 1821, late John Franklin, of Bank Street Walsall, tanners, curriers, leather factors and “ Hercules” belting manufacturers.
Inside back cover is a half page advert for Charles Wincer, Brace Street Walsall, est over 50 years, mfrs of harness and all kinds of fancy leathergoods.
Oct 18th 1919.
Advert for British Industries Fair 1920 at Birmingham [the inaugural fair].All goods must be British made, and only buyers can attend. Buildings to be used are those erected during the late war at Castle Bromwich aerodrome.
Dec 6th 1919 The late Mr William Christie saddlery mfr. of Station Street died April 17th 1919 left estate worth £15,615 [about £600,000 today] p.16 one page ad for Jabez Cliff, attaché cases
Half page advert for Joseph Withers and Son [of Wisemore Walsall] `Victory Harness`. “Mfrs of harness, saddlery, spurs, bits stirrups buckles etc”.
Ad.for S Beebee and Sons Ltd, saddlers ironmongers, 101 Persehouse Street.
Ad. for D Mason and Sons announcing acquisition of Middlemore and Lamplugh of Marsh Street, Walsall. One page advert stating that D Mason and Sons of Wisemore have removed to the “much more commodious and modern premises formerly occupied by Middlemore and Lamplugh at Marsh Street Walsall”.
p.39 Whole page ad with photos for E Lloyd 63 Wednesbury Road, Walsall, football mfrs.
Jan 17th 1920 (Nothing)
Feb 14th 1920 One page D.Mason and Sons advert for `pure- dressed machine belting`
April 17th 1920 Article re the expenses and economic impact of hunting. Many packs have 200-300 members who keep an average of three horses each, equalling 600 to 900 horses. Then there are the hunt servants- on average every hunt requires 15- 20 horses for their use. Every horse eats about 30s. worth of food a week, so hunts are a major source of trade for farmers.
May 1st 1920
May 8th 1920 Advert: D Mason and Sons actual makers of suitcases, blouse cases… footballs etc etc
May 22nd 1920
p.4 Leatherworkers in B`ham and district have put in a demand for a 44 hour week and an increase in wages. Union requested an additional 1s. 5d. to 2s. per hour for men, and 1s. 6d. per hour for women. Another union asked for the same amount for men but only 1s. per hour extra for women. Also request for a week`s paid holiday in summer, and overtime to be paid at the rate of time and a half. Employers have rejected the demands, and there is talk of a strike.
June 5th 1920
p.3 Discussion about the future of the horse. Many private individuals have given up horses in favour of motor cars. For long distance haulage too the horse is less suitable. But in other areas the horse remains the most economic option eg short distances, anything under 3 miles. The railway companies are still major users of horses too.
p.44 advert for J Withers and Son Ltd, Wisemore Walsall. Est. 80 years. Manufacturers of every description of harness, collars, saddles, harness mountings, spurs, bits, stirrups etc.
Jan 1st 1921 Trade slump. High hopes of post- war recovery have been dashed. “Trade has never been worse- at all events within memory- than it has been during the past few months…1920 has been a failure.”
Ad for Varney Pledge and Sons of Station Street,Walsall, whip mfr.
One page ad for J.Salter and Sons of Aldershot, the “largest exporter of polo accessories”
One page ad for Swaine and Adeney, by appointment to the King.
June 4th 1921 One page ad for HSThacker of Walsall MBC Full page ad for Jabez Cliff and Co, for footballs Ad. for the Equine Album p.25 The business of repairing old pit collars. Potentially lucrative, a man can earn £5.00 per week doing this work. Full page ad for E Lloyd, footballs, Wednesbury Road, Walsall
June 18th 1921 Mr W H Brookes of Fern Leigh Walsall [Mellish Road] head of the firm WHBrookes and Son [saddlery and harness] left estate valued at £20,135, net personalty of £18,400.
Back page- ad for JHHawkins, showing footballs and leggings. “Proprietors of Hampson and Scott, Nicklin and Nicklin, BG Cope and Co).
Sept 10th 1921
Ad for D Mason and Son showing carriage lamps. Footballs- ads for JH Hawkins and E Lloyd of Walsall.
Dec 3rd 1921
Report of HM Inspector of Mines: 67,748 pit ponies in use, more than in previous year.
Ad for D Mason- footballs. Leggings, sports bags etc Whole page ad , Jabez Cliff and Co- footballs. p.39 Ad for Leckie`s footballs- the “Rush-All” football.
1922
11th Feb 1922 Inside back cover-Ad for Kirbys- `pneumatic egg boxes` and `chicken boxes for sending chickens by rail`.
April 1st 1922
One page advert for HS Thacker [loriners]. 1922 season, every requisite for May Day parades, horse shows etc face pieces, knobs for hames, rosettes etc,
Death of Mr Mathew Harvey of Beaulieu, Shoal Hill, Cannock, managing director of Messrs Matthew Harvey and Co, saddlery hardware mfrs, left estate valued at £42,014
Bankruptcy of GW Houghton of Essex Street Walsall.
p.10, Employment very slack in Walsall in saddlery and harness and horse collar trades, with much short time. Very slack in Birmingham also.
p.13 One page ad of Swaine and Adeney whips.
Small ad for S Beebee and Sons, saddlers ironmongers, 101 Persehouse Street.
Feature about two of Jabez Cliff`s commercial travellers, with photos. Account of a trip to Australia by Mrs E Rodehouse. On arrival in May 1902 found the saddlers` shop windows to be dominated by sports goods “in the cities, as in our own country, the window displays comprised almost everything to be used in sports and pastimes, there being seemingly little done in the legitimate trade goods”. Country saddlers in the outlying districts have to turn their hand to making pretty much anything in the way of leathergoods.
British Industries Fair. Exhibitors:
• John Leckie and Co
• D Mason and Sons. Makers of bags for all purposes- school bags, music cases, the “bread and butter” of saddlers. Also reporting a “reviving demand” for saddlery and harness.
June 3rd 1922
One page advert for HS Thacker
Employment for saddlers and harnessmakers continues slack in Walsall. Short time general in most trades, Reports from union indicates that 11.2 % of members unemployed.
p.11 One page advert for D Mason and Sons, the `Wisemore Cantleless Saddle`
p.16 one page ad for Jabez Cliff, showing 5 types of football.
JH Hawkins ad, proprietors of Hampson and Scott, Nicklin and Nicklin, BG Cope, etc
July 1st 1922
One page advert for Sidney Russell, Wednesbury Road Works, Walsall. Riding saddles, bridles etc also Russell Globe Cycles, a good quality cheap cycle, illustrated.
Sept 9th 1922
Patents-provisional D Power and Sons, golf bags, no 19871
Small ads, H Bednall, 55 Sutton Crescent Walsall, high class saddles, racing saddles a speciality. Many years experience with Sowters and FV Nicholls of London.
October 7th 1922 p.25 Advert for W Fulford and Co of Lichfield Street, Walsall, with very good engraving of military type fan saddle. Patents: C Lavender, Eldon Works, Walsall, June 1921, design for an attaché case.
Nov 4th 1922 Full page ad for leggings by Sidney Russell, Wednesbury Road Works.
Full page ad for Swaine and Adeney. Hunting crops, hunting canteens, wire nippers, hunting horns
Advert for T Kirby and Sons: “Do You Want Learn How to Make Fancy Leather Goods?”, recently published booklet, price ten shillings.
Advert for Frank Ringrose, p.40
April 28th 1923 The visit of HRH Prince of Wales to Walsall on June 13th .Will be presented with riding saddle, bridle, bit, and spurs.
Small ads p5 – John Stokes and Sons, Victor Works, Northcote Street. `Bulls Head` Cart Hames and Chains.
June 2nd 1923 p.16 ad for Jabez Cliff- `English cup final at Wembley 1923 played with a Jabez Cliff ball`.
p.29, Ad for EJ Parkes, harness makers, bridlecutters and fancy leather workers, Hatherton Works, Walsall. Henry Fox and Sons Strafford Street Walsall, saddler`s tools.
Sat Oct 13th 1923 Oct 20th 1923 Nov 3rd 1923 Dec 8th 1923 1924 Feb 9th 1924 April 12th 1924
June 7th 1924 Ad for Jabez Cliff, improved Globe football, mfrs of footballs, tennis balls, golf bags, hand luggage, riding saddlery, British Empire Exhibition, stand no 566A, section `O`.
July 5th 1924.Death of Mr David Power, aged 78, son of the founder of the firm, Plume Works Walsall, saddlery and leathergooods mfr.
Nov 1st 1924
p.30 bankruptcy of John Blake Barber, currier and leather dresser of Barr Road Aldridge, trading as Britannia Leather Works, Stafford Street, Walsall.
1925
March 7th 1925 Messrs Frank Moseley of Bath Street has taken over business of William Fulford of Lichfield Street. Mr William Fulford will personally supervise the making of the distinctive Fulford saddles. Frank Moseley Limited has made sets of state harness for Eastern markets. Advert on p.29 shows a Fulford Ne-grip race saddle [like a Tod Sloan], “The ideal saddle for modern racing ridden all over the world”.
p.13 Advert for the no 6 harness maker`s sewing machine, made by BUSM Leicester. Can stitch up to ¾ inch thick leather, up to 12 stitches to the inch. By using belt power can stitch 300 stitches per minute.
Patents: EC Windle, Goodall Street Walsall, luggage carriers for vehicles comprising a container suitable for suitcases etc .1923.
The British Industries Fair. The fifth on the site [Castle Bromwich, Birmingham]. Among the stands representing Walsall m`frs: • Walsall Lock and Cart Gear [Neale Street]. Very attractive stand. Dees, spring hooks, cart chains and gears, dog chains, buckles and hames. • Messrs ET Holden and Son [tanners of Park Street], hogskins etc. • Messrs J Pedley of Wolverhampton Street, farm and colliery harness etc.
May 2nd 1925 p.9 Advert for S Beebee and Sons Ltd, 101 Persehouse Street, Walsall. Est over 50 years, saddlers ironmongers and m`frs of harness, riding saddles, bridles etc.
p.2 of sports supplement. Ad for rubber covered cricket balls from Jabez Cliff. Also tennis balls. Ad for the Sidney Russell patent combined motor trunk and carrier, Wednesbury Road, Walsall.
May 9th 1925 Partnership between Samuel Henry Whitehouse and Charles Dace, trading as Harry Whitehouse and Co of Green Lane, Walsall, has been dissolved.
A Threatened Industry. Board of Trade enquiry into the state of the British gloving industry. Statements from various parties arguing that the British industry is suffering form unfair competition and therefore requires protection. Evidence from Mr Bird, manager of Fownes Bros of Worcester. Mr Southcombe of Milborne Port said approx 3500 -4000 out of work in the Yeovil area.
July 4th 1925
Mr H Bednall forced to move premises from Adams Row owing to growth of business. Now at No.1 Fieldgate, office still at no 55 Sutton Crescent
Death of Mr Benjamin Hawkins aged 83 of the firm of JHHawkins. He was the eldest son of the founder of the firm.
August 1st 1925
Death of Mr Frank Moseley of Walsall of the firm of same name, saddler, aged 62. Founded the firm about 40 years ago. He was the eldest son of Mr Henry Moseley, buckle maker.
Aug 22nd 1925 Death of Herbert Smith of Wednesbury Road, Walsall, for over 50 years with the firm of E Smith and Sons of Stafford Street , curriers and leather merchants.
Sept 5th 1925 Death of Mr Henry Christopher Windle late of Brace Windle Blyth and Co export merchants and saddlery manufacturers left estate of £34,751. Legacies of £250 each to the Bluecoat School, Walsall General Hospital etc.
The directors of D Mason and Sons Ltd are transferring all of their Birmingham business to Walsall. From October the whole of the firm`s operations will be conducted from Marsh Street premises, which are modern and extensive.
October 3rd 1925 Sir Edward Holden of ETHolden and Sons leather manufacturers of Walsall reached the age of 94 last week. He still drives to work daily [by horse and carriage]. He has now been actively engaged in the business for over 80 years.
Oct 24th 1925 Nov 7th 1925 p.5 “Car Comforts by Russell”- one page ad for motoring requisites, including a `radiator muff`, tea case for four persons, running board case etc. Sidney Russell Ltd, Wednesbury Road Works Walsall. p.25 ad for Frank Ringrose p.27 Ad for Leckie`s footballs – The `Rush- All` hand sewn football.
Dec 5th 1925 1926
Jan 2nd 1926 Ads for Butler Bros, EJParkes, Frank Ringrose, HSThacker dog requisites, John Leckie and Co, ESmith and Sons, Sidney Russell `makers of fine travel goods since 1863`
Jan 23rd 1926 March 6th 1926 Ad for Butler Bros- the cheapest form of transport for town delivery is still horse drawn p.6 Death of Mr Arthur Greatrex of the firm of Handford Greatrex and Co. tanners and curriers [of Lichfield Street Walsall]. He was 75
Sept 4th 1926
Sept 11th 1926 Sir ET Holden celebrated his 95th birthday yesterday. He still goes daily to the business. Editorial “the saddlery trade may be dying, but it is an unconscionable long time a- dying”. The number of saddlers may be declining but the numbers of makers of cycle and motor cycle saddles, golf bags and footballs are increasing. `Sidelines` are critical to the survival of the trade.
Sept 18th 1926
p.4 Death of Mr Joseph Noake at Rhyl where he has been residing since he retired in 1912. He was over 80.A member of Walsall Town Council for 27 years and an alderman for 10 years. Mayor in 1902 A keen interest in sport and one of the pioneers of football in Walsall.
“He was the mainstay of the old Walsall Town FC., most of the players connected with which were employed by him”.
Dec 18th 1926
Death of Mr.Charles Wincer late of Walsall saddler aged 81. He had retired to Bournemouth abt. 30 years ago
[`Saddlery and Harness` was absorbed into “Leathergoods” magazine c. 1933]