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Charles Bikker plumber painter Bradford Street

Vivienne14

Kentish Brummie Moderator
Staff member
Think this trade card is early-mid 1800s. Mr Bikker of Bradford Street is not simply a glazier and painter, but he carries out gilding, clouding and bronzing as well as marbling. All skills I guess were/are employed in sign painting.

Not too sure what the word says before "glazier". Viv.

image.jpeg
 
It is plumber from the latin plumbum meaning lead.

I have ammended this post as the original wording was incorrect. The 'plummer' I referenced is of course a surname not a profession. :eek:
 
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In the 1841 directory he just describes himself as a painter and is at 254 Bradford St, but by the 1845 directiry he describes himself as "painter, plumber, etc."
 
Think that must be the case Alan. He offers so many different services. Be nice to think some of his work still exists around Birmingham, but I somehow doubt it. If he painted shop signs etc they've probably gone, not even visible as a ghost sign. Viv.
 
Chas Bikker of Bradford Street gets quite a few mentions in the Press.

In October 1853 he was involved in an action, which he lost, against the churchwardens of St John’s Chapel, Deritend where he is described as a plumber, painter, and glazier. And in March 1864 was involved in a contract dispute for the painting of New Street Station.

In April 1861 he had an agreement for painting and colouring of the whole of the wards and premises of the Queen’s Hospital. Later in September cordial thanks were given to him by the Queen’s Hospital Board for his liberality in colouring and decorating the new chapel free of charge in September 1861.
 
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