Eine Sammlung von Tonpfeifenköpfen aus dem 19. Jahrhundert auf schwarzem Hintergrund
LIFESTYLE ·

TREASURE HUNT IN THE MUD - TOBACCO PIPE MAKER

Allow me to introduce Thomas Jeptha Stubbs, Victorian Clay Tobacco Pipe Maker

A selection of Victorian clay pipes found in the River Thames

Fragments of past lives are scattered on the banks of London’s River Thames, be it in the form of a tailor’s name on a brass button, a coat of arms on a piece of pottery, or in this case, a Victorian clay pipe maker’s name on the side of a clay pipe stem.

Several Victorian clay pipes laid out close together

The magic of finding a piece of history worn by the river, with a name on it, is that it has the potential to bring a past story to life. These clay pipes, found over a period of years, are stamped T. Stubbs.

Three clay pipes with the name stamp T.Stubbs

My research led me not only to Thomas Jeptha Stubbs, a clay pipe maker from South East London but also to the Christ Church Workhouse in Southwark.   Thomas Jeptha Stubbs, born in 1839, spent much time as a young boy in this workhouse.

Two black and white images, on the left Thomas Jeptha Stubbs, his wife Elizabeth and their 6 children, on the right Thomas Jeptha Stubbs in a business suit

The reason for this appears to be due to his father, also a clay pipe maker, struggling to make a living. The Stubbs family were admitted on several occasions, receiving board and lodging, as evidenced in family research records.   

In 1853, Thomas and his brother, Henry, left the workhouse for the last time, and Thomas went into business making clay pipes for himself. By 1881, he was seemingly so successful that his wife, Elizabeth, and several of their children were working in the business. 

It’s always a treat to find a clay pipe made by Thomas Stubbs, smoked and then discarded by dockers and shipbuilders over one hundred years ago. I now have quite a collection of them.  It’s almost like running into an old friend! Thomas Jeptha Stubbs died in 1912 at the age of 72.

Two images, on the left a clay pipe bowl in the shape of a horse found in the River Thames. On the right, Nicola White holding a clay pipe bowl in the shape of a cockerel.

What's even more special is that Thomas and Elizabeth Stubbs’ descendants have created a business in the 21st century making pub snacks, also based in South East London and still thriving.  Barry Stubbs, owner of Tavern Snacks, said of Thomas: “Thomas Jeptha Stubbs made clay pipes and delivered them by horse and cart to pubs in South East London.  Today, the pipes have been replaced by snacks and the vehicles are no longer horse-drawn.”

It must be said that Victorian clay pipe makers were extremely creative and inventive! Over the years I have found clay pipe bowls in the shape of animals, faces, figures, boats, trains, and shoes, to name but a few!   I like to imagine the Victorian pipe makers meeting up, sitting together, discussing their new ideas and sometimes quite eccentric designs!

A collection of 19th-century clay pipe bowls on a black background

Here are some photos of clay pipe bowls, made over the 19th century. Which is your favorite?

Follow Nicola White

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/tidelineart/?hl=en

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/NicolaWhiteTidelineArt/

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2K7yEwPIcPaQT5FM78dpyw

Related Product - https://www.muckbootcompany.de/collections/arctic-sport-ii

Back to STORIES ALL ABOUT MUCK

LEAVE A COMMENT

Please note that comments must be approved before they are published

Diese Website ist durch reCAPTCHA geschützt und es gelten die allgemeinen Geschäftsbedingungen und Datenschutzbestimmungen von Google.