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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Found by Leonid Semushin in Arkhangelsk, Russia. 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 and closed Chapelhall in 1980. Therefore between…
Found by Danielle Gustafson in an old cottage on the shores of the Bay of Fundy in Parrsboro, Nova Scotia, Canada. The maker is unidentified. The brickmark would suggest Scottish origins but … There is the distinct possibility that this fire brick was manufactured in Scotland for an overseas customer and that the G &…
Found by Martin Somermaa. Martin states – I live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and recently unearthed this brick in the backyard while replacing a fence. The back of the property borders what is now known as the Canadian National rail line. In the late 1800’s it was known as the Grand Trunk Railway line which…
Many thanks to Andrew Davis for sending this photograph. These bricks form part of the chimney in his house which is believed to be at least 100 years old. The house is situated in Newfoundland, Canada. Gartcraig Fire Clay Works, By Millerston, Glasgow. . .
This brick is in the possession of Vladimir Smirnov and was found in the St Petersburg area. Blochairn Sand and Fire Clay Co, Blochairn, Glasgow. . . . .
Found by Jörgen Everklint in Strängnäs, Sweden. Stein, Castlecary Fireclay Works, Castlecary, Stirlingshire. Stein, Manuel Firebrick and Refractory Works, Whitecross, Stirlingshire. Stein & Co, Anchor Brickworks, Denny, Stirlingshire. Milnquarter Fireclay & Gannister Works, Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire .
This was found somewhere in Canada by Carl Larouche, Isle-aux-Coudres, Québec, Canada. St Rollox Brickworks, Glasgow. . . . .
Found by Daniel den Hollander and Peter Greendyk. Peter states – On a recent field trip to an old iron furnace site, Split Rock Furnaces, in Boonton Township, New Jersey, Morris County, USA, a student spotted the remnants of a Gilmour and Kilmarnock brick near the base of the furnace. I could find none other…
Found by Franco Andrés at Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina. Franco states – I’m a mechanical engineer from Argentina. I was looking for information about this brick and found your website. I’m currently working at an old technical school. The building has a boiler room, built between 1934 and 1937. One of my coworkers found some of…
This brick was photographed by Siobhan Ratchford at the The Queens Hotel, Kandy, Sri Lanka. Gartcosh Fireclay Works, Gartcosh, Glasgow. . . . .
