JAMES ROBB was born in 1840 at Maybole Ayrshire, Scotland, the land of the immortal Burns, of whose works Mr. Robb was a great admirer. He was in business in Elizabeth street for over 50 years. His first shop he opened (c1865) was opposite Messrs. C. Davis and Son, Ltd, then he removed in about 1880 to the premises at 35 Elizabeth Street, Hobart.

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Mr Robb was way ahead of his time with respect to the design of the Australian stock saddle. The Tasmanian Times reported in December 1868, of the refined design he was now making compared to the heavy and cumbersome saddles being offered to the colonial man on the land. The paper stated:

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ANOTHER COLONIAL MANUFACTURE.—Some remarkably well-made saddles at the saddler's shop near Mr. Weaver's, Elizabeth-street,, attracted our attention yesterday, and on inspecting them and making some inquiries of Mr. James Robb, the manager of the establishment, we found that they were of colonial manufacture, and Mr. Robb obligingly showed us over his establishment. It appears that Mr. Robb has for some few months past devoted his attention to the manufacture of saddles from colonial leather and materials. The style of the saddle is entirely new to the colony, but it is taken from the most approved pattern as found to suit in France and England. It differs greatly from the old style of imported saddle, which was large, heavy, and cumbersome. Those of Mr. Robb's make are remarkable for their small waist—affording a better grip of the knees—and their comfortable seat. They are also provided with comfortable knee-pads. It would seem almost impossible for the most inexperienced horseman to be thrown out of these saddles. With these recommendations in their favour for the comfort of the rider, the convenience of the horse is also consulted by a decrease in the weight he has to carry, a well-padded and firm saddle being placed on his back, instead of the old-fashioned, galling pieces of furniture of old. With the exception of the saddle-trees and the pigskin for the seat, the whole of the work is of colonial production, the leather for the flaps and lining having been specially prepared by Mr. Elliott to the order of Mr. Robb. Mr. Robb has already been largely patronised, and we would recommend our country and sporting friends who require a good and comfortable saddle for themselves and their horses, to pay Mr. Robb's establishment a visit. Mr. Robb can supply these saddles at a less cost than they can be imported from Melbourne, and there is no doubt that they are a far superior article, combining all the latest improvements .in this branch of trade.

 

The reporter on the Mercury spent some time in James Robb's saddlery shop, on Wednesday 24 July 1878, admiring both the establishment and the goods produced therein:

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COLONIAL MANUFACTURERS -We were yesterday favoured with the opportunity of inspecting at the establishment of Mr James Robb, saddler, Elizabeth Street, some Australian stock saddles manufactured by him, and well worthy of a complimentary notice. His saddles are made of bullock hide, and appear to be finished m a workmanlike manner, the trees being made to order, and the ornamental flowering of the saddles being exquisitely worked with the hand. The plated nails and mounting are the only portions of the work that are not manufactured at Mr Robb’s. We understand an order has just been executed for New Zealand. These useful saddles can be made by Mr Robb at from 3 to 8 pound.

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In December 1906 the Tasmanian News was impressed by both the building and the contents. He reported the following:

In the rush for commercial supremacy in these modern days, what were once regarded as the old landmarks of Hobart to being rapidly demolished and replaced a more up to date building in order to cope with increased trade. But very few of those ancient edifices now remain as emblems of the quaint, and staunch, architecture of early days. Among those is the three storey structure in Elizabeth Street, known throughout the island as James Robb’s saddlery establishment. Among riding men and others connected with harness, it is a household word. Of recent times the competition in this business, as in many others, has become particularly keen, by reason of the fact that since the inception of Federation and the consequent remission of duties on Australian manufactured goods, the market has been literally swamped with the imported article. For the saddlery section in particular, the goods have been placed on the market at a very low figure, and although at the outset there was a brisk demand for the cheaper article, it was soon recognised by the purchasers that what they gained in price was lost in quality. As a natural result of this discovery-sorrowful on their part-they deemed it advisable to pay the price and procure the good article. And those actuated by this desire were well aware that they could do no better than go to Robb's. Here every conceivable article in the saddlery line is procurable. Upon viewing this establishment one's astonishment is that Hobart is possessed of a house so completely stocked, and this eulogium is not likely to decrease as time goes on, as year by year Mr. Robb’s complete establishment becomes still more complete, and entitled to more and more praise. Whether you want a saddle and fancy riding whip for a lady’s palfry, or some heavy harness and a whip to correspond for a heavy cart or plough horse, this is the place where it is to be found. If you are embarking on a journey and desire to travel in comfort, here you can procure rugs of various styles- from the 'furry' character to the genuine Scotch plaid 'traveller'. A visit to the premises and a glance round the main shop, the walls of which are covered with leather goods of almost every conceivable variety and design, is sufficient to convince one of the extent of the business done by this long established firm. There are English and colonial saddles, and English and colonial harness, sponges, grooming combs, brushes, chamois leather harness cleaners, whips of all kinds, light and heavy, plain and fancy—safety stirrups, bridles with patent safety bits, which enable the most cantankerous of equine mouths to be controlled with ease by a child; horse clothing and rugs of various sorts, and other lines innumerable. All those goods are of sterling quality, a feature which is responsible for the wide spread reputation which Mr. Robb’s establishment has long since attained, and which it continues to fully justify.

 

Hobart woke up to read of the demise of a well-known colonial resident. The Examiner on Monday 22 November 1915, reported:

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OBITUARY  -  JAMES ROBB. A well-known figure in the business life of Hobart has been removed by the death of Mr. James Robb. He was a man of quiet, unassuming disposition, who never thrust himself forward in any way, but he had done his part in building up a very sound, solid business. During his long illness he was regularly attended by the Rev. J. B. Rentoul, and was always cheerful and pleased to see his old friends, by whom he will be greatly missed, and whose sympathy is sincerely extended to the widow and deceased's home circle.

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The building at 35 Elizabeth Street was sold in 1918 by the Estate for £12,000.