Low Down Articles
Echoes from the Past
Article 94 of 111
This article first appeared in the "Echoes from the Past" column of the The Low Down to Hull and Back News.
Reprinted with permission. Search complete list of Low Down Articles.
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Tin Types
Tin pedlars in the 19th Century, sometimes travelled as far as 1200 to 1500 miles in order to dispose of their stock of tinware, as did the purveyors of patent medicines, basket ware and other commodities not always available at village general stores.
Many of these stores-on-wheels came from the northern United States. Starting in the early spring and some even venturing into Canada, not seeing their homes again until late fall, having displayed their ware at fall fairs.
In addition to the usual items of tin such as dippers, bread boxes, flour bins, storage boxes of all shapes and sizes, tin lanterns, candle moulds, etc., tiles made of tin, a New England invention, formed a large portion of the pedlar's stock-in-trade.
These tiles were of assorted sizes, with a variety of embossed patterns on their surfaces. They were much used to decorate ceilings and walls of dining rooms, kitchens and beverage rooms of inns, hotels and stopping places. Tin tiles were also favoured by barber shops and stores of every description. Indeed, the tinware tiles replaced the moulded ceilings of plasterwork which took a specialist to install. Tin strips, also embossed with a contrasting pattern, were available to finish off corners and the angles formed by walls meeting ceilings. Any carpenter or handyman equipped with tinsnips, a hammer and a supply of nails could tile a room in a comparative short time.
There was an added advantage that tinware once applied could be painted in the colours of one's choice. The patterns although covered, showed through the paint. Further, the choice of colours could be changed whenever it became necessary to repaint.
It should be obvious that a large stock of assorted tiles could not be carried on the usual treks. Their weight made that prohibitive, but a large selection of samples was put aboard. Orders were taken, being filled later. They were carried to their destination by "forwarders".
It is interesting that the former stopping place, the Dunn House (now the B & B, the Dawn House), in Old Chelsea, was tiled both inside and outside. The outside tiles, to this day, painted a pleasant green, with white trim, greets both locals and visitors. A white picket fence backed with a fine display of colourful flowers adds grace to the scene.