This glaring we are assured consists of nothing else than a varnish made of caoutchouc in oil of turpentine or some other oil, and then exposing it to the air until the oil be entirely evaporated. The glaze and polish of that leather is indeed surprisingly fine, and far exceeds any thing of the sort we have seen where the flexibility of the leather is preserved. “A gentleman of the name of Hand in Birmingham, as I am informed, has of late obtained a patent for preparing leather in a certain way that he has discovered, by means of which, leather is said to be rendered perfectly impervious to water, and when soiled, requires only to be wiped with a sponge to restore it to its original lustre.
The Bee describes the new leather finishing method as: The Bee – Or – Literary Weekly Intelligencer Here is a link to read about Hand’s Patent Leather in The Bee, Or, Literary Weekly Intelligencer (Volume 17, page 299). The publication covered all sorts of topics at the time, ranging from news, major events, scientific research, travel stories, and most anything that would be of general interest. That would be a long trip from the USA, though if you’re nearby London, try a visit!Īfter being granted the patent, Hand’s method was discussed, in 1793, in a British publication. I researched and checked for the original patent on the British Library website, though discovered via the Library’s link to a detailed list of all British documents that the patent is only available for viewing, physically, at the British Library in London. Then, in the 1790s, a gentleman named Hand from Birmingham, England (a city in England’s West Midlands region) obtained a patent for preparing leather in such a way that it is water proof. Caoutchouc in liquid form was first available in England, before it reached Europe. Tests and discoveries with the rubber material continued, and it was also referred to as “elastic gum” and “caoutchouc”. In 1770, Joseph Priestley in England observed that the material worked very well for rubbing pencil marks off of paper. Knowledge of rubber began to spread around Europe and England. Then, in 1736, Charles Marie de La Condamine brought samples to France’s leading Scientific Society.
Natural latex from the Hevea tree was first used thousands of years ago by the Olmec civilization in the Mesoamerican region (modern-day Mexico). Patent leather has its roots in, believe it or not, rubber. The history of patent leather spans thousands of years, though the most significant advancements have happened in the last few centuries. Today, it can be made in virtually any color, and is used across all sorts of leather goods including boots, handbags, purses, pants, skirts, costumes, belts, watch bands, hats, backpacks, glasses cases, wallets, and personal accessories. The lower production costs of faux synthetic materials allowed patent leather to surge in popularity in the 1960s. Here is a video that talks through some of the material characteristics. It is sometimes referred to as “enameled leather”. Over time, it has become much more common for it to be made from faux leather with synthetic coatings. Originally, this type of leather was made from natural leather coated in various oils.
The glossy surface is prone to scratches and must be cared for well. The surface is generally water resistant, or water proof, and helps provide durability by protecting the leather underneath.ĭue to it’s shine, patent leather is often used in more formal and dress leather goods including shoes, handbags, and belts. Patent leather is a type of leather characterized by having a very clear, shiny, polished surface. I learned some interesting things about where patent leather came from, how it is made, and even how it got its name. Oils have since been replaced with synthetic materials, and this high-gloss leather is commonly used in shoes, wallets, bags, & accessories. The resulting surface was durable and water resistant. Patent leather originated in the late 1700s when layers of oils were applied to dyed leather, and dried. It adds a classy touch to a wide variety of leather goods. When considering types of leather that are water resistant and have a high-shine, patent leather is often first to mind.
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