Browse Topics
- Arts
- Buildings, Architecture & Monuments
- Business, Trade, Industry & Commerce
- Advertising
- Agriculture & Countryside
- Banks, Finance and Legal Services
- Domestic Service
- Innovation & Inventions
- International Contact & Trade
- Legal Services
- Printing and Publishing
- Shops & Retail
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Trades, Industries & Manufacturing
- Brass Trade
- Button Trade
- Carpet Making
- Ceramics and Pottery Industry
- Charcoal
- Chemical Industry
- Coins and Minting
- Engineering
- Glass Trade
- Gun, Sword and Weapons Trade
- Iron and Metal Trades
- Jewellery, Decorative and Toy Trades
- Mining
- Needle and Fish Hook Trades
- Pewter Industry
- Rope Industry
- Textile Industry
- Tools, Machinery and Equipment
- Unemployment
- Work, Pay & Conditions
- Culture & Diversity
- Events, Celebrations & Disasters
- Health & Medicine
- Religion, Ideas & Beliefs
- Science, Nature and Environment
- Society
- Sport & Leisure
- Transport
Iron and Metal Trades
![3677-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/3677-0-150x150.jpg)
A Pin Maker
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 [Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
![3683-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/3683-0-150x150.jpg)
A Tin Plate Worker
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
![3679-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/3679-0-150x150.jpg)
A Wire Drawer
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 [Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
![4730-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/4730-0-150x150.jpg)
Advertisement: J. Darwen and Son, Saddlers, Harness Makers, Bridle Cutters, etc, Birmingham
Image from: William Hawkes Smith, Birmingham and its Vicinity as a Manufacturing and Commercial District (London and Birmingham, 1836), Local… read more »
![2913-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2913-0-150x150.jpg)
Adverts for John Yates & Sons, Birmingham
Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
![2964-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2964-0-150x150.jpg)
Alfred Harrop and Co, Orange Street Works, Sheffield
The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
![5229-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/5229-0-150x150.jpg)
Biography of Dud Dudley
Image: Front page of Dud Dudley’s Metallum Martis (Reprint of 1665 edition) Text: Malcolm Dick Image from: Local Studies and History, Birmingham… read more »
![2991-1](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2991-1-150x150.jpg)
Birmingham
Image: John Rubery, Umbrella, Parasol, Furniture and Steel Frame Manufacturer, Birmingham Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men… read more »
![2896-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2896-0-150x150.jpg)
Birmingham
Image: Hinks, Wells & Co, Steel Pen Manufacturers, Buckingham Street Pen Works, Birmingham Image from: The New Illustrated Directory… read more »
![2934-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2934-0-150x150.jpg)
Birmingham
Image: William Spurrier, Electro Silver Plate Manufacturer, Birmingham Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of… read more »
![205-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/205-0-150x150.jpg)
Birmingham: “The Toyshop of Europe”
Image: Matthew Boulton by C F Von Breda, 1792. Oil on Canvas. Boulton was the most famous of Birmingham’s… read more »
![2903-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2903-0-150x150.jpg)
Britannia Railway Carriage Works, Birmingham
Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
![3079-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/3079-0-150x150.jpg)
Carpenter and Tildesley, Patent Lock and Curry Comb Manufacturers, Willenhall
Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
![4247-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/4247-0-150x150.jpg)
Catherine the Great and her non-visit to Soho House
Image: Death of Catherine the Great. Double-headed eagle and bust of the monarch. 1796. Designed by Conrad Heinrich… read more »
![4247-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/4247-0-150x150.jpg)
![4247-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/4247-0-150x150.jpg)
![4247-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/4247-0-150x150.jpg)
Catherine the Great’s Medals
Image: Death of Catherine the Great. Double-headed eagle and bust of the monarch. 1796. Designed by Conrad Heinrich… read more »
![4451-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/4451-0-150x150.jpg)
![4451-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/4451-0-150x150.jpg)
Droz Segmental Collar
At his Soho Mint, Matthew Boulton pioneered the striking of coins within collars, thus ensuring a uniformity… read more »
![2542-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2542-0-150x150.jpg)
![2542-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2542-0-150x150.jpg)
Edge-Hill: a Poem, in four Books
Image: Coal and Iron Pit. The Useful Arts and Manufacturers of Great Britain of Great Britain Vol. 2 (London, SPCK,… read more »
![3366-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/3366-0-150x150.jpg)
![3366-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/3366-0-150x150.jpg)
Francis B. Oberton, Coach and Saddler’s Ironmonger, Walsall
Advertisement, Men and Things of Modern England… The New Illustrated Directory… (Birmingham, M Billing, 1856)
![2986-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2986-0-150x150.jpg)
![2986-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2986-0-150x150.jpg)
George Dowler, Medallist and Die Sinker, Birmingham
Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
![4603-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/4603-0-150x150.jpg)
![4603-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/4603-0-150x150.jpg)
Hallmarking and the Work of Birmingham Assay Office
Image: Boulton and Fothergill Forks and Spoons showing Hallmarks for 1774 Image from: Birmingham Assay Office On 31 August… read more »
![2966-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2966-0-150x150.jpg)
![2966-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2966-0-150x150.jpg)
Harrop and Hague, Norfolk Street, Sheffield
Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
![3082-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/3082-0-150x150.jpg)
![3082-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/3082-0-150x150.jpg)
Hart’s Patent Economizing Gas Burner, London
Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
![2904-1](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2904-1-150x150.jpg)
![2904-1](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2904-1-150x150.jpg)
Interior of Britannia Railway Carriage and Wagon Works
Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
![2956-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2956-0-150x150.jpg)
![2956-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2956-0-150x150.jpg)
James Dixon and Sons, Sheffield Plated Wares
The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
![3078-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/3078-0-150x150.jpg)
![3078-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/3078-0-150x150.jpg)
James Haywood, Jun, Phoenix Foundry and Engineering Works, Derby
Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
![2939-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2939-0-150x150.jpg)
![2939-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2939-0-150x150.jpg)
John & Samuel Roberts, Swan and Small Heath Foundries, West Bromwich
The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
![2902-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2902-0-150x150.jpg)
![2902-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2902-0-150x150.jpg)
John Dawes & Sons, Bromford Iron Works, West Bromwich
Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
![2930-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2930-0-150x150.jpg)
![2930-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2930-0-150x150.jpg)
John Mitchell, Metallic Pens and Pen Holders, Birmingham
Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
![2914-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2914-0-150x150.jpg)
![2914-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2914-0-150x150.jpg)
John Yates & Sons, Patent Electro Plate Works, Birmingham
Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858 ELECTRO-PLATING The art of… read more »
![2925-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2925-0-150x150.jpg)
![2925-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2925-0-150x150.jpg)
Joseph Gillott, Metallic Pen Maker, Birmingham
Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858 STEEL PENS The Steel… read more »
![4276-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/4276-0-150x150.jpg)
![4276-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/4276-0-150x150.jpg)
Joseph Priestley and his Influence on Education in Birmingham
Image: Penny featuring a bust of Joseph Priestley on one side, and on the other side an apparatus… read more »
![4605-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/4605-0-150x150.jpg)
![4605-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/4605-0-150x150.jpg)
Matthew Boulton and Silver Making
Image: Sweetmeat Basket, Boulton & Fothergill, 1774 This basket was possibly designed by Robert Adam. The body is… read more »
![4249-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/4249-01-150x150.jpg)
![4249-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/4249-01-150x150.jpg)
Matthew Boulton’s Medals and Coins on Russian Subjects
Image: Medallion of the Hudson’s Bay Company. 1820. Designed by Conrad Heinrich Kuchler. An example of the high… read more »
![3733-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/3733-0-150x150.jpg)
![3733-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/3733-0-150x150.jpg)
Matthew Boulton’s Soho Works, Iron Foundry and House at Soho near Birmingham, 1801
Stebbing Shaw’s The History and Antiquities of Staffordshire (1798 and 1801) is a major source not only for the… read more »
![3053-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/3053-0-150x150.jpg)
![3053-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/3053-0-150x150.jpg)
Matthew Harvey, Malleable Iron Founder, Walsall
The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
![4258-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/4258-0-150x150.jpg)
![4258-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/4258-0-150x150.jpg)
Medals and Coins of Alexander I
Image: Medallion of Alexander I, Emperor of all the Russias. 1812. Image from: Birmingham Assay Office (256) The coronation… read more »
![3080-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/3080-0-150x150.jpg)
![3080-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/3080-0-150x150.jpg)
Metal Rolling
Image: Charles Clifford, Rolling Mills, Birmingham Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England,… read more »
![2928-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2928-0-150x150.jpg)
![2928-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2928-0-150x150.jpg)
Metallic Bedsteads
Image: Richard and Edward Peyton, Brass and Iron Bedsteads, Birmingham Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and… read more »
![2961-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2961-0-150x150.jpg)
![2961-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2961-0-150x150.jpg)
P. Aitchison and Co, Brass Founders, Sheffield
The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
![3962-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/3962-0-150x150.jpg)
![3962-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/3962-0-150x150.jpg)
Pair of shoe buckles
These silver buckles have an embossed design and are fitted with steel latchets or fasteners.
![3055-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/3055-0-150x150.jpg)
![3055-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/3055-0-150x150.jpg)
R. F. Sturges, Manufacturer of Electro Silver Plated Wares, Birmingham
Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858 Electro-Plating The origin of… read more »
![3953-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/3953-02-150x150.jpg)
![3953-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/3953-02-150x150.jpg)
Silversmiths and Silverware in late 18th and early 19th century Birmingham
Image: Silver caddy spoon, probably by Samuel Pemberton, c.1800. The delicate design is created by a filigree technique… read more »
![3975-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/3975-01-150x150.jpg)
![3975-0](https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/3975-01-150x150.jpg)
Snuff Box
Inside view of Tortoiseshell snuff box, which is particularly suitable for piqué work (inlaid gold) with its… read more »