Tile Kiln

Tile Kiln

Books and Ebooks by the Author

President McKinley Miniature Hat Sewer Pipe Sewer Tile Folk Art






A Miniature Clay Hat Celebrating the William McKinley Presidential inauguration in 1897.  Stamped around is the inscription, appropriately, "Mckinley's Hat" and with the remnants of a red ribbon. Guess what!  Amazingly, there is a FILM of Mckinley's parade!  Hmm...looks pretty crowded there Trump.  Maybe the attendees were secretly paid by George Soros!


McKinley was not allowed to serve his full term due to an assassination.  In fact, maybe the clay hat was produced then, to mourn the loss? 

As with all presidential terms, McKinley's run as President had ups and downs...but at least the wasn't Donald Trump.  Furthermore, his Vice President was the remarkable Theodore Roosevelt, who was twice the man of Mike Pence AND one with the insight to favor the environment for future generations. 

William McKinley souvenir Miniature Clay Hat Celebrating William McKinley inauguration (or passing?) 1897 - 1901.  Collection Jim Linderman

Sewer Tile Aquarium Castle Folk Art Stoneware Sewer Pipe Fish House





Sewer Tile Aquarium Castle Folk Art Stoneware Sewer Pipe Fish House!  Here are two questions for you. When and why did Sewer Tile Clay Factories start making fish castle decorations to be submerged into aquariums?  One source indicates they may have started in the 1800s (?) but that seems wrong to me.  The small, hobbyist aquarium did became popular around 1850, but Adamson omits any examples in his book.  I believe they are still being made (though not like the primitive, rudimentary pieces one might find.) 

Sewer Pipe Fish Castle for an Aquarium.  No date (1930?)  Collection Jim Linderman