Comments on: The Coal Holes of Old London

By: David Willoughby

David Willoughby — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 12:49:45 +0000

Many examples of the patterns Shepherd Taylor recorded are still to be found in London but not in the situ he recorded them in. In fact some of the streets he gives no longer exist. I had hoped an example of the grid patterned round plate he recorded in John Street might still be there, as it is quite a common design and a lot of plates still exist in John and Doughty Streets, but if it is I didn’t photograph it when I was there.

By: Michelle Ward

Michelle Ward — Sat, 23 Sep 2017 22:34:12 +0000

Ooooh! This post makes me so happy. Thanks you GA for sharing Dr. Taylor’s illustrations. I’m a big fan of all street hardware and appreciate that you’ve shined the light on handsome evidence once again.

By: Annie

Annie — Sat, 23 Sep 2017 08:48:28 +0000

Found loads! You are Chalky White and I claim my prize. Will email to you the evidence when I return home. Woot!

By: Dave Hucker

Dave Hucker — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 08:38:52 +0000

I am big fan of coalhole covers particularily the Bartles ones around Notting Hill and North Kensington. Bartles was a foundry in Lancaster Road W11. And was next door to Rillington Place, No 10 was right up against the back wall of Bartles. I have discovered that often ironmongers sold their own brand coalholes. Pearsons in Notting Hill Gate was one such place.

By: Malcolm

Malcolm — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 09:33:14 +0000

Quite a few of these still exist. When I get a chance I photograph them.

By: Christine Gingerich

Christine Gingerich — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 19:01:51 +0000

Wow I wonder how much time he invested in doing these?

By: Sparks

Sparks — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 10:54:45 +0000

I have recently seen this article about T Shirt printing from these types of cover – hope it’s ok to post the link GA? I thought it was a great idea and your post has just reminded me of it
https://www.boredpanda.com/pirate-printers-manhole-covers-raubdruckerin/

By: pauline taylor

pauline taylor — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 14:05:04 +0000

I wonder how many of our ancestors, and we ourselves of course, trampled over these without giving them a second thought, but it is good to see that this man recorded so many, and thank you for showing them to us.

By: Helen Breen

Helen Breen — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 11:52:40 +0000

Thanks for sharing the link to your study of coal holes, Jane. Really fascinating.

By: Helen Breen

Helen Breen — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 11:44:48 +0000

Greetings from Boston,

GA, very interesting. Where do you find these things? All I can think of is that these various designs must have been created in foundries by workers eager to express their artistic bents although their work would remain anonymous.

Then again, because there were so many “coal holes” on every street, they must have been distinguished from each other by a particular pattern?

Truly lovely geometric designs …