This ad for Minton’s encaustic floor tiles appeared as a two-page spread in Woodward’s National Architect, a house plan book published in New York. Period advertising is a wonderful source of information about what was being used in houses at different periods, particularly after the mid-19th century. The introduction of subscription magazines and advances in color printing led to a vast increase in advertising at that time.
Minton’s was founded in 1793 and located in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England. Stoke was one of five adjacent towns collectively known as “The Potteries” where hundreds of pottery firms produced millions of ceramic items over several hundred years. Export to the US was an important part of the business for many potteries, including Minton’s. As noted in the ad, they provided floor tile for expansions to the US Capitol in the 1850’s.
Ceramic tile preservation, restoration, and replication is covered in detail in Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners.
The 720-page hardcover book is now available in bookstores and from online retailers (it is currently 34% off on Amazon! http://ow.ly/N7ba50y4PSL).
Signed and personalized copies are available directly from the author on this site.
Your local bookstore can order copies from W.W. Norton.
Follow Restoring Your Historic House on Facebook and Instagram for more old house images, information, and inspiration!
#antiquehome #antiquehomes #traditionalarchitecture #historicalhomes #historicalhouse #historic #oldhousecharm #oldhome #oldhouse #preservation #preserveourhistory #houseandgarden #aplacetocallhome #homerestoration #houserestoration #historicpreservation #vintagehome #architecturelover #restoringyourhistorichouse #yourhistorichome #restoration #houserehab #encaustictile #victoriantile #tilerestoration #mintontile #mintons