The Great Industrial Exhibition - Dublin 1853
The Great Industrial Exhibition was held in Dublin from May to October 1853. Among the many exhibitors was Ransomes and Sims, whose listing in the catalogue included the following statement:
"R & S having this season arranged for the manufacture of these machines (instead of purchasing them off the Patentees, as heretofore) they are enabled to offer them at the following prices."
This would appear to confirm that Ransomes had not manufactured lawnmowers before 1853. Indeed, in this article the business merely claims to have sold "upwards of fifteen hundred". Up to this point the only reference found in print to Ransomes having manufactured the Budding mower is an isolated appearance in an article from the early 1830s: this is now believed to have been a mistake by the reporter who wrote that article.
There is an intriguing potential ambiguity in the Ransomes and Sims' listing for the Dublin exhibition: the phrase used by them is "arranged for the manufacture". This likely means that the business had agreed with Ferrabee that it could manufacture lawnmowers itself in Ipswich. However, an alternative interpretation could be that the company was subcontracting the manufacture to an unknown third party.
MESSRS.
RANSOMES & SIMS,
ENGINEERS,
AND
AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT
MANUFACTURERS,
IPSWICH.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PATENT LAWN-MOWING MACHINES,
AT
GREATLY REDUCED PRICES.
THE above unique and valuable adjunct to the Pleasure Ground and Garden of the Nobleman or Gentleman, has now stood the test of twenty years' experience, and continues in as high repute as ever. R. & S. have sold upwards of fifteen hundred, which have given universal satisfaction; and it is still in good demand. It is so easy to manage, that persons unpractised in the art of mowing may cut the Grass on Lawns or Pleasure Grounds with ease. It is easily adjusted to out to any length, and the beauty of its operation is, that it leaves no seam, nor any of the cut grass upon the Lawn. Other advantages of this Machine are, that the grass may be cut when dry, and, consequently, it may be used at such hours as are most convenient to the Gardener or Workman; while the expense of mowing is considerably lessened, as more than double the work may be done with the same manual labour that is requisite with the Scythe.
R. & S. having this season arranged for the Manufacture of these Machines (instead of purchasing them off the Patentees, as heretofore), they ere enabled to offer them at the following prices,
viz. :-
£ s. d. Machine to cut 16 inches in width . . 5 15 6 " 19 " . . 6 6 0 " 22 " . . Delivered to any Railway Station or Wharf in London. DISCOUNT, Five per Cent. for Cash, on Receipt of Invoice. Directions for Working are sent with each Machine. R. & S. also supply Sillett's Improved Digging Forks,
Garden Rollers, Cast Iron Borders for Flower
Beds, Labels, Handlights, Ornamental.
Cast Railing, &c., &c.PublicationExhibitionDateSourceGoogle Books/Record of the Great Industrial Exhibition/1853/P12Link