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Clay Pipes for Tobacco Smoking |
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The earliest reference to a man smoking in England was in 1556, incidentally the man was from the port of Bristol. By the 1580's clay tobacco pipes were bing made in this country, the idea being copied from the pipes used by the native Americans In 1604 James I spoke out against smoking, including its effects on health (the original health warning!). Despite this, and the high price of tobacco, the popularity of smoking grew. Early pipe manufacture was centered on London. Between 1624 and 1638 London held a monopoly for the importation of tobacco. It also had, until 1640, the sole use of suitable clay. The iron-free Poole clay was especially prized. Bristol was not to be left out. Some tobacco was locally grown in Gloucestershire and ships sometimes put into western ports, claiming storm damage. The first pipemaker in Bristol may have been Miles Casey, who died in 1617, but was probably working earlier. Anne his widow continued the businss in Lewins Mead until 1628. The earliest record of a Bristol apprentice is in 1619, when Richard and Anne Berriman took John Wall as an apprentice. Wall would, in turn, take apprentices between 1631 and 1647. The period of the English Civil War and its aftermath (1642-50) show very few new apprentices, suggesting a recession. Bristol formed its guild of pipe makers in 1652. It had 25 members, some of whom were apprentices, and four were women. The founder members of the guild were: Humfry Partridge, Philip Edwards, William Williams, Thomas Smith, John Calloway, Robert Hancock, Robert Powell, Hugh Lewis, Alexander Charrington, John Abbots, John Hunt, Flower Hunt, Thomas Dodding, Thomas Poyte, William Bitt(?), Richard Nunnye, Edward Abbott, Thomas Deane, Abraham Reeves, James Fox, Indistinct Name, Widdow Jane Wall, Widdow Elizabeth Lewis, Widdow Lettic Phillips and Christian Smith. William Bitt(?) is probably William Biddell. Despite the guild pipe makers had a low social status, which continued until the end of the trade. On 10th November 1710 the pipe makers entered into a mould size agreement. The length of long pipes was set at 16 inches, Dutch pipes 14 inches, Jamaica pipes 13 inches, Penned Heeles and Gauntlets 11 and a half inches, and Virginia pipes 8 and a half inches. In 1734 William Nicholas caused a mould to be made for a 24 inch pipe. The unknown mould maker was fined 5 pounds, a large sum in those days. During the 17th century Bristol developed a considerable export trade, particularly to the Americas. During the early 18th century tobacco became cheaper, and the bowls of pipes became larger. Despite the fact that many now took tobacco in the form of snuff the Bristol trade increased. This would not last, by the 1760s Liverpool took much of the export trade, to be followed by Glasgow in the 19th century. By the last quarter of the 18th century the Bristol trade virtually collapsed. Trade revived in the early 19th century. Many of the makers were now to be found in St Jude's parish, a poor part of the city. They sometimes had second trades, as in the 17th century. Some did not have their own kilns, sharing with others. By 1860 decline had set in again. Clay pipes, the original throw away item, were under fierce competition from the durable briar pipes. The last works, Thomas George & Co., closed in 1921. Pipes were made in iron or brass moulds, each mould having a life of about 10 years. Bristol pipes are generally of a superior quality, sometimes with elaborate mouldings, and many of them have makers' marks. Pipes may be glazed. An advertisement, of 1799, listed the best long pipes (churchwardens) at 5 shillings (0.25 pounds) per gross (144), down to the cheapest short pipes at 1 shilling per gross. Even in 1799 it does not sound like a very wonderful business! |
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