Cloth Seal, Clothier's Seal, Leeds, York & Sheepshanks Seal
Cloth Seal, Clothier's Seal, Leeds, York & Sheepshanks Seal, Image & Found by Adrian Hayes.
Found in Knaresborough, ?mm.
5358 / 24 scratched // LEEDS, five pointed star YORK & SHEEPSHANSs* around
It seems that the die cutter made the mistake of leaving the K out on this seal. See BSG.CS.00172 for example with complete inscription.
The scratched numbers are probably an order number and the length of cloth in yards.
The following would indicate that they were manufacturers, dyers and finishers of woolen cloth:- Official Catalogue of the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations 1851 includes the following entry on page 75 under "South Side. J Classes 12 & 15. WOOLEN and WORSTED. - 49 YORK & SHEEPSHANKS Leeds, Manu. Dyers, and Finishers. --- Woaded wool black; second woolen cloth. Piece-dyed black,and black medium, and fast dye."
From Wikipedia, "John Sheepshanks (1787–1863), British manufacturer and art collector, was born in Leeds, and became a partner in his father's business as a cloth manufacturer."
From Paul Cannon, "These two references provide the beginning and end of the firm ‘York & Sheepshanks’ ie 1796-1871.
“Leeds, August 4th, 1796. The King having granted his Royal Licence and Authority to Whittell Sheepshanks and his issue, to take and use the name of York, instead of Sheepshanks. Notice is hereby given, that from and after the seventh day of this month, the firm of W. and J. Sheepshanks, Merchants, in Leeds, will be changed to York and Sheepshanks.” [Leeds Intelligencer, 8 August 1796, p1]
“Leeds. Highly important to the home and foreign woollen trade. Great unreserved sale of the first portion of the immense and truly valuable stock of Messrs York & Sheepshanks, Woollen Merchants. Messrs Hepper & Sons are favoured with instructions from Messrs York & Sheepshanks in consequence of the failing health of the surviving partner, to sell by auction, without the slightest reserve, during the month of August next. The first portion of their stock of several thousand ends of cloth. Catalogues, days for viewing and further particulars of this most important sale will appear in future advertisements.” [Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 22 July 1871, p 4]"
