Abstract

The summaries of the 1851 Census, published as Parliamentary Papers in 1852 and 1853, provide a useful source for the numbers of people describing themselves as being in the various branches of the leather trade. Northampton and Walsall were of almost no importance so far as tanning was concerned. Northampton was much more important as a centre for currying. Walsall picked up a little, but oniy to 42nd place. The important centres generally were London, the major ports except Southampton, the indus trial West Riding, South Lancashire, and the Birmingham area. There was a fairly even spread at a lower level across the whole country. Parchment Making and Leather Dressing had a much more restricted distribution.