Tanneries

Turning the base material into leather is the proper business of tanneries.
(For now I'm keeping that bit as brief as possible), the aimed results are a consistent hide that can be sold and re-ordered and consistently re-ordered. 
On occasion's there is a hide amongst the hundreds/thousands that just stand out above all the rest. It's weight, it's tone and finish on both make it the one,

I have two of those hides and I'm very grateful Tony. He's been holding them back for nearly a year for a personal project so I'm honoured and also feeling a bit of pressure but will do them proper justice.
A photo of leather usually bounces light all the wrong way and never ever gives you any proper sense of its presence/feel but here goes for the love of the blog...

It's an odd feeling, but Merchants and leatherworkers hold onto 'that' hide. Waiting for it's best use. Like a really good bottle of red.