The Tannery
All our leathers are created using traditional methods at our small, highly specialised tannery in Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire — an area with a long tradition of leather and leather goods production.
From here our quality leathers are distributed worldwide to a diverse range of clients who enjoy working with these fine skins.
Centuries-old technique
The production method of these native-tanned goatskins has changed little over the centuries, having been handed down through generations of small-scale farmers who tan the skins of the goats they breed.
The technique relies upon skill and judgement — each skin requiring individual treatment, a process that cannot be replicated by modern production methods.
Natural, locally sourced materials
All the materials used are natural and are sourced locally. The process takes many hours of highly skilled work, and yet only a small fraction of this production — the very best skins — are suitable for the bookbinding market.
As the skins arrive in England, they are again carefully sorted to ensure that only the finest skins are chosen.
Pure vegetable tannage, finished by hand
Our own tannage technique also follows historic tradition, using only Sumac and other materials of pure vegetable origin. The leathers resulting from this process offer the binder a supreme quality tanned skin that emphasises the leather’s natural beauty and grain.
All our goatskins from the Fine Leather Range are aniline dyed and, when dry, are hand polished to draw out the natural grain, creating the superior finish for which we are proud to be renowned.
From skin to skin
- Skins selected from free-range goats bred by small-scale farmers
- Native tanning using Sumac and natural materials
- Careful re-sorting on arrival in England
- Aniline dyeing across our full colour range
- Hand polishing to draw out the natural grain
- Grading and dispatch to binders worldwide