Provincial Pewterers. A study of the craft in the West Midlands and Wales

Notes:

Covers the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries. The writers seek to 'describe the growth and decline of the craft, the history of some of the families who dominated it and the economic circumstances which influenced and surrounded it', acknowledging that 'virtually nothing has been known of the personal lives of the pewterers themselves, or, outside of London, of the social history and practical operation of the craft which supplied essential household utensils to rich and poor alike over four centuries'. The strong focus is on the industry in Birmingham and neighbouring towns, the River Severn trading corridor, and the Welsh border and Wales. Draws extensively on sources such as probate papers and includes many family trees and listings of pewterers. Chapters include: 'Shrewsbury' [pp13-25]; 'Oswestry and Ludlow'[pp26-36]; 'Worcester and Hereford' [pp37-59]; 'Birmingham to c1790, Bewdley and Kidderminster' [pp60-87]; 'Birmingham in the nineteenth century' [pp88-96]; 'Walsall' [pp97-106]; 'Other English towns'; 'Wales' [pp121-33]. Appendices include list of wills, etc, consulted and 'Illustrations of marks'. Also supported by a substantial index to pewterers