ABSTRACT
Throughout Western Europe, preceding the period of factory industrialization, the putting-out or Verlag-system was characterized by the complex set of economical, social and cultural relationships which tied putting-out merchants, master artisans and workers close to each other. The author mainly deals with the institution of social drinking. To some extent this critically important practice in many craft communities can certainly be regarded as an institution for communication and self-expression. He aims to place the drinking behaviour of the common Eskilstuna metal artisan within a specific cultural setting. That drinking was tied to other 'bad habits' and can only be seen in connection with those was also pointed out by the moral reformers themselves. The author argues that cultural practices in communities dominated by strong putting-out forms of organization were permeated by conflicts about markets and marketing.
