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What is a colourer?

mikejee

mikejee

Super Moderator
Staff member
Found this in the 1849 whites directory. Anyone know what a colourer was in this context.?

Startin Thomas, jun., bricklayer and colourer, 11, Grove's Buildings
 
Just a thought i,m not a bricklayer but as long as i can remember they have put dies into the mortar mix to change the colour of the cement courses. Dek
 
I'd never noticed that. You notice he colour of the bricks, but not the mortar. Seems a reasonable explanation.
Mike
 
On a 1849 marriage certificate I have the males occupation as colourer then on his sons marriage certificate he is a painter. Could it be like a painter and decorator
 
He is most likely a house painters assistant. They would have to learn all aspects of the trade, like mixing colours, looking after the brushes,etc.
I don't think it was like these days where you can get any colour you like in a tin.
Terry
 
The reason i asked was because i thought a painter and bricklayer would be different trades. Its certainly right that usually you had to mix your own colours. My grandfather was a signwriter and decorator. Although I only remember him when he had retired, he still had lots of little pots and tubes of colouring in his shed
Mike
 
Just come past the viaduct at Lawley St all the brick courses are black to match the blue bricks. In the 1800 all bricklayers were classed as master tradesmen in old photos they can be seen at work in suits and bowler hats. Dek
 
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