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Oil leather fulling stocks at leather factory, south London
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Oil leather fulling stocks at leather factory, south London
Oil leather fulling stocks (with heavy wooden hammers, used for producing wash leather or chamois leather) at the Neckinger Mills leather factory, Bermondsey, south London. Date: 1842
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Media ID 23150780
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1840s 1842 Bank Bermondsey Bevington Fulling Heavy Leather Machinery Manufacture Manufacturing Mechanical Mills Operating Process Processing Skin Skins Stocks Neckinger
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph, taken in 1842, offers a glimpse into the intriguing world of leather production at the Neckinger Mills leather factory in Bermondsey, south London during the Victorian era. The image showcases a group of oil leather fulling stocks, an essential part of the leather-making process. The fulling stocks, with their heavy wooden hammers, are used to produce wash leather or chamois leather. The oil leather, soaked in tanning solutions, is placed between the stocks and the hammers, which are then vigorously struck to help soften and shrink the leather, improving its texture and durability. The Neckinger Mills, established in the early 1800s, was a significant player in the leather industry during the 1840s. The factory was renowned for its high-quality leather, produced using traditional methods, which were passed down through generations. The photograph reveals the industrial scale of the operation, with numerous fulling stocks arranged in rows, each one operated by skilled laborers using long, heavy hammers. The machinery and equipment, powered by water from the nearby River Neckinger, were all mechanical, reflecting the era's growing reliance on industrialization and mechanization. The atmosphere in the factory is a blend of the raw, earthy scent of the tannery and the rhythmic clanging of the hammers against the leather. The workers, dressed in heavy clothing to protect themselves from the elements and the chemicals used in the process, are focused on their tasks, creating a sense of purpose and unity. This photograph is a testament to the rich history of the leather industry in south London and the ingenuity of the people who worked in it during the Victorian era.
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