Plumbers 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

Advertisement for Joseph Mastin and Son, Builders, etc. Cavendish Street, Sheffield
Original at Sheffield Local Studies Library: MP Folder 62

Advert, H & J Philp, Architects and Builders, Dunfermline
Advert for H & J Philp, Architects and Builders, Campbell Street, Dunfermline, Scotland. 1905

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

Trade card, T Burrell (engraving)
732145 Trade card, T Burrell (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Trade card, T Burrell, plumber, glazier, house and ornamental painter, No)

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

Stationery, M Garding & Sons, Market Place, Leek - plumbers, glaziers, gasfitters, decorative painters, electric light and bell fitters. Date: 1913

Plumbers House-Leek (Water Drippery), illustration from The Bogus Book of Botany by John Weir, 1930-48 (ink on paper)
HIG294479 Plumbers House-Leek (Water Drippery), illustration from The Bogus Book of Botany by John Weir, 1930-48 (ink on paper) by Weir, John (1907-1951); Private Collection

Croton Water. C. Hillsburgh, practical plumber, no. 342 Water Street, New York
1079033 Croton Water. C. Hillsburgh, practical plumber, no. 342 Water Street, New York, 1840s (litho) by Childs, J. (19th century); Collection of the New-York Historical Society

W. F. Lynch and pipefitter group, 1905 (b / w photo)
HGL396818 W. F. Lynch and pipefitter group, 1905 (b/w photo) by Gentieu, Pierre A. (1842-1930); Hagley Museum & Library, Wilmington, Delaware, USA; eHagley Museum and Library; French, out of copyright

J Bradwell, plumber, brass and iron founder, whitesmith and bell hanger, trade card (coloured engraving)
731624 J Bradwell, plumber, brass and iron founder, whitesmith and bell hanger, trade card (coloured engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: J Bradwell, plumber)

Stationery, Walter Llewellyn & Co, Eastbourne, Sussex
Stationery, Walter Llewellyn & Co, Carpenters, Joiners, Plumbers, Painters, Glaziers, Paper Hangers and House Decorators, Ceylon Place, Eastbourne, Sussex. 1900

The Plumbers (engraving)
6004324 The Plumbers (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Plumbers. Illustration for The Book of English Trades and Library of the Useful Arts (new edn)

Woman telephoning a plumber (colour litho)
3094450 Woman telephoning a plumber (colour litho) by American School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Woman telephoning a plumber. Postcard, early 20th century)

Urinetown
Christophe Kiciak

At the opening of the Plumbers Museum in the ancient Morden Tower, Newcastle, by the Lord Mayor (Coun. J.G. Nixon). 13th September 1932

Advert for Morrison, Ingram & Son bath and lavatories 1888
Advertisement in a trade book for 1888, specialities of the manufactures of patent steamless and noiseless baths and lavatories, patent spray, cascade, trinal and other closets

Plumbing class from Sheffield Technical School, 1905
From an original at Sheffield Libraries: u03628

Borstal Inmates
Inmates in various scenes from at an unidentified Borstal - the poultry yard, gymnasium, bakery, and a party of plumbers and fitters. Date: circa 1926

Advertisement for W. Weddle and Son. Glaziers, Gas and Water Fitters, Hunters Bar
Image from Ecclesall Church, Sheffield [information booklet], c. 1928.Local Studies ref. PAMP 362 SQ

Installation of a solar collector, near Freiburg in Breisgau, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, Europe

Flavius Josephus (c37-c100) Jewish Antiquities Construction of the Temple at Jerusalem by King Solomon (directing proceedings from balcony). The building shown is Notre Dame de Paris. 15th century

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"Plumbers: Masters of the Trade Through Time" From the Trades union membership certificate to the advertisement for Joseph Mastin and Son, Builders in Sheffield's Cavendish Street, they have long been an essential part of our society. Their expertise in carpentry and plumbing was honed even on Training Ship Wellesley in North Shields. Trade cards like T Burrell's engraving showcased their skills, while stationery from M Garding & Sons in Leek symbolized their professionalism. Advertisements for Morrison, Ingram & Son bath and lavatories in 1888 highlighted their commitment to innovation. The dedication to education is evident through a snapshot of a plumbing class at Sheffield Technical School back in 1905. Even ICI apprentice plumbers Andrew Hutchinson and Michael Wilson swapped places to expand their knowledge. Beyond practicality, plumbers' influence extends into art with illustrations like "Plumbers House-Leek (Water Drippery)" from The Bogus Book of Botany by John Weir. This ink-on-paper masterpiece showcases the creative spirit within this trade. In New York City, Croton Water relied on skilled professionals like C. Hillsburgh, a practical plumber situated on Water Street since time immemorial. Meanwhile, W. F Lynch and his pipefitter group posed proudly for a black-and-white photograph capturing their camaraderie back in 1905. Even architects recognized the importance of plumbers; H & J Philp Architects and Builders advertised alongside them as partners in creating functional spaces that stand strong over time – just like these tradespeople themselves. Through history and across continents, they have played an indispensable role shaping our world's infrastructure. From certificates to advertisements to artistic depictions - every piece tells a story about these unsung heroes who keep our pipes flowing smoothly.