Plumbing Collection

Trades union membership certificate
A trades union membership certificate for the United Operative Plumbers Association of Great Britain and Ireland, with Defence and Defiance as their motto

Nude from behind (Morning toilet), 1841. Found in the collection of Hirschsprung Collection

Pipes connected to kitchen sink and washing machine

Pipe Laying to Cottages - January 1949
A Cub Priestman Excavator and a labourer with a shovel working on a ditch. George Garland Collection West Sussex Record Office Ref. No. Garland N30248

Patent drawing for Thomas Crappers sanitary innovation, the Water Waste Preventer, 1880s
WATER WASTE PREVENTER. Patent drawing for Thomas Crappers sanitary innovation, the Water Waste Preventer, 1880s

Advert, Doultons improved hooded baths, London, Paisley and Paris. circa 1890

Gibbs Happy Families - Mr Pipe the Plumber. Date: 20th century

Sanitary ware, Plate 42, showing wash basins, urinals and toilet bowls in a range of styles. Date: circa 1880s

Carpentry & plumbing, Training Ship Wellesley, North Shields
Boys learning carpentry and plumbing on the Training Ship Wellesley, on the River Tyne at North Shields, Northumberland. In 1868

Plan of Canterbury Cathedral from the Eadwine Psalter, c. 1150 (vellum)
3086776 Plan of Canterbury Cathedral from the Eadwine Psalter, c.1150 (vellum) by English School, (12th century); Trinity College, Cambridge

Le Bidet. Private Collection

A sectional view of a house warmed by hot water, which in turn was heated by the boiler on the bottom floor
5311251 A sectional view of a house warmed by hot water, which in turn was heated by the boiler on the bottom floor, and travelled through reservoirs (F, F)

A water closet by Jennings of Lambeth, with valve and S-bend, 1850
3359501 A water closet by Jennings of Lambeth, with valve and S-bend, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a water closet by Jennings of Lambeth, with valve and S-bend)

Dolton's valve less flush-out water closet, 1850
3359500 Dolton's valve less flush-out water closet, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving of Dolton's valve less flush-out water closet. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

A water closet with wooden cabinet, 1850
3359498 A water closet with wooden cabinet, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a water closet with wooden cabinet and flushing mechanism, activated by closing the lid)

John Downe's water closet with automatic flush mechanism, 1850
3359496 John Downe's water closet with automatic flush mechanism, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting John Downe's water closet with automatic flush mechanism)

A 'washout' water closet, 1850
3359495 A 'washout' water closet, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a 'washout' water closet. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

WC with syphon flushing cistern, 1850
3359513 WC with syphon flushing cistern, 1850; (add.info.: WC with syphon flushing cistern. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Mr Whiteley's design for central heating and hot water system
5307929 Mr Whiteley's design for central heating and hot water system.; (add.info.: Illustration depicting Mr Whiteley's design for central heating)

Dolton's valve less flush-out water closet, 1850
3359502 Dolton's valve less flush-out water closet, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving of Dolton's valve less flush-out water closet. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Plumber heating lead in a fire to fix lead pipes on a building site. Handcoloured woodcut engraving from The Book of
FLO4577857 Plumber heating lead in a fire to fix lead pipes on a building site. Handcoloured woodcut engraving from The Book of English Trades and Library of the Useful Arts.; (add.info)

The Optimus pedestal WC with small lead-lined wooden cistern, 1850
3359514 The Optimus pedestal WC with small lead-lined wooden cistern, 1850; (add.info.: The Optimus pedestal WC with small lead-lined wooden cistern)

Kirkwood's water closet, 1850
3359497 Kirkwood's water closet, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving of Kirkwood's water closet. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

The Optimus pedestal WC with small lead-lined wooden cistern, 1850
3359494 The Optimus pedestal WC with small lead-lined wooden cistern, 1850; (add.info.: The Optimus pedestal WC with small lead-lined wooden cistern)

A pedestal WC
5312137 A pedestal WC; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a pedestal WC with siphon flushing system. Dated 19th century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

The workings of a toilet, 1850
3359122 The workings of a toilet, 1850; (add.info.: Cutaway diagram showing the workings of a toilet. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

A sectional view of a house heated by Angier March Perkins' method of circulating hot water with pressure
5311250 A sectional view of a house heated by Angier March Perkins' method of circulating hot water with pressure. Angier March Perkins (1799-1881) an American engineer

A tier pedestal WC's with trap ventilation and soil pipe, 1850
3359508 A tier pedestal WC's with trap ventilation and soil pipe, 1850; (add.info.: Sectional view of a tier pedestal WC's with trap ventilation and soil pipe)

Design for a ship's WC designed by Andrew Thomson, 1850
3359503 Design for a ship's WC designed by Andrew Thomson, 1850; (add.info.: Design for a ship's WC, which would prevent spillage and drifting smells)

A water closet by Jennings of Lambeth, with hinged seat removed, 1850
3359499 A water closet by Jennings of Lambeth, with hinged seat removed, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a water closet by Jennings of Lambeth, with hinged seat removed)

Fully tiled lavatory with WC on dais, 1850
3359512 Fully tiled lavatory with WC on dais, 1850; (add.info.: Fully tiled lavatory with WC on dais. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

A lavatory with WC, urinal and wash basin
5312135 A lavatory with WC, urinal and wash basin; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a lavatory with WC, urinal and wash basin. Dated 19th century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Billingsgate New Market, 1854. Creator: Unknown
Billingsgate New Market [in London], 1854. The New Market is covered with semicircular roofs of galvanised corrugated iron

Roman Remains Discovered at Lymne, Kent, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Roman Remains Discovered at Lymne, Kent, 1850. Archaeological dig at Lympne in Kent: An extensive hypocaust ran under the floor

Sewage disposal plant at the Aqua Fria Farm security administration camp, Maricopa County, AZ
Maricopa County, AZ. Sewage disposal plant at the Aqua Fria Farm security administration camp for migrant workers

ICI apprentice plumbers Andrew Hutchinson (left) and Michael Wilson have swapped places with their counterparts at Middlesbrough Council for two weeks

The Metropolitian Baths - the Ladies Bath, 1858. Creator: Unknown
The Metropolitian Baths - the Ladies Bath, 1858....there has scarcely existed in the metropolis [ie London] a convenient bathing establishment; most of the baths...being notoriously incommodious

The Metropolitian Baths - the Vapour Bath, 1858. Creator: Unknown
The Metropolitian Baths - the Vapour Bath, 1858. The elegance of a well-appointed dressing-room has been imported into every bath-room, which shines resplendent with mirrors, marble, and mahogany

The Metropolitian Baths - the Douche and Shower Bath Room, 1858. Creator: Unknown
The Metropolitian Baths - the Douche and Shower Bath Room, 1858....there has scarcely existed in the metropolis [ie London] a convenient bathing establishment [however]...a company has

Purge valves DP221215
Ferrybridge C Power Station, Stranglands Lane, Ferrybridge, Wakefield. Detail of hydrogen and CO2 purge valves in the power stations turbine hall, at 39 foot level

A man repairs a pipe along a street in Bogota, Colombia May 25, 2018. Picture taken May 25, 2018. Reuters/Nacho Doce

Advert, Davis & Bennett, heavy fireclay urinal stalls
Advert, Westminster Sanitary Works, Davis & Bennett, Heavy Fireclay Urinal Stalls. Date: 1903

Metropolitan Board of Works map of Bazalgette's plan for the Lines of Main Intercepting Sewers
GHL35390 Metropolitan Board of Works map of Bazalgette's plan for the Lines of Main Intercepting Sewers, constructed for the Improved Drainage of the Metropolis, (colour engraving)

Brockton, Mass. Dec. 1940, second-hand plumbing store, 1940. Creator: Jack Delano
Brockton, Mass. Dec. 1940, second-hand plumbing store

Design for supplying water to a building by means of means of pipes drawing water from wells
XIR370209 Design for supplying water to a building by means of means of pipes drawing water from wells, illustration from De Machinis (pen and ink and w/c on paper)

Sluice, 1885. Creator: Adolph Menzel
Sluice, 1885

Honor Oak Estate: interior of flat, London, 1936 (b / w photo)
1812621 Honor Oak Estate: interior of flat, London, 1936 (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); London Metropolitan Archives

Man reading a lengthy bill from his plumber (chromolitho)
6032015 Man reading a lengthy bill from his plumber (chromolitho) by Browne, Tom (1872-1910); Private Collection; (add.info.: Man reading a lengthy bill from his plumber)

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Exploring the Rich History and Innovations of Plumbing" From ancient times to modern innovations, it has played a vital role in our daily lives. This captivating caption takes you on a journey through time, showcasing various aspects of this essential trade. Trades union membership certificate: A symbol of pride for plumbers who have honed their skills and expertise through years of dedication and hard work. Pipes connected to kitchen sink and washing machine: The intricate network that ensures water flows seamlessly into our homes, providing convenience and comfort. Pipe Laying to Cottages - January 1949: An image capturing the laborious process of laying pipes underground, connecting communities with clean water supply even in harsh winter conditions. Patent drawing for Thomas Crappers sanitary innovation, the Water Waste Preventer, 1880s: A testament to the ingenuity of pioneers like Thomas Crapper who revolutionized sanitation systems with groundbreaking inventions. Plan of Canterbury Cathedral from the Eadwine Psalter, c. 1150 (vellum): Plumbing's presence can be traced back centuries as evidenced by historical manuscripts depicting sophisticated drainage systems within grand structures like cathedrals. Nude from behind (Morning toilet), 1841: Artistic depictions remind us that plumbing is not just about functionality but also intersects with personal hygiene routines throughout history. Le Bidet & Sanitary ware, Plate 42: Elegant fixtures showcasing how plumbing has evolved beyond basic necessities into stylish design elements enhancing bathrooms worldwide. Carpentry & plumbing, Training Ship Wellesley, North Shields: Plumbers' versatility extends beyond pipe installations; they are skilled craftsmen collaborating closely with other tradespeople to create functional spaces aboard ships or buildings alike. Kensington & Chelsea District School plumbers shop: Educational institutions nurturing future generations of plumbers equipped with knowledge passed down through generations alongside contemporary techniques for sustainable solutions Advert Davis & Bennett heavy fireclay urinal stalls.