Flushed With Pride: The Story of Thomas Crapper

(Revised and Updated, 2009).

First published in 1969, this biography of Thomas Crapper was a best-seller and has been re-printed many times since. Written by the late Wallace Reyburn, O.B.E., it charts the life of Mr Crapper, the rise of his firm and the development of the flushing Water Closet in an engaging, informative and light-hearted style. The tale is told of how Mr Crapper started life in the West Riding of Yorkshire, became apprenticed to a plumber at the age of 12 and on completion he established his own business. Within a few short years he was manufacturing the finest sanitaryware and supplying the gentry, nobility and the royal family; his was the finest and most famous sanitaryware company in the Kingdom. Wallace Reyburn proceeds to describe the firm’s progress after Mr Crapper’s retirement, and the sad events of the 1960s. All through the book, the author provides context by giving the reader fascinating background information of a social nature, and sets the scene for each era covered. Unfortunately, a number of factual errors and typographical mistakes were contained within its covers. Furthermore at least forty years of additional history has passed since it was written. Therefore in 2009 the current Managing Director of Thomas Crapper’s original firm determined to revise the contents on behalf of the new publishers, the Polperro Heritage Press. He added a foreword, an obituary of the original author and a number of period illustrations from the company’s extensive archives. Finally he wrote an epilogue, continuing the story of Thomas Crapper & Co. Ltd. from 1969 to the present day, explaining how the business was saved from possible oblivion.

An essential accessory for every ‘smallest room’, this book is available from all good bookshops, or directly from us.