Blisworth Tankard

We appear to need some help with this item; a Miss Hedger who lives in Spencer Bridge Road, Northampton has presented us with a glass tankard bearing the inscription "A Present from Blisworth" which was handed down by Abel Hurst, brother-in-law of Arthur Robinson who lived on the Courteenhall Road, at one time in number 33 and much later at the Bridge Cottage by the "Black Bridge".

Arthur came from Milton Malsor as did "Pip" Robinson whom it is believed was Arthur's nephew.  Arthur worked as a groom for the doctors at Grafton Villa - both Doctors Richardson and Jeffreson.  Later he worked as a gardener at Collingtree Grange, home of the notable Mr. Phipps (brewer, pub owner and mining investor).

The problem is who had the tankard, or a batch of tankards, made - and when?  We have enquired with anyone still alive who once ran a shop in the village, with no success.  Although it is a plain glass tankard, about ½ pint size and formed by molding, the inscription is cut by wheel and an abraider and is done rather well.  The base of the tankard has the simple message - "PATENT  6937".  The picture below, formed from a series taken as the tankard was turned, gives a reasonable idea of its appearance.  Now it's up to you readers to identify the source . . .  A Google search for the patent number provides the one lead and it is useful; in about 1887 a girl, Elizabeth Haswell, born in Newcastle was given a Christening Mug with her name and birthday etched onto it.  It surely looked just like our Blisworth tankard, though we have no proof of that, and that means we need to think in terms of Blisworth shops, or a shop at "The Railway Hotel Gardens", taking advantage of the tourist trade brought by the railways ca. 1880 to 1900.  Blank mugs were probably made in Birmingham or Staffordshire and then shipped out throughout the country to high street engravers.