Woollen Industry Collection

Saltaire works, c1880. Sir Titus Salt (1803-1876) discovered a method of blending alpaca wool with cotton and silk. He is best remembered as the builder of Saltaire Mill near Bradford, Yorkshire

Edmund Cartwright, printers sample for the Worlds Inventors souvenir album (A25) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes, 1888

The mill at Saltaire, c1880. Sir Titus Salt (1803-1876) discovered a method of blending alpaca wool with cotton and silk. He is best remembered as the builder of Saltaire Mill near Bradford

The Combing Work, c1750(?). Textile workers combing or carding wool

View of Hamilton, Victoria, Australia, c1885. Hamilton developed as an important centre of the Australian wool trade

Shawl weavers, Kashmir, India, c1900s(?). Artist: Underwood & Underwood
Shawl weavers, Kashmir, India, c1900s(?). Stereoscopic card

The Salt statue at Bradford, c1880. Sir Titus Salt (1803-1876) discovered a method of blending alpaca wool with cotton and silk

Samuel Morley, abolitionist, political radical, and statesman, c1890. Artist: Cassell, Petter & Galpin
Samuel Morley, abolitionist, political radical, and statesman, c1890. Morley (1809-1886) was the owner of a large and profitable woollen manufacturing business which employed thousands of workers in

Samuel Morley, MP, industrialist and politician, 1882. Artist: Lock & Whitfield
Samuel Morley, MP, industrialist and politician, 1882. Morley (1809-1886) was the owner of a large and profitable woollen manufacturing business which employed thousands of workers in the East

Tailor, c1845. In the centre the tailor is using a flat iron to press a jacket on an ironing board. At the bottom is a sheep, source of the wool from which the cloth for the jacket was woven

The Sheep, c1850. Artist: Day & Haghe
The Sheep, c1850. The central image is of sheep of the Black Faced breed. Surrounding vignettes show (clockwise from top left)

Titus Salt, British woolstapler and industrialist, c1880. Salt (1803-1876) discovered a method of blending alpaca wool with cotton and silk

Three generations of women, 1814. A cottager is spinning wool, using a simple wheel without treadle, while her mother reels yarn. Her daughter stirs a cast iron pot standing on an open fire

Production of woollen cloth, 1750. Textile workers raising pile and pressing the wool in a screw press

Cropping wool to give an even pile after nap had been raised, 1814. From The Costume of Yorkshire by George Walker. (Leeds, 1814)

Women operatives tending power looms in a Yorkshire woollen mill, 1883

View of Leeds, Yorkshire, early 19th century. The economy of Leeds was based on the wool industry. The citys prosperity was greatly increased in the Industrial Revolution by the construction of

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The woollen industry has a rich history that spans across continents and centuries. In the late 19th century, the Saltaire works stood as a testament to the booming wool trade. The mill at Saltaire, captured in a photograph from around 1880, showcased the grandeur and scale of this industrial revolution. But even before then, pioneers like Edmund Cartwright paved the way for innovation in this field. His printers sample for the Worlds Inventors souvenir album (A25) displayed his ingenuity and creativity. As we delve further into history, we come across glimpses of early techniques such as combing work dating back to approximately 1750. This labor-intensive process was vital in producing high-quality wool products. The influence of the woollen industry extended far beyond Europe. A view of Hamilton, Victoria in Australia circa 1885 reveals how this trade reached distant shores and contributed to global commerce. One cannot discuss wool without mentioning its association with exquisite craftsmanship. Shawl weavers in Kashmir, India during the early 1900s were renowned for their intricate designs and skillful artistry. Underwood & Underwood's photograph captures these talented artisans at work. In Bradford, England - known as an epicenter of textile production - a salt statue stood proudly as a symbol of prosperity during this era. Its presence reflected not only economic success but also cultural significance within the community. Samuel Morley emerges as an influential figure within both political and industrial realms during this time period. As an abolitionist and political radical turned statesman, he left an indelible mark on society through his unwavering dedication to social justice. Another Samuel Morley made significant contributions to politics and industry alike; he served as an MP while excelling as an industrialist during Britain's heyday in textiles manufacturing around 1882 – Lock & Whitfield's portrait immortalizes him amidst his achievements. Throughout history, various individuals played crucial roles in the woollen industry.