Thomas Crapper
born in Thorne -
Yorkshire
1836
1881
Thomas Crapper & Co
Ltd. is incorporated,
based at Marlborough
Cottages, Chelsea.
1888
The company receives
its second patent for an
improved waste trap.
The company supply
more bathroom
products for
Sandringham House,
following a
devastating fire and
extra accommodation
being built.
The Marlborough works are sold
and a large extension is built onto
the back of 120 Kings Road for use
as a factory and warehousing.
1870
Thomas created the
world’s first bathroom
showroom in Marlborough
Road, Chelsea.
Thomas Crapper
& Co Ltd. receives
its first patent
for ventilating
household
drainage.
1892
1893
Another patent, this
time for a foot lever
operated water closet.
1904
Thomas Crapper
retired and sold
the business to
his nephew
George Crapper
and business
partner Robert
M Wharam.
1920s
1861
1900
1942
1969
The assets of Boldings
Group (including
Thomas Crapper & Co
Ltd.) are purchased by
Mr Stephen Cowell.
1999
Simon Kirby re-launches
Thomas Crapper & Co
Ltd. with a striking range
of authentic products.
2005
Tim FitzHigham, the celebrated
British comedian and author, rows
the channel in a Thomas Crapper
bathroom. A limited edition WC pan
is created in honour of the fact.
2016
Thomas Crapper & Co Ltd.
is purchased by Hartford
Holdings Ltd., a family
business based in
Yorkshire.
1911
The company
receives its fourth
Royal Warrant
from His Majesty
George V.
1937
2017
1853
Thomas is
apprenticed as a
plumber to his
brother George in
Chelsea.
1886
Thomas Crapper & Co Ltd.
were engaged by The Royal
Household to replace the
sanitaryware and drainage
at Sandringham House.
1886
Thomas Crapper & Co Ltd.
awarded its first Royal
Warrant as a result of the
work carried out at
Sandringham House.
1901
The company receives its
second Royal Warrant from
HRH Prince of Wales.
The company then receives
its third Royal Warrant from
His Majesty King Edward VII.
1907
Thomas Crapper & Co
Ltd. purchased 120
Kings Road, Chelsea
for a new bathroom
showroom.
1969-1998
The company lies
dormant under
the ownership of
Mr Cowell.
1914 -1918
The Great War.
1910
Thomas Crapper died
and is buried in
Elmer’s End Cemetery,
Beckenham, Kent.
1925
Robert M Wharam
Chairman of Thomas
Crapper & Co Ltd. is
appointed President
of the Royal Warrant
Holders Association.
39
38
The iconic 814
“valveless waste
preventer” toilet
cistern is introduced.
2000
2011
A Thomas Crapper toilet and washbasin are
installed in Westminster Abbey in time for the
Royal Wedding of HRH Prince William and The
Duchess of Cambridge. At a similar time, a
Thomas Crapper bathroom is installed in the
Royal Suite of The Goring Hotel prior to the
Duchess’s pre-wedding stay at the hotel.
Hatfield Church (close to
Thomas’s birth place of Thorne,
Yorkshire) installs a stained glass
window featuring a toilet to
celebrate Thomas Crapper’s life.
The new
management team
produce a new
brochure filled with
many new products,
all faithful to the
legacy and quality of
Thomas Crapper.
The company
continues to trade
from 120 Kings
Road building a
strong reputation
for high quality
products and
services.
RG Wharam inherits
the Company.
1963
When RG Wharam dies
leaving no heirs the
company is sold to
another London based
sanitaryware company
Boldings Ltd.
1998
Simon Kirby discovers
the Thomas Crapper
business still exists
and persuades Mr
Cowell to sell the
business.
O U R H I S T O R Y , O U R L E G A C Y , O U R P R I D E
Y O U R C H O I C E , Y O U R D E L I G H T , Y O U R S A T I S F A C T I O N
