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 Craig Powell at the Mount Jackson gold mine in Western Australia. Craig states – There were dozens of them made into a kitchen fireplace and many more loosely stacked around the old station homestead near the abandoned mine. The kitchen section was an add on to the original building which…
Found by Eric and Amanda Hastings in the City of Troy, New York State, USA. Glenboig Union Fireclay Company, Glenboig, Lanarkshire. Alternative brickworks include: Glenboig Star Fireclay Works, Glenboig, Lanarkshire. Glenboig Fireclay Works, (Old Works) Glenboig, Lanarkshire .
Found by Justin Hazuga in New Albany, Indiana, USA at the site of the old Star Glass Works factory. Wm Hudspith & Co, Wishaw Pottery and Brickworks, Wishaw. . . . .
Many thanks to Alun Hughers for sending this photo of Scottish bricks he saw in Hunte’s Garden, Barbados. Thistle brick – 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. Calder brick – Bonnybridge Silica &…
Many thanks to Vladimir Smirnov for sending a photograph of this brick which was found in St Petersburg, Russia. Alloa Brick & Tile Works, Alloa, Clackmannanshire. . . . .
This brick is in the possession of Vladimir Smirnov and was found in Kandalaksha, Arkhangelskaya Province, Russia. The brick was found within a domestic dwelling of a local merchant. Garnqueen Fireclay Works, Glenboig, Lanarkshire. Alternative brickworks include: Gartliston Fireclay Works, Glenboig, Lanarkshire. Building bricks at Garscadden Works, Drumchapel. .
Found by Lindsay Elmore at an old gold mine outside Ravenswood, Queensland, Australia. Gartcraig Fire Clay Works, By Millerston, Glasgow. . . . .
Thank you to Olga Kubareva for forwarding photos and information on this brick. Olga is a director of the Museum and Exhibition Center of the KB JSC “Apatit” in the city of Kirovsk, Murmansk region, Russia. On a survey of an old mine in the Khibiny Mountains, several Dougall stamped bricks were found. The mine operated…
Found by Scotty Dee in an old diamond mine at Copeton Dam, NSW Australia. Gartcraig Fire Clay Works, By Millerston, Glasgow. . . . .
Found by Yury Kusmichev in St Petersburg, Russia. This is apparently the second such example to be found in St Petersburg. Fraser and Sanderson, Fire brick manufacturers, Inverkeithing. . . .
