E.J. PARKES SADDLERY MANUFACTURER

Holtshill, Walsall, England: E.J. Parkes, 1905. A RARE ORIGINAL SADDLERY CATALOGUE. [UNDATED BUT PRE WW1]. Lovely original LITHOGRAPHIC title-page illus. The Holtshill Saddlery factory within an ornate decorative border. Index, 62 full page lithographic plates of the companys stock. Tipped-in to the index page is a printed note stating this is catalogue number 809 [in ink] and remains the property of the company 'and only lent to you'. Most of the pages are in colour and cover all aspects of products from a leather makers output. Saddles, straps, buggy harnesses, heads and reins, dog collars, muzzles, metal bits, harnesses and buckles, tools, brushes, cart hames, saddlers tools etc etc. The boards are original but worn leaving a fine example of a scarce catalgue intect and complete within. A RARE ITEM. No copy traced and no literature relating to E.J. Parkes seems to have survived. The illus. cover depicts a very large business before the first world war and they must have had a busy period during the Great War but Walshall despite being the major city for horse equipment manufacturing lost that status with the advent of cars, lorries and international competition in the 1920s, There are many general traders catalogue of horse related equipment found but manufacturers catalogues are rare and no copy of this catalogue have been traced. Indeed none by the manufacturer appears to have survived. This could have been that the catalogue has a bound in slip printed in red stating 'THIS CATALOGUE in No 809 and and is only lent to you' ...The binding is original hard boards with a plain cloth finish but worn.. Original Ediiton. Boards. V.g.. 4to.