The Thomas Crapper company wrote me the following after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America:
"Dear John,
To begin, please accept my condolences on behalf of all at Crapper & Co. for the recent outrages in America. Everyone in Britain is deeply shocked and, with the exception of a few militants, the British want to help."
And now; The rest of the Story...
At long last, the Thomas Crapper & Co. Ltd. has taken photographs of some of the antique W.C.s (Water Closets or Loo's) in their collection. The pictures they took are shown below. The history of the real Thomas Crapper follows the pictures. If you can't wait, follow the link above to the history first.
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Closeup of T. Crapper & Co. Manhole Cover. Similar to those in Westminster Abbey, Sandringham, Buckingham Palace, etc.
Photo from Thomas Crapper & Co. Ltd.
The Stable Yard, Alscot Park, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England
Used by permission |
T. Crapper & Co. Manhole Cover. Similar to those in Westminster Abbey, Sandringham, Buckingham Palace, etc
Photo from Thomas Crapper & Co. Ltd.
The Stable Yard, Alscot Park, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England
Used by permission |
Earth Closet by 'Moule's Patent Earth Closet Co.' (Revd. Henry Moule, inventor of the E.C. in 1860.)
Photo from Thomas Crapper & Co. Ltd.
The Stable Yard, Alscot Park, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England
Used by permission |
Closeup of the Earth Closet
Photo from Thomas Crapper & Co. Ltd.
The Stable Yard, Alscot Park, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England
Used by permission |
Earth Closet pail. Containing earth. (And that's all!)
Photo from Thomas Crapper & Co. Ltd.
The Stable Yard, Alscot Park, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England
Used by permission |
Valve Closet. "Ediros" by John Bolding & Sons, London. c. 1890.
Photo from Thomas Crapper & Co. Ltd.
The Stable Yard, Alscot Park, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England
Used by permission |
'The Clencher' (!) by John Duckett & Son, of Burnley, Lancashire.
Photo from Thomas Crapper & Co. Ltd.
The Stable Yard, Alscot Park, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England
Used by permission |
'The Closet of the Century' by George Jennings & Co., Lambeth, London. 1900.
Photo from Thomas Crapper & Co. Ltd.
The Stable Yard, Alscot Park, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England
Used by permission |
'Carlford' syphonic loo by Shanks & Co. of Barrhead, Scotland. 1930's. Removed from the Gents in Harrod's department store, Knightsbridge, London.
Photo from Thomas Crapper & Co. Ltd.
The Stable Yard, Alscot Park, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England
Used by permission |
'Patent Syphonic Closet' by Shanks & Co. 1895. Polychrome transfer decoration
Photo from Thomas Crapper & Co. Ltd.
The Stable Yard, Alscot Park, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England
Used by permission |
'The Progress' by Johnson Bros. of Hanley, Staffordshire. 1898. Brown transfer (monochrome) decoration.
Photo from Thomas Crapper & Co. Ltd.
The Stable Yard, Alscot Park, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England
Used by permission |
'The Dolphin'. Made in Britain, normally attributed to Edward Johns & Co., of Armitage, Staffordshire. However, it may have been produced by another firm in the North of England. Research is underway.
Photo from Thomas Crapper & Co. Ltd.
The Stable Yard, Alscot Park, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England
Used by permission |
'The Dolphin'. Made in Britain, normally attributed to Edward Johns & Co., of Armitage, Staffordshire. However, it may have been produced by another firm in the North of England. Research is underway.
Photo from Thomas Crapper & Co. Ltd.
The Stable Yard, Alscot Park, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England
Used by permission |
'The Laurel' by S. Gratrix Junior and Brother, Ltd., of Manchester. 1896.
Photo from Thomas Crapper & Co. Ltd.
The Stable Yard, Alscot Park, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England
Used by permission |
8.1.4. Valveless Waste Preventer' by Thomas Crapper & Co. of Chelsea, London. 1900.
Photo from Thomas Crapper & Co. Ltd.
The Stable Yard, Alscot Park, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England
Used by permission |
'The Unitas' by Twyfords, c. 1886.
Photo from Thomas Crapper & Co. Ltd.
The Stable Yard, Alscot Park, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England
Used by permission |
'The Puritas' by Johnson Bros. of Hanley. Brown transfers with hand-painted colours. 1894.
Photo from Thomas Crapper & Co. Ltd.
The Stable Yard, Alscot Park, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England
Used by permission |
'The Cairo' (sometimes badged as 'The Excelsior'), c. 1890.
Photo from Thomas Crapper & Co. Ltd.
The Stable Yard, Alscot Park, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England
Used by permission |
Let me begin by publicly thanking the Thomas Crapper & Co. Ltd. in England for supplying me with some samples of their fine bathroom preparations including hair shampoo, foaming bath, soap, metal polish, toilet paper and more. They had to pay duty to ship it to me and I really appreciate it. You couldn't believe my surprise when I found out that the Thomas Crapper company is alive and well in England. They are reproducing many of the original products. Here are a few of the items they are selling:
Valveless Water Waste Preventer
Lavatory Basins
Pedestal Wash-down Closet (The Venerable)
Cistern Pull
Ornamental Brackets for Wash-hand Basins, Closet Seats and Cisterns
'Throne' Wooden Seats for W.C.s.
Flashpipe and Clips
Lavatory Fittings including spigots
Low-Level Cisterns
'Oval' Wooden Seats for W.C.s.
Bathroom Preparations (mentioned earlier)
Useful Requisites such as Towels, Metal Polish and Bathroom Tissue
And now a brief history of the company;
Thomas Crapper was born in Yorkshire in 1836, into a family of modest means. At 14 years of age he was apprenticed to a Master Plumber in Chelsea, London. After serving his apprenticeship and then working as a journeyman, he set up in his own right in 1861 as a plumber in Robert Street, Chelsea.
Subsequently in 1866 he transferred his business to Marlboro' Works, in nearby Marlborough Road. He quickly gained a fine reputation for quality and service; the company expanded and by 1907 had established a flagship store on the King's Road, opposite Royal Avenue.
It is popularly thought that Mr. Crapper invented the W.C., and that the vulgar word for faeces is a derivative of his name, but neither of these beliefs have been proven. Many etymologists however, do attest that the American word, "crapper", for the W.C. can be directly attributed to his fame. It is certainly true that he relentlessly promoted sanitary fittings to a somewhat dirty and sceptical world and championed the 'water-waste-preventing cistern syphon' in particular. Indeed, the expansion into the Kings Road shop, in one of the most important roads in London, was a bold step which brought sanitaryware out in the open for all to see. This caused quite a stir and it is said that ladies observing the china bowls in the windows became faint at this shocking sight!
Mr. Crapper's inventiveness was well known; he registered a number of patents, one for example being the "Disconnecting Trap" which became an essential underground drains fitting for domestic properties. This was a great leap forward in the campaign against disease.
By the 1880's, Crapper & Co.'s reputation was such that he was invited to supply plumbing and ware to Edward VII (when Prince of Wales) at Sandringham and some of the drainage for Westminster Abbey. Both sites still possess Crapper products; the Crapper manhole covers in the Abbey are popular for brass rubbings! Crapper & Co. remained by Royal Appointment to Edward when he became King and was also warranted by George V, as Prince of Wales and again as King.
Thomas Crapper died in 1910 and is buried near the grave of the cricketer, W.G.Grace, in Elmer's End Cemetary. The company continued under the guidance of his old partner Robert M. Wharam, his son Robert G. Wharam and Mr. Crapper's nephew George Crapper. However, by the late 1950's it was evident to Robert G. Wharam that with no Crappers or Wharams left to run the business, the sale of the company was becoming inevitable. In addition, perhaps people cared little for quality and tradition during that period. In 1963 came the end of an era - the sale to a rival firm - and by 1966 T.C. and Co.Ltd. had ceased trading as a separate company.
Since then this distinguished firm endured fallow years - BUT HAS SURVIVED - and is now an independant company once again. Having held four royal warrants and having existed through five reigns over 139 years, Thomas Crapper & Co. is once again manufacturing the finest bathroom fittings.
To contact the Thomas Crapper & Company, use the following information:
Thos. Crapper & Co.
Tel.: +44 (0) 1789-450 522.
Fax: +44 (0) 1789-450 523.
Send Email!
Check out their Web Site!
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This Home Page was created on October 2, 2001
Most recent revision August 15, 2005 |
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