Connolly Leather 1/2 Hide, for 911 interior, Black

[30westrob]

1/2 hide 6.5’ X 3’ approximately 20sf. Is unused leftover from an F body interior project, with natural grain leather. Connolly provides some of the highlights quality hides for European manufacturers. Approximately 5lbs shipping. $100+, + shipping. RobIMG_2558.jpgIMG_2557.jpgIMG_2556.jpg

[bob joyce]

I would like this please.
I am at zip code 94803.
You can pm me with the final cost and your payment
enjoy
bob

[30westrob]

Leather hide is sold and paid. Thanks Bob

[911MRP]

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Sadly the Connolly Bros. site near Merton Abbey Mills Wimbledon area became flats (apartments) so Connolly leather is no longer being made. One of many changes of use around that immediate area.

Lot of history around there.
Archaeology has shown that Merton was active even in prehistoric times through to Celtic times. The local indigenous Celtic tribes were subdued when the Romans invaded Britain in AD 43. Shortly after they arrived the Romans set about building an important road through the borough called Stane Street. This was a fast overland link between London and the Roman port of Chichester (better known today by petrolheads as the home of Goodwood FoS Revival and Members Meeting car events)

The area grew in significance when Henry I granted the estate to a knight called Gilbert in 1114. Gilbert founded an Augustinian priory in 1117 at the point where the old Roman road crossed the River Wandle. It became nationally important when it was used for royal councils and conferences.

In 1236 Henry III met his Barons at the priory to agree the Statutes of Merton, an important foundation of modern English Common Law. Its principles, including reliance on precedent and judicial interpretation, have been adopted or adapted in many countries, making it a widely recognized legal tradition worldwide.

Merton Abbey Mills takes part of its name from Merton Priory, one of the most important monasteries of the middle ages. Merton Abbey or Priory as it was known, was an Augustinian Priory built in the early 12th century. Henry III’s queen, Eleanor of Provence and King Henry VI were both crowned here whilst Thomas Becket and Walter de Merton (founder of Merton College university of Oxford) were both educated here.

The priory was surrendered to the crown in 1538 during the Dissolution under Henry VIII. Although most of its buildings were demolished, some remain standing today.

Also a corn mill mentioned in Domesday Book of 1086 was replaced in the 18th by a brick built flourmill now standing. There is a fall of water at the back and three mills ran here, two for fulling and one for corn. It was used as a Japan ware works in 18th. It was rebuilt by John Rennie in 1789. In 1800 it became Merton Corn Mills working seven pairs of stones in 1807 and was then owned by James Perry who was a Surrey Iron Railway promoter & owner of 'Morning Chronicle'. Corn was ground here until 1905 when it was converted for leather production.

William Morris was an artist, textile designer, poet & writer, philosopher and social activist. He is largely associated with Britain’s Arts and Craft Movement. Morris moved his textile design and printing company to the site on The River Wandle because the conditions were so perfect for his needs. He was there from 1881 to 1888 and during this time he became increasingly involved in Socialism.
William Morris felt strongly that art could not flourish in a society of ‘commercialism and profit mongering’ and that Socialism was ‘…the only hope of the arts’. Morris carried these values to his work. At the Merton Abbey works he paid his workers higher than average wages, supplied a library for their education, a dormitory for the apprentices and provided work in clean, healthy and pleasant surroundings. William Morris continued to support Socialism until his death.

Liberty Store in the west end of London purchased the site of Merton Abbey Mills in 1904 when most of the buildings were too dilapidated to repair so they were progressively replaced. Even with the new buildings, the process of adaptation and change of use continued over the years, one use following another. Block printing by hand continued at Liberty’s until around 1960 when it was becoming too expensive.

Connolly Brothers Curriers Ltd took over the mill in 1920s. They were Irish boot manufacturers who had bought a business from Williamsons of Canterbury. Connolly developed a process and sold leather upholstery to much of the car trade. They also developed a process for cleaning the leather.

Steve

[bob joyce]

thanks Steve
that was awesome