Leather is one of mankind’s oldest natural resources. Leather is a foremost gift to man from Mother Nature. Without it man might not have survived. There is vivid evidence of its outstanding importance dating back across the centuries of civilization; back beyond the birth of our nation to the cultures of 18th century Europe and on back beyond the era of the domination of the Romans.

Modern archaeology has uncovered leather articles and artifacts from cultures dating back over 33 centuries and found them to be in an excellent state of preservation.

Man’s dependency and appreciation of leather coupled with his instinctive drive to improve upon the beauty of nature led him to practice creative artistry using leather as a media or raw material. From the fashioning of crude protective footwear to the creation of unbelievably beautiful articles of great utility, human beings have reaped a great harvest of benefit and pleasure from leather.

For many centuries leather craftsmanship was limited to a very narrow section of society. Leather guildsmen were a secretive lot and knowledge of the art was closely guarded and handed down father to son.

When Cortez conquered Mexico in the early 16th Century, leather artistry came boldly into the New World. The Conquistadors brought horses and with them came the need for saddles and other horse gear. Spain had long been a leader in leather artistry and the skilled craftsmen who came over to the new land coupled their vast knowledge with the inspiration they gleaned from the beautiful floral patterns to be found all about them. Thus came the transition from the basic geometric designs dating back to medieval times to the sweeping floral patterns of our modern leather artistry.

In order to develop the outstanding qualities of long lasting durability and beauty, nature must subject the animal from which the leather is to come to an environment of some adversity and radically changing climatic conditions.

High quality in genuine leather cannot be judged by graphic or surface appearance alone. More important to the finished product fashioned from leather is the structural or inner strength and consistency.

The natural range markings on the surface of leather are the best proof that it is real leather. A large part of the pride and fulfillment we derive from the carving and stamping of leather comes from our improvement upon nature’s work.

As a modern leather craftsman you derive the pleasure and profit from a rich heritage. No other craft activity offers the advantages and creative fulfillment available through leather craft.