It’s week five of #WadsworthsHistoryofMinton and the tweets are still coming thick and fast (with a short interlude for Folio Friday and Staffordshire Day along the way!). Read on for the latest round-up from @MintonArchive.
WHoM:1
(01/04/20 – 07/04/20)
WHoM:2
(08/04/20 – 14/04/20)
WHoM:3
(15/04/20 – 21/04/20)
WHoM:4
(22/04/20 – 28/04/20)
Minton’s developed process is described in detail in a paper by Digby Wyatt entitled “On the influence exerted on Ceramic Manufactures by the late Mr. Herbert Minton” which was read to the Royal Society of Arts in May 1858: https://t.co/WP6mdBzKtj [47/] #WadsworthsHistoryofMinton
— The Minton Archive (@MintonArchive) April 29, 2020
By using plaster moulds in wooden frames Herbert Minton had established the principle of mass-producing encaustic tiles, and had also found ways to counteract shrinkage and extend the range of colours used. “This was the first success”.[48/] #WadsworthsHistoryofMinton
— The Minton Archive (@MintonArchive) April 30, 2020
In 1839 Alfred Singer patented the cutting of clay into “rectilinear figures by means of intersecting wires in a frame” & “the forming of [mosaic slabs] by cementing together small pieces of […] earthenware of various figures & colours”.[49/] #WadsworthsHistoryofMinton
— The Minton Archive (@MintonArchive) May 1, 2020
Herbert was quick to realise the possibilities this invention opened up for carrying out geometrical designs in tiling & took out a license from Singer for laying small tiles & tesserae of coloured clay, a further advance in tile-making methods.[50/] #WadsworthsHistoryofMinton
— The Minton Archive (@MintonArchive) May 1, 2020
Finally, in 1840 Richard Prosser of Birmingham was granted a patent for a new process for solidifying china clay in dry powder form under pressure in metal moulds, something entirely new in ceramics which would have far-reaching effects.[51/] #WadsworthsHistoryofMinton
— The Minton Archive (@MintonArchive) May 2, 2020
“Prosser’s idea was to use his new process for making buttons, but again Herbert Minton realised its potential value for making tiles.” [52/] #WadsworthsHistoryofMinton
— The Minton Archive (@MintonArchive) May 2, 2020
Herbert Minton bought a half-share in Prosser’s dust-pressing patent and, though he would use it produce buttons for a few years, lost no time in adapting the machine for the job of tile-making, beginning production less than 2 months later.[53/] #WadsworthsHistoryofMinton
— The Minton Archive (@MintonArchive) May 3, 2020
“At last the long years of dogged effort & constant experiment were rewarded. He had once said to John Boyle, his somewhat sceptical partner, ‘Say no more Mr. Boyle, I’ll make these tiles if they cost me a guinea a piece’.”[54/] #WadsworthsHistoryofMinton
— The Minton Archive (@MintonArchive) May 3, 2020
By the August of 1840 seven presses were operating at the factory, making tiles & tesserae (& buttons!). Herbert had found the key to making – quickly & cheaply – tiles of a consistent shape, size, & colour which did not shrink or warp.[55/] #WadsworthsHistoryofMinton
— The Minton Archive (@MintonArchive) May 4, 2020
Orders flowed in: “In 1841 the floor of the Temple church in London was laid with encaustic tiles copied from medieval tiles in the Chapter House of Westminster Abbey & in 1842 Minton published an extensive catalogue of encaustic tile patterns”.[56/] #WadsworthsHistoryofMinton
— The Minton Archive (@MintonArchive) May 5, 2020
However, Minton’s encaustic tiles would finally be placed on the road to worldwide success when, in 1843, Herbert was invited to a soirée given by the Marquess of Northampton, President of the British Association.[57/] #WadsworthsHistoryofMinton
— The Minton Archive (@MintonArchive) May 5, 2020