Brass 32mm.  T. SHARPLES  CONCERT ROOM  AND  MUSEUM  STAR INN  CHURCHGATE  BOLTON  Ornaments around.  R. Star within wreath.  W.TB3.643.  Edge bump, otherwise almost VF

Thomas Sharples opened a concert-room at the Millstone Inn in 1832. This was one of the first such concert venues in the UK. In 1840 he moved to the Star Inn.
 Sharples, and his son William, became involved in a battle with the authorities and the misery-mongers of the Temperance movement who tried to close him down by taking away his liquor license. This was only solved when he succeeded in playing off the authorities against the reform groups.