Introduction
To most people, one beer-pump handle is much the same as any other. It is not a thing worthy of note, just a fairly unremarkable feature of the apparatus involved in the process of dispensing that perfect pint of ale. The customer's immediate focus is invariably, and quite understandably, drawn to the pump clip, for that determines the important business of what tipple is on offer. These, of course, now come in a profusion of shapes, sizes, colours, designs and materials, all competing for the drinker's attention with but one aim - TRY ME!
The Modern Beer-Pump Handle
Perhaps it is as much to do with ensuring that this message gets across with the minimum of other visual distractions, as the economic dictates of mass-production and standardisation, that the modern ceramic beer-pump handle no longer vies for attention with quite the flamboyance of its predecessors. In most pubs now there are generally just two variations on the theme - plain black or plain white.
There are, of course, exceptions - such as the various styles of "hunting scene" decoration which became the vogue during the 1960s, and handles displaying a brewery logo, eg Bass. However those are in a distinct minority. Most, as has already been observed, are just plain black or white, and it must be said, rather boring.
The modern beer-pump handle has also adopted a standard size and shape, being 9" tall and 2" in diameter at its widest point, with a double-collared base, relatively slim profile and a fairly pointed apex.
Yet it was not always like this...
The Vintage Beer-Pump Handle
Before the advent of the "modern standard" ceramic beer-pump handle, probably during the 1950s although it may have been earlier, there was no precise uniformity of shape, size, design or colour. This obviously reflected a similar lack of standardisation in the manufacture of the beer engines to which they were fitted. Often a bank of beer-pumps would have handles of similar design but in different colours. In the days before the emergence of the pump-clip, and when most pubs were tied to a single brewery, it is not inconceivable that this served a purpose as a way of colour-coding the pumps containing mild, bitter and best, for example.
In practice, of course, beer-pump handle design then, as now, was dictated largely by the ergonomic requirements of its function, so the variations that are to be seen are relatively subtle. Nevertheless, a vintage beer-pump handle has various characteristics that set it apart from its modern cousin, and which make it readily identifiable:
Features
1) Height. Can range from 5.5" to 10.5", although around 9" tends to be the norm. Those dating from the early part of the 19th century up to the 1880s, including most of the ones manufactured by Wedgwood, tend to be in the smaller 6" range, as they were designed to be fitted to "cash-register" type beer engines.
2) Size & shape. Although the diameter of the upper section at its widest point is also around 2" it has a rounder, more bulbous profile than that of the modern handle, which makes it appear bigger. The apex is much more rounded, and on the full size handles the bottom end profiles usually conform to one of three types, which I have designated "flared", "ball" and "double-collared" (for examples, see nos 10, 11 & 14 respectively, below). The spindles on vintage beer engines are tapered, and the spindle-hole at the apex is much narrower than the 5/8" found on modern handles to accommodate the top finial barrel. This means that a vintage beer-pump handle will not fit on to a modern beer engine without drilling out the top end (Noooooo!!!).
3) Colour & design. Although plain black or white were a standard feature then, as now, the mid-to-late 19th century saw the emergence of beer-pump handles decorated in a rich variety of colours and wide diversity of designs. Predominant themes include blue on white willow pattern, hop bines, birds, butterflies & insects, abstract, art-nouveau and floral designs - many hand-painted, others transfer-printed.
Reproduced below are pages from the 1879, 1888, and 1896 editions respectively of Thomas Twyford's trade catalogue (photos kindly supplied by Terry Woolliscroft). Twyford's are perhaps better known as a producer of sanitary ware. These catalogues, however, show that their product range also extended to such things as spirit barrels and beer-pump handles:
My Beer-Pump Handle Collection
Below, are photographed and described individually more than 100 beer pump handles comprising my collection and those known to exist elsewhere. Of those, I have been able to attribute only three sets to a particular maker (Wedgwood). As to the others, I have no knowledge as to when, where, or by whom they were made. Doulton, Twyfords, Minton, Chelsea and Wedgwood were all associated with the manufacture of such items during the 19th and early 20th century. Some have a number inscribed on the bottom collar (which I believe to be the pattern number), but in many cases the collar is either damaged or missing, and beyond that none have any other identifying marks, which makes attribution all but impossible. The only clues might come from the designs themselves, however without access to all of the original catalogues it is difficult to know which are generic and which are unique to a specific manufacturer.
Some Other Examples
Below are some other Victorian and vintage beer-pump handles known to exist outside my collection - a few of the ones that got away! I know there are many more out there. My thanks to Jez Horton for the photos he has provided of his own collection.
If you have any similar examples that you think should be featured, please email me a photo and I will do my best to include it. The primary purpose of this website is to help promote and expand the visual knowledge-base relating to this somewhat neglected area our social history. The inclusion of a hitherto unrecorded item can make an invaluable contribution in furthering that aim.
![]() a1. Multi-coloured abstract design on a cream background. Faint traces of gilding remain in the central panel that reveal a continuation of the designs above in an Art Nouveau style, converging at a single point below - rather like a Norman shield, or an inverted teardrop. | ![]() a2. Delicate floral tracery in gilt and white enamel on a royal blue background. | ![]() a3. Green with a white upper band containing a floral design. |
![]() a4. Colour transfer-print on a white background depicting a group of cherubs, one of whom is pouring water or wine from a pitcher into a bowl. The left part of the scene is identical to that on one of my pump handles (see no. 17 above). | ![]() a5. Smaller (5") handle in white with similar transfer-print of cherubs to a4, but with different colouring. | ![]() a6. Another view of a5 showing the rest of the scene. |
![]() a7. Green with abstract hop bine and leaf design in white, having gilded edges and detail (mostly worn away at top) and gilded bands around the bottom. A pair. Identical (apart from different background colour and better preserved gilding) to no. 28 above. | ![]() a8. Set of three having light blue, cherry red, and dark blue backgrounds; each with an elongated central panel containing a transfer-printed floral design identical to that in nos. 24 & 25 above. Unusual to see them with matching china base collars. | ![]() a9. Blue on white Willow pattern. A pair (one of two similar listings). |
![]() a10. Hand-painted gold leaves with crimson flowers on a white background. Small, 6" high. | ![]() a11. Hand-painted image of a medieval queen on a cream background. One of a pair. | ![]() a12. Close-up of image detail on the other example of the pair. |
![]() a13. Hand-painted image of a gentleman in Elizabethan dress. The lime green background appears to be a colour distortion caused by the flash proximity & white balance settings. It is actually more of a dark greyish green - see next photo. | ![]() a14. Close-up of a13 taken in natural light, giving a more accurate colour rendition. This observation applies similarly to examples a15-a19. | ![]() a15. Similar to a13, with a different pose & costume. |
![]() a16. Close-up of image detail on a15. | ![]() a17. Hand-painted image of a lady in Elizabethan dress. | ![]() a18. Close-up of image detail on a17. |
![]() a19. Similar to a17, with a different pose & costume. | ![]() a20. Hand-painted image of William Shakespeare on a grey-blue background. | ![]() a21. Close-up of image detail on a20. |
![]() a22. Hand-painted image of Francis Bacon on a grey-blue background. | ![]() a23. Close-up of image detail on a22. | ![]() a24. Hand-painted image of Edmund Spenser on a grey-blue background. |
![]() a25. Close-up of image detail on a24. | ![]() a26. Coloured transfer-print of two Bacchanalian figures on a purple background. Identical scene as in examples 17 & a4 above. | ![]() a27. Three pairs of small (6") pump handles. The black and red ones are smaller versions, with identical decoration, of my full size examples 9 and 60 above. |
![]() a28. Green background with yellow and white banding containing gilt oval loop decoration. | ![]() a29. (i) Cream background with transfer-printed roses, (ii) identical to 17 & a26 above but with a buff-coloured background; (iii) transfer-printed flowers on a white background. From Jez Horton's collection. | ![]() a30. (i) Similar to a29 with different flowers; (ii) transfer-printed flowers on a pale blue background, identical to 43 above; (iii) identical to a4 above - possibly the same item. From Jez Horton's collection. |
![]() a31. (i) White art nouveau design with gilt border on a green background, one of a pair; (ii) black abstract fern design on an olive green background; (iii) vertical black stripes on a pale green background; (iv) black abstract shapes on a yellow background; (v) second of pair (i). From Jez Horton's collection. | ![]() a32. (i) White abstract hop leaf design on a cranberry red background, similar to 28 & 49 above; (ii) blue on white flower design; (iii) transfer-printed cherries & leaves on a cream background. From Jez Horton's collection. | ![]() a33. Small, with hand-painted flowers and butterfly on a Royal Blue background. From Jez Horton's collection. |
![]() a34. Set of three mounted handles, the outer two being identical with rectangular cream panels containing hand-painted flowers and traces of patterned gilding on a cranberry red background. The central handle has wavy cherry red banding on a cream background inset with hand-painted vignettes of red berries, and a floral decoration beneath. | ![]() a35. Set of three mounted handles on original pewter base. The outer two are cranberry red, the one in the centre is pale green. All have the same Art Nouveau pattern applied on a white background, the edges being delineated in gilt. | ![]() a36. Green with white floral (possibly hop-leaf) design. Tapering cylinder with a single collar base, approx 7" tall. |
![]() a37. Matching pair with blue and pink backgrounds and a white upper panel containing transfer-printed pansies. | ![]() a38. Hand-coloured transfer print of Queen Victoria garlanded by floral wreaths on a white background, commemorating her Golden Jubilee on 21st June 1887. | ![]() a39. White flower and dot design with white banding on a royal blue background. |
![]() a40. Set of five mounted handles with hand-coloured transfer-prints of flowers on a white background. A brass plaque on the base gives the maker's name as J. Hobson, 12 Nursery St, Sheffield. | ![]() a41. Beer-pump handle, ceramic with multi-colour floral decoration, on a brass and pewter base inscribed W. Rogers. May originally have come from the White Hart pub on Temple Mill Lane, Hackney Marsh, which was under the ownership of a Walter Rogers from 1879-1891. Total height 430mm (handle itself is approx 6"). From the Hackney Museum collection. | ![]() a42. Set of four mounted handles with a multi-coloured abstract design, identical to a1 above, but on a yellow background with green veined marble effect. |
![]() a43. Hand-painted wild roses on a light cranberry background. | ![]() a44. Salmon pink with white hop bine decoration. | ![]() a45. Dark cranberry red background with an abstract design containing hand-painted floral decoration. |
![]() a46. Reverse of a45 with a different floral scene (pansies?). | ![]() a47. Side view of a45 showing abstract design detail. | ![]() a48. Green background with yellow banding dividing the upper, middle and lower sections. White central panel border containing raised pink enamel dots, and hand-painted flowers (fuschia?) in the centre. Identical design with a different theme to no. 54 above. |
![]() a49. Matching pair with hand-coloured transfer print depicting a rose, thistle, leek & shamrock. One on a pink, the other on a blue, background. Same design as nos 51 & 52 above, but with a differently shaped base. Sold at auction 17 Nov 2018. | ![]() a50. White hop bine design on a green background similar to a36 above. Set of three. | ![]() a51. Wedgwood Jasperware, pale blue, 6" tall. White bas-relief of Polymnia the Muse and trees. No visible mark on base, c.1810. Photo courtesy of Alexis Antiques. |
![]() a52. Wedgwood Jasperware, dark blue dip, 6" tall. White bas-relief of Euterpe & Melpomene, the Muses of Lyric Poetry and Tragedy. | ![]() a53. Wedgwood Jasperware, light blue dip, 6" tall. White bas-relief of Greek figures and trees. | ![]() a54. Wedgwood jasperware, blue dip with white bas-relief characters in Greek costume and trees. Curved profile. No markings on base. 17cm. |
![]() a55. Wedgwood jasperware, pale blue dip and white bas-relief showing a lady in Greek costume playing a lyre. No markings on base. c.1850. 6" x 2.25". Similar to my own Wedgwood examples (nos. 83-84 above). | ![]() a56. Wedgwood jasperware, pale blue dip with white bas-relief acanthus leaves and bellflowers. No markings on base. 6" x 2". Similar to my own Wedgwood examples (no. 82 above), but with a more rounded top. | ![]() a57. Wedgwood jasperware, dark blue dip with white bas-relief depicting a winged cherub playing pipes. 6.25". |
![]() a58. Wedgwood jasperware, dark blue dip with white bas-relief characters in Greek costume and trees. 5.5". Similar to my own Wedgwood examples (nos. 85-92 above). | ![]() a59. Wedgwood jasperware, dark blue dip with white bas-relief acanthus leaves and bellflowers. Same pattern as Nos. 82 & a56 above, but with additional bas-relief decoration around the top, which is also more rounded. Slightly curved profile. No markings on base. 6" x 2". | ![]() a60. Wedgwood jasperware, dark blue dip with white bas-relief acanthus or fern leaves and bellflowers. Curved profile. Stamped "WEDGWOOD" on the base collar. |
![]() a61. Wedgwood Jasperware, blue, 6.75" tall. White bas-relief of acanthus leaves and bellflowers. A pair, identical to mine shown at No. 82 above. | ![]() a62. Dudson pale blue Jasperware in the Wedgwood style, c.1880. Curved profile. White bas-relief of classical maidens and stylised floral columns. Single date letter "P" stamped on base. 14.5cm tall. | ![]() a63. Side view of a62. Photos courtesy of Moorabool Antique Galleries. |
![]() a64. Blue on white, depicting birds, flowers, and a butterfly on the reverse. 9" tall. Identical design to Nos. 3 & 4 above, although rather more faded. | ![]() a65. Reverse view of a64. | ![]() a66. Mounted handle with black abstract vertical lines on a brown background. Similar to Nos. 67 & 68 above. Has been adapted as a table lamp. |
![]() a67. A pair with hand-painted yellow, gilt and cream stylised floral design, identical to No. 8 above, except on a red background. | ![]() a68. Set of five mounted handles, alternating red and turquoise background with white hop-flower and bell-flower design. Similar to No. 8 above. | ![]() a69. A set of three mounted handles, red top & bottom with olive green centre separated by white banding. The beer engine is by Hargreaves & Bardsley of Oldham. |
![]() a70. Gold lattice gilding on a green background top and bottom, with a floral design, possibly hand-painted or more probably transfer-printed, in the centre on a white background. | ![]() a71. Reverse view of a70 showing a variation in the floral design. The letters OP are stamped on the bottom, which identifies the manufacturer as Ollivant Potteries Ltd, Stoke-on-Trent, and dates it between 1948-54. | ![]() a72. Set of 6 handles, each of a different colour and design, mounted on a mahogany base with original brass taps, c1880-90. |
![]() a73. Blue on white Willow pattern. Unlike the other examples shown above, this one has a "ball" type bottom end profile. | ![]() a74. Reverse view of a73. | ![]() a75. Coloured transfer-print showing a bird perched on a branch on a pink background, separated from the lower third having a plain blue background by white banding. |
![]() a76. What appears to be a hand-painted family crest (Brown/Styles?) on a plain white background. | ![]() a77. Hand-painted Fleur-de-Lys on a white background, probably paired with a76. | ![]() a78. Yellow & cream design on a red background. The greyish-coloured areas to the left and right were probably once gilded, but this has since worn away. |
![]() a79. Set of four mounted handles. Royal blue with white band containing white floral decoration, repeated on lower band with gilt background. Three circles of raised enamel and gold dots. Identical to my example 56 above, except that the blue is more intense/less faded than on the latter. | ![]() a80. Set of two mounted handles. Cranberry red with hop bine design in white and yellow. Identical to a.32 (i), and similar to 28 & 49 above. These can be dated fairly accurately, as the Gaskell & Chambers Dalex brass quadrants on which they are mounted bear the year stamp 1949. | ![]() a81. Pair of handles, one green, the other pink, containing a hand-coloured transfer-print that incorporates the rose, thistle, leek and shamrock. Identical design to nos 51 & 52 above. |
![]() a82. Green background with a round panel containing hand-painted flowers on a white background. Traces of what would have been gilded patterning beneath. | ![]() a83. Side view of a82 showing abstract patterning on yellow panels. | ![]() a84. Reverse view of a82 showing a different floral scene. |
![]() a85. A pair of handles: wheatsheaf on a green background, left, and daffodils on a pink background, right. | ![]() a86. Pink background with upper band containing hand-coloured transfer print of a pair of goldfinches perched amongst some poppies. | ![]() a87. Reverse view of a86 showing a robin perched amongst some Michaelmas daisies. Photos courtesy of All American Antiques. |
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