Photographs by Enid Sheldon from the 1980's

Uploaded 24/05/2008

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The Leather Trade

William Barker & Sons Ltd - Tanners and Curriers.
One of the oldest industries on Otley, founded about 1845.
Photos with permission of Mr.B.Barker

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Pinwheel measuring machine


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Shaving machine


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Hydraulic embossing press


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Marsden 10 HP steam engine, runs the whole works for about four hours daily. Installed in 1904


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Leathersplitting thickness machine


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Sammy machine, squeezes out water.


Leather Dressing

Part of the leather dressing process at A. Brown and Sons 
Wash Leather Works – Otley
By kind permission of the Owner. 1985

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Staking,softening by hand


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Staking, softening by machine


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Paring knife removes surpllus flesh from the underside


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Staking machine


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Shaving machine in the foreground removes surplus from the grain side of the skin. Emery wheels,at the rear, for buffing and dust from the process which can be compressed


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Shears for trimming