Launch of our Global Cutlery Search
We are really excited to be launching our global cutlery search for items made here at Portland Works.
In 1914, Portland Works (then known as Mosley’s) became the first place to make stainless steel cutlery. Its “Rusnorstain” cutlery became famous, was exported from Sheffield around the world, featured in international trade shows and was probably carried by families emigrating to the New World. It continued to be made at the Works until the 1960s.
Now Portland Works wants to track those pieces and create a map showing their locations and the journey they have made from the “City of Steel”.
How you can help
“We’d love people to search their cupboards, drawers and lofts to see if they have any items made by RF Mosley or other manufacturers at the time including Alexander Clark, George Gill, William H. Green, John Thomas Johnsons & Sons, Mammett’s or E. Atkinson & Sons Ltd.,” said Dr Chris Corker, business historian, lecturer in management at the University of York and newly appointed chair of Portland Works’ board.
“We’ll be asking them to send us photographs along with any details they may have, such as a name stamp, silver or EPNS marks and anything else about the item’s history. It will be so exciting to see where items made on Randall Street in Sheffield have ended up around the world.”
We plan to collate the location of the cutlery and associated goods uploaded by the general public onto a map that shows the spread of Portland goods across the world.
