262 THE TANNING TRADE OF NEWCASTLE, ETC. 



and supplies sent in from all parts of the country by small tanners, who 

 generally had a few pits in apiece of open ground, and about two or three 

 acres of grass land to fill up vacant time, and on these they managed to 

 get wealthy.* 



The character of the tanning trade in Newcastle has considerably 

 changed of late years. The goods most in favour formerly were dry 

 Russian hides, imported into this port at a cost of from 7§d. to 8d. per 

 pound. These were eagerly bought up by the tanners, and the price 

 realised left them 25 per cent, for manufacture. This trade continued 

 for some time, but Yorkshire enterprise discovered it, and at Leeds 

 most extensive yards, fitted with every known improvement, were laid 

 down. In this way the Leeds tanners succeeded in securing the trade 

 almost exclusively to themselves ; one tanner there alone producing as 

 many tanued hides in one week as the Newcastle tanners could in one 

 month. Thus, gradually, by improvements and perseverance, they, to a 

 great extent, obtained the bulk of this portion of the trade. Owing to 

 the great demand for these Russian hides, and the home consumption 

 increasing at the same time, prices in Russia ran up to 12d. and 14d. 

 per pound, and thus nearly cut off the importation. At these prices the 

 hides yet continue, and they are now scarcely worth the tanner's notice. 

 The substitute has been East India hides ; but here, again, the Leeds 

 men have taken the lead, surpassing us in the rapidity of manufacture 

 and cheapness of production, and securing the greatest portion of the 

 trade to themselves. Newcastle can boast of being at the head of the 

 trade in the manufacture of seal skins, calf skins, and sheep skins ; and 

 it is gratifying to find that although one branch of our trade has changed 

 hands, another, and one perhaps as profitable, has come to its place. 

 A consumption of 163,000 seal skins, 62,124 calf skins, and 46,452 

 sheep skins, in one year, shows that the spirit of leather manufacture has 

 not yet left Newcastle. In the production of this kind of goods I believe 

 our tanners cannot be excelled. 



The products of leather in Newcastle are a mere item in the con- 

 sumption. We have to resort to Bristol, London, Liverpool, &c, &c, 

 for our great supplies. In those places so much attention has been 

 devoted to produce work by the use of other tanning materials than oak 

 bark, as to give them a great advantage over Newcastle, enabling them 

 to supply goods thoroughly in accordance with the requirements of this 

 north country trade. 



On the whole, I think the tanning trade of Newcastle is in a healthy 

 condition, but few improvements or efforts to increase it have of late 

 been made. One remarkable circumstance should be noted in conclu- 



* A singular mode of remitting the proceeds of his leather at Newcastle fair, 

 in 1810, was adopted by a Lancashire man. The amount (2001.) was put into the 

 old sheets which had covered his leather. He dare not carry it, nor would he trust 

 any banker with the remittance, but it arrived safe by carriers' wagons after several 

 days' journey. We are in advance of this in these days. 



