Extracts from Saddlery and Harness, “The Recognised Organ of the English Saddlery Trade” `Saddlery and Harness` was a monthly trade journal published by T.Kirby and Sons of Bradford Street, Walsall from July 1891 onwards. Its stated aim was to become “ the authorised and duly- acknowledged organ of the Saddlery and Harness Trades, which, although of universal extent, are admitted to have their chief seat in Walsall; at the same time attention will be given to the claims of other manufacturing centres.” In this it was successful: it quickly became the accepted journal of the trade, and despite a strong bias towards Walsall it regularly included articles about other centres of the trade, and letters from saddlers thoughout the country. During the period 1899-1910 two major developments dominated the Journal. The first, the progress of the motor car and its impact on the various horse- related trades, is a recurring theme throughout the period. The second major event, the Boer War and its immediate aftermath, dominates the years between 1899 -1903. Unfortunately the Leather Museum`s run of `Saddlery and Harness` is incomplete for this period. These extracts also include notes made from copies of the Journal preserved at Walsall Local History Centre (these are indicated by the initials `WLHC`). Jan. 1899 p.7 Brace Windle Blyth and Co, riding saddle manufacturers, harness makers, bridle cutters and general saddler`s ironmongers have purchased the old est. firm of Charles Mansell, 96 Lionel Street, Birmingham. p.7 Ad for John Hawley and Co, mfrs of ropes, twines, and waterproof oil canvas, halters, plough reins, tarred threads, saddlers hemps, whip cords, bus aprons, cab cloths, stable clothing etc. Goodall Street, Walsall. p. 9 Messrs R Loveday and Sons collar mfrs of Islip, Thrapston and Algernon Street Walsall, splendid display of collars at a recent Walsall Trades Industrial Exhibition. p.11 article re Messrs Adams Brothers of Crewkerne in Somerset. Notes that the tanning industry has largely relocated from the West of England to the North. The tannery was est. 50 years ago. Use only the finest hides and pure English oak bark. The currying part of the business is carried out in a building over 100 feet long, heated by steam pipes and the air circulated by a fan. All the machinery is driven by a Tangye engine. Entire process of tanning and currying takes over a year [cf Handford Greatrex, 13 months]. The dressing takes place on marble tables, the old mahogany tables having been superseded. p.18 review of the past year`s trade. Harness trade has been good, but the brown saddle trade has been very slack for practically the whole year. Many workmen on short time or out of work. Partly due to the rise of the cycle trade - one rarely sees professional or other gentlemen on horseback, as used to be the case. Walsall saddlers have been slack in taking up the cycle saddle trade. However purse, pocket book makers and the fancy leather trades have been busy all year. p.22 ad for B. Cope`s patent safety stirrup p.22 ad for Hawley and Smith, Hall Lane Works, Walsall, `saddlery brush manufacturers` p.27 Ad for Kirkpatrick and Co of Walsall, mfrs of harness room fittings. Interleaf: one page advert for Overton and Cos. horse clippers, one page Messrs Hampson and Scott, “all our harness is hand sewn, except patent leather parts on cheapest sets”. p.43 One page illustrated advert for Webb Ltd 18-20 Hurst Street East, Birmingham. Mfrs of every description of bags, leggings, footballs, gun cases, school satchels, money belts etc. p.44 half page ad. for Joseph A Barnsby, army contractor, wholesale brown saddler,135-136 Lichfield Street, Walsall. Nice quality line engravings of saddles incl. side saddle. p.40 Messrs R Dewsbury and Sons of Cross Street Harness Works, Walsall. Business founded 25 years ago. Advert p. 56 `makers of the Glenstrathfarrar deer saddle`. Sept. 1900 p.2 One page illustrated advert for Hampson and Scott, Clarence Works, Walsall. Horse clippers and lamps, including regulation County Council lamps. Report of the Trade. Trade exceptionally good, the war in South Africa undoubtedly the main cause. The price of labour has increased. This has had a damaging effect on exports to other countries, as prices have increased. Likewise the home market, often difficult to secure supplies of goods [as mfrs concentrating on goods for S Africa]. p.6 War Office tenders invited for 10,000 horse collars, 20,000 leather aprons, toolbags and cases, and regular saddlery and harness. Quantities so great that the Woolwich Dockyard (where munitions are inspected) is having to be reorganised. The ships which have been used for the purpose for last 160 years are being removed. p.8 Death of Mr Charles Mountfort, saddler`s ironmonger of Walsall. Business is to be continued under the management of James Beebee for the benefit of Mountfort`s widow and children. p.11 State of Trade [Boer War] Birmingham. Business good. Messrs Middlemore and Lamplugh much engaged in War Office work, incl artillery harness, saddle flaps etc Walsall, “this town which may, without boast, be considered the saddlery metropolis of the world” has not seen such prosperity since the Franco- Prussian war of 30 years ago [1870- 71]. The home trade has had to be neglected. Everyone has been working up to full strength since last October. Several firms are extending their premises. Enormous wages are being achieved by journeymen, and many people have been attracted to the town as a result. Messrs Hampson and Scott making a large extension to their works. Main problem has been finding enough hands to carry out the work. Their new illustrated catalogue, to be entitled the `Equine Album`, was on the eve of being issued, but the firm wish to add additional pages so there may be a delay of a month or two. “We can safely say we have never seen a more complete work”. Messrs JABarnsby have been working overtime since last October, and have enough orders to keep them busy until Christmas. Trade both at home and abroad is `exceptionally brisk`. Messrs Leckie has had a great rush of orders since last October as a result of the Boer war. Trade has slackened a little, but still very busy. Messrs R Craddock and Sons of Wisemore, bridle bit mfrs, have been at it `hammer and tongs` to cope with War Office orders. They are now catching up on arrears of normal business. Ditto T Cresswell of Pool Street. p.13 Ad for Nicklin and Schofield harness mfrs. p.15 Saddle designed by Mr William Christie of Station Street, Walsall, with photos. p.25 Illustrations of Mexican saddlery, spurs etc. p.57 One page illustrated ad for William Overton and Co, lamps and clippers. June 1902 (Original at WLHC) Editorial p.3. The prospect of peace in South Africa. 90,000 lives lost, at a cost of £250 million- and this is just on the British side. p.4 Motors Lead to Business. Fears of the motor car have proved groundless. Messrs. ETHolden and Sons doing a considerable quantity of coloured cushion hides for motor cars. The same firm is also doing a lot of military lines especially hogskins for light goods eg leggings, purses and pocket books, as well as saddlery. Fancy japanned leather is being produced for the forthcoming Coronation celebrations. p.6 Mr James Homer has announced that as a consequence of the increase of his business due to the growing demand for his specialities he is compelled to increase his accommodation and has removed to more suitable premises at Mill Lane Saddlery Works, Butts, Walsall. p.6 Mr N Grant Chavasse of Walsall and trading as Latchford and Co, 59 St Martins Lane, London, has just received the Royal Warrant as loriner to HRH the Prince of Wales [the future King George V] . p.17 The Monarch Harness Hame, a combined harness hame and tug patented by Messrs Nicklin and Schofield of Walsall. p.21 Indian letter, Cawnpore, May 5th 1902, sent by JK Urquhart. “Cawnpore is to the Indian saddlery trade what Walsall is to the home. Here we turn out all sorts and conditions of saddlery”. Products include strapping for elephants and camels. The Indian trade has its difficulties. The climate is very bad for leather and it becomes very brittle. p.56 Bits, Forged and Otherwise. Discussions held at the Chamber of Commerce in Walsall to discuss the relative merits of hand forged and cast nickel bits. Contributions from Mr Eglington, Mr A Dewsbury, and Mr Scott. The latter stated that hand forging was a dying art “there was not one- fourth of the number of men employed now as ten years ago, and that one- fourth would diminish and vanish.” Mr Cope, Mr Wheway and Mr Clark also commented. Mr Cope thought that the production of steel bits had diminished as they were slightly more expensive and needed some trouble to keep the metal bright. Bits of other materials on the other hand were non-corrosive, cheap, but unreliable. p.56 Within the last month Walsall firms have received the following orders form the War Office: 31,000 bridles 15,000 breast plates 56,000 girths 34,000 reins 52,000 stirrups 15,500 saddles 28,000 rifle buckets 16,000 horse shoe cases 26,000 head collars “…and other articles” [total 273,500 items] p.59 Wolverhampton Industrial Exhibition Details of exhibitors. Messrs Wm. Overton Ltd of Walsall have a splendid display [photo of it in March issue of S&H] March 1903 (original at WLHC) p.3 Editorial.