A wonderful day was had when I met Vladimir Smirnov and his family yesterday in the Scottish Borders. A good number of local historical sites were visited, lunch and some friendly and informative ‘brick’ chat too. The highlight of the day for me was Vladimir’s unexpected, yet most generous gift of a ‘Bonnyrigg Patent’ brick he had found some years ago in St Petersburg, Russia. As far as we are aware no such examples have been recorded yet in Scotland. It is believed this brick was manufactured at the Bonnyrigg Fireclay Works, Bonnyrigg, Mid Lothian, Scotland although the exact location for these works is still unconfirmed.
This was Vladimir’s first visit to Scotland and as he was staying in Edinburgh, a nice relevant brick momento was found to mark the occasion. Apart from the brick, Vladimir, his wife Tatyana and son Daniel, brought some other lovely gifts including a very unique brick inspired, printed cushion made by Tatyana.
A great visit and one we hope to reciprocate at some point in the future.
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This brick was found by Kathleen Forward at the site of the Albion Mines Foundry in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canada. Photographed by Laura de Boer. The foundry was established in 1827 and was in operation until at least 1865 and possibly as late as the 1890s. Garnkirk Fireclay Works, Garnkirk, Lanarkshire. . . ….
Found near Yangon, Myanmar by Htin Kyaw. Roughcastle Firebrick Works, Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire. . . . .
Found in a creek in Poughkeepsie, NY by Stephanie LaRose. This is an interesting example. Firstly the lettering is ‘raised’ and the word Heatheryknowe is split into two, Heathery Knowe like the Coal Company name. Whereas both my example have the name as one and the lettering is ‘impressed’ – see link . . Below…
Found by Ludson Felida in Bonaire, Caribbean Netherland. The brick was part of an old bread oven on a farmstead. It may read A-1 B Glenboig Union Fireclay Company, Glenboig, Lanarkshire. Alternative brickworks include: Glenboig Star Fireclay Works, Glenboig, Lanarkshire. Glenboig Fireclay Works, (Old Works) Glenboig, Lanarkshire .
Found in Zaandam, Holland by Daniel Tomasi. This is a slight variation from the normal stamp as the Glenboig and A1 run together to form 1 word. There is normally a gap between the 2. Glenboig Union Fireclay Company, Glenboig, Lanarkshire. Alternative brickworks include: Glenboig Star Fireclay Works, Glenboig, Lanarkshire. Glenboig Fireclay Works, (Old Works)…
Found by Brady Treneer on the St. Croix river, Robbinston, Maine, USA. Gartcraig Fire Clay Works, By Millerston, Glasgow. The manufacturer of this brick is unknown but I am beginning to lean heavily toward it being a Gartcraig brick due to the volume of Gartcraigs that turn up on foreign shores. Gartcraig Fire Clay Works,…
An interesting couple of bricks with dubious origins. This ETNA 2 brick was found in Russia by Vladimir Smirnov. It was found near to the TROTTE 10 brick. The ETNA does not look like the ETNA bricks manufactured in West Lothian. Both Vladimir and I believe this is a forged ETNA brick. It is possible…
This example was found in an old Bakery, Resistencia, Chaco, Argentina by Deigo Maciel. Bonnybridge Silica & Fireclay Co Ltd, Bonnybridge. alt Calder Firebrick Works, Airdrie, Lanarkshire. alt Chapelhall Works, Lanarkshire. Hepworth Ceramic Holdings plc (GR-Stein Refractories Ltd. parent co) bought the Bonnybridge Silica & Fireclay Co. Ltd in 1972, closed Bonnybridge works in 1973…
Found by Aimee Surprenant in a house built in 1875 in St. John’s NL, Canada. Bonnybridge Silica & Fireclay Co Ltd, Bonnybridge. alt Calder Firebrick Works, Airdrie, Lanarkshire. alt Chapelhall Works, Lanarkshire. Hepworth Ceramic Holdings plc (GR-Stein Refractories Ltd. parent co) bought the Bonnybridge Silica & Fireclay Co. Ltd in 1972, closed Bonnybridge works in…
Found by Dr Jorg Ansorge in Stralsund (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern), Germany, a seaport town at the Baltic Sea coast. This stamp was on a salt-glazed water or sewage pipe. Lochhead Fireclay Works, Dunfermline, Fife. . . .
