Tinplate Collection

Johnnie Walker calendar. Coloured tinplate figures of Johnny Walker and a caddy on a cardboard box containing a perpetual calendar

A collection of model railway lamps, made by the toy company Bing, c. 1914-25 (tinplate)
1199476 A collection of model railway lamps, made by the toy company Bing, c. 1914-25 (tinplate) by English School, (19th century); 34 - 46 (height) cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

American Sheet & Tinplate Co.s Mill at Monessen, Pa, USA
American Sheet & Tinplate Co.s Mill at Monessen, Pennsylvania, United States of American. Date: 1910s

Lakeside Lucerne grazing cattle oil tinplate
Lakeside near Lucerne with grazing cattle, oil on tinplate, 22 x 32 cm, monogrammed lower left: J: J: B:, Johann Jakob Biedermann, Winterthur 1763-1830 Aussersihl/Zurich

1930s Poor housing at Blaina, Monmouthshire
A woman and her small child stand outside a single-storey cottage at Blaina in South Wales. Industry in the area was centred on coal-mining and the local tinplate works and suffered great poverty

1930s slum dwelling at Blaina, Monmouthshire

Spinning top. This toy plays music when spun by pulling the blue handle (top) up and then pushing it back down to its starting position

Cardigan Railway Station, Cardiganshire, South Wales
View of a platform of Cardigan Railway Station on the Great Western Railway, Cardiganshire, South Wales, with flowerbeds and tinplate advertisements for Pears Soap and Sutton Seeds

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"Tinplate: A Journey Through Time and Industries" Step back in time with a collection of model railway lamps, crafted by the renowned toy company Bing between 1914-1925. These tinplate treasures transport us to an era when craftsmanship and attention to detail were paramount. Across the Atlantic, at Monessen, Pennsylvania, stands the American Sheet & Tinplate Co. 's Mill. This industrial marvel played a significant role in shaping America's steel industry during its heyday. But tinplate is not limited to manufacturing alone; it has also found its way into art and culture. Take for instance the Johnnie Walker calendar adorned with vibrant tinplate designs that once graced walls worldwide, capturing both functionality and beauty. In Scotland, three businesses proudly displayed their products through eye-catching adverts made from this versatile material. These advertisements served as windows into a world of innovation and quality craftsmanship. Yet not all stories told by it can glamorous. In Blaina, Monmouthshire during the 1930s, poor housing conditions plagued communities. The stark reality captured in photographs reminds us of the struggles faced by many during that time. On a lighter note, Lakeside Lucerne showcases grazing cattle oil tins made from tinplate—a testament to its durability even in agricultural settings where it withstands harsh weather conditions while protecting valuable resources. Delving into history reveals remarkable artists who utilized this medium creatively. Ricardo Balaca y Orejas-Canseco (1844-1880), Antonio Marín Esquivel y Suárez de Urbina (1806-1857), and Francisco de Goya y Lucientes (1746-1828) pushed boundaries with their masterpieces on tinplates—showcasing how art can transcend traditional canvases. Returning to Blaina's past brings us face-to-face with slum dwellings from the 1930s—a reminder of societal challenges that demanded change and reform.