William Christie

WILLIAM CHRISTIE, Tobacco-pipe Manufacturer, Craignestock Street, Calton, Glasgow.

    Among the smoker’s paraphernalia the clay pipe, though the least expensive of articles, will, no doubt, long continue to hold its place of honour with the connoisseur. In porosity and lightness it is equalled, perhaps, by none except the most costly meerschaum. The above pipe factory, which we propose taking for the subject of this brief sketch, is one of the most celebrated in Scotland, and enjoys a widespread reputation.

    The business was founded in 1857 by Mr. William Christie. The pipe factory is to the front and consists of four flats fitted up with every appliance for preparing, moulding, and firing pipes. Steam power is used for driving the machinery, and some forty hands find employment in the several departments. A large cupola, or kiln, constructed on the most approved plan, forms one of the most striking features of the place, and is equal to a turn-out of 54,000 pipes per week. Over 400 patterns are made.

    Mr. Christie, in addition to his large business as a pipe manufacturer, carries on an immense trade in his New Patent Household Cleaning Stone, which seems destined to completely supersede the natural and unprepared clay, which was hitherto the sole material available. The great demand for this speciality proves that it has met a public want. The department dealing with its manufacture is to the rear of the pipe factory, located in a large building of two flats. Mr. Christie, in both sections of his enterprise, enjoys a valuable home and foreign connection and keeps three travellers constantly on the road. The business is ably conducted and is certain to be still further extended in the by no means distant future.

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