Here’s an article called “Victorian loos can leave you feeling flush.” It’s from the Mail Online out of England, and it’s all about loos, or toilets if you live this side of the Atlantic.
While many styles of Victorian furniture have slumped in value in recent times, Victorian toilets “are now fetching thousands of pounds and being plumbed back into properties as prized period pieces.”
How do you like that?
Interestingly, the earliest toilets that are readily adaptable to modern bathrooms date to the 1880s. And the most valuable now are the ones decorated with prints such as flower arrangements.
This article is chock full of history.
Did you know that the toilet company Thomas Crapper & Co was established in 1861 and was purchased by a toilet collector named Simon Kirby in 1999?
Or that Sir John Harrington is credited with inventing the first flushing water closet, the “John,” back in the 16th century?
By the way, if you think you’re sitting on a goldmine, as the article puts it, make sure your Crapper doesn’t have a crack. It has to be in pristine condition to be worth a bundle.
You might also be able to find one of these unexpectedly valuable loos if you know where to look. But beware — you won’t be the only one looking for the John. These commodes are hot commodities.