Unravelling the Mystery - The Story of the Goldsmiths' Company in the 20th Century

This set tells the story of the Great Livery companies of the City of London in the twentieth century. The Goldsmiths' Company is one of the oldest of the 100 or so livery companies, and one of only a handful still to be closely involved in the trade around which it was originally founded nearly 700 years ago. It is also fortunate to be one of the wealthiest, largest and most active. The author, a former Clerk of the Company, has been able to consult all the minutes, briefing papers and files which record in great detail the ethos and actions of the Goldsmiths' Company. From his studies, he has set out to unravel the mystery by bringing together the strands of the operations as diverse as the Assay Office, the Company's charities, its Hall and its support for its trade of goldsmithing and silversmithing, particularly the encouragement of better design and craftmanship. The result is a critical review and the author's opinions are strongly held as to the merit and success of the Company's activities.