The Ipswich Mint by John C. Sadler, £65 (available at discount price of £30 to Ipswich Society members; please contact the Society’s Hon. Secretary).

I had an interesting conversation with Ipswich numismatist John Sadler earlier this year. John has written three volumes about coins minted in Ipswich, primarily Ipswich pennies. He has established that the Ipswich mint was in operation, not from 973AD as others have suggested, but probably from 200 years earlier. This was during the reign of the relatively unknown Beonna, King of East Anglia, about 758AD. He also confirms that the mint closed in 1207AD, at the end of the reign of King John.

During the reign of Beonna Ipswich was enjoying something of a boom, probably due to its accessibility from the sea – unlike Woodbridge at the head of the meandering River Deben, or Manningtree on the River Stour, which was too shallow – Ipswich was a deep-water port. Ipswich was able to trade, not only with other East Anglia coastal ports but also across the North Sea into the Low Countries. Not surprisingly, Ipswich pennies, minted for over 500 years have been found close to British coastal ports and as far away as southern Norway, Denmark and other Baltic countries.

You will be aware that excavations are taking place at Rendlesham, the probable site of Anglo-Saxon King Redwald’s palace. John Sadler has been dating and valuing the coins from the excavations – with the exception of gold which is sent straight to the British Museum – for the archaeologists since the dig began. Incidentally, John tells me that, broadly speaking, gold coins are not found in Ipswich and this metal was not used at the Ipswich Mint.

Having initially trained as a signwriter, John’s career was spent at Titchmarsh & Goodwin applying lacquer to new furniture. But his hobby was all-invasive and for the last twenty years of his working life he valued coins for Lockdales, the auctioneers in Martlesham and occasionally for other auction houses. John wrote the first of his three volumes: Ipswich Mint; Eadgar to Aethelred II (973-1016) in 2010 and followed this with his second, Cnut the Great to Edward the Confessor (1016-1066). The third and final volume, Edward the Confessor to King John (1066-1207) is a much weightier book at 560 A4 pages which gives an indication of the 50 years of research which has gone into John’s writing  which is illustrated by numerous photographs and John’s excellent drawings.

Each book is a comprehensive catalogue of Ipswich Pennies, also other coins and tokens struck in the town. Probably the most interesting chapters concern the history of Ipswich. Especially the ‘wasting’ of Ipswich by the Normans as well as the Danes in volume III. These books are for the specialist collector, Volumes I and II have sold out and there are only a few of the 250 printed copies of Volume III remaining.

JN

 

Stipple, snuff and no sharp edges: memories of the Ipswich cabinet trade, 1900-2000  

by Heather Ling, (Ipswich Society members’ price £35; please contact the Hon. Secretary).

If ever a book caused me to go ‘Wow’, getting the first site of Heather’s book was it. It is a huge 275 pages of excellent research with photographs of some substantial pieces of furniture and notes on the people who lovingly created them. With chapters on Tibbenham’s, Titchmarsh & Goodwin, Alston’s and R.E.H. Kennedy, it is a comprehensive history of furniture-making in Ipswich through the eyes of the people who made it.

Throughout the twentieth century Ipswich held a reputation as the centre for reproduction cabinet-making; it started with Frederick Tibbenham who set up business at Tudor Court, Woodbridge Road in 1903. Together with his works manager, Ernest Gribble, they created the most prolific reproduction cabinetmaking firm in the world. Don’t be confused by the term ‘reproduction’, Tibbenham’s were making furniture together with the fixtures and fittings (panelled rooms, carved staircases) for some of the country’s most prestigious historic houses, the major London stores (Liberty’s in Regent Street) and hotels as well as the Cunard Liners (Queen Mary & Queen Elizabeth).

Heather has created a comprehensive record of furniture-making in Ipswich using the memories and written records of those who worked in the industry.  To explain the title: Stipple is a finishing technique used, in moderation, to create an ageing effect. Snuff is a tobacco-derived substance used by the Cabinet Makers who were not allowed to smoke in the workshops. No Sharp Edges implies that the clean-cut crisp edges on a newly assembled piece were softened and rounded in the polishing shop, another ageing effect. I was impressed by Heather’s book and recommend it to you. 

JN

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