Smyco Tokens

Smyth & Co tokens; As part of it's policy in looking after the 'total family interest' of it's employees Smyth's had a library which would give employees library books on loan. The service was 6 books for one old penny. In today's values this would have been a 2% of the wages of a tradesman, so a considerable sum of money. By this method only the children of the wealthier would be educated while the impression was given that all employee's children would benefit it was priced to ensure this could not happen. Smyco Reading Rooms. Photograph courtesy of David Brangan © 2001 The Smyth & Co label was one of the most important trade marks in the world of Ladies Silk Stocking manufacture. They also made hose for men, tennis socks etc. Nottingham was the centre of the hosiery industry in England and there was a regular trade in skilled people leaving one balbriggan and emigrating to Nottingham and vice versa. Several Balbriggan families have their roots in the English midlands. The reading rooms are featured in one of the images of David Brangan. This all changed about 1900 when Carnegie, the Scottish steel tycoon set up the Carnegie Free Libraries which were available to all.