Leader, Robert
History of the Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire in the County of York. Sheffield: Printed by the Authority of the Company of Cutlers, by Pawson & Brailsford, 1905. Folio (2 vols). Parchment-backed green buckram bevelled boards, t.e.g.; all illus as called for.
Peach, L. du Garde
The Company of Cutlers in Hallmshire in the County of York 1906-1956. Sheffield: Printed for the Company by Pawson & Brailsford, 1960. 8vo, white buckram-backed green boards; all illus as called for.
Incorporated in 1624, the Cutlers have the jurisdiction over all knives, blades and similar produced within a 6 mile radius of Hallamshire and by later acts this was extended to related trades - most importantly steelworking in 1860. They still possess the right to veto any UK limited company name containing 'Sheffield'. The history (and it's continuation) form a fascinating look at the development of Sheffield's steel industry and the use of maker's marks, control of rights and rituals of belonging to keep control over what would become major industrial growth in the area.