`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.