W
Wendy
Guest
I thought it would be nice for Smith and Pepper to have it's own thread as it is such an important part of the heritage and history of the Jewellery Quarter
For over 80 years the family run business of Smith & Pepper produced jewellery from the factory that is now the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter.
When the elderly family which ran the business of the Smith & Pepper decided to retire in 1981. They tried to sell the business or pass it on to younger family members without any success. They then decided to just ceased trading, locked the door and walked away. In the eighty years before its closure, little changed with the working practices or equipment used within the the business. The council who then took over the building decided to leave it as it was and open it as a museum.
The Museum is a time capsule of the working practices of jewellers in times past. There is so much to take in the books just left as they were, the dies and stamps used for making the jewellery. The workers brown work coats on hooks. The workbenches as they were left.
I can only say it is well worth a visit especially if like me you had family who worked in the jewellery trade.
Some examples of their work.
For over 80 years the family run business of Smith & Pepper produced jewellery from the factory that is now the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter.
When the elderly family which ran the business of the Smith & Pepper decided to retire in 1981. They tried to sell the business or pass it on to younger family members without any success. They then decided to just ceased trading, locked the door and walked away. In the eighty years before its closure, little changed with the working practices or equipment used within the the business. The council who then took over the building decided to leave it as it was and open it as a museum.
The Museum is a time capsule of the working practices of jewellers in times past. There is so much to take in the books just left as they were, the dies and stamps used for making the jewellery. The workers brown work coats on hooks. The workbenches as they were left.
I can only say it is well worth a visit especially if like me you had family who worked in the jewellery trade.
Some examples of their work.
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