Tornographer (Engraver of Seals by Steam Machinery)

[Nickm]

I'm looking for any info about the occupation I found on some ancestors in  the 1851 to 1901 census. They were down in Newton Abbott, Devon. Luckily the Enumerator added the explanation of Tornographer as I cant find any mention of it anyhere.

I have a father and 2 sons listed as this occupation. Any info gratefully received!

[ricky1]

Hi Nickm

can you tell us what the census numbers are as I carnt see anything about a tornographer

ricky

[Nickm]

Hi Ricky
Here is the 1851. Its the same family/place in later ones as well
1851 - PRO Reference: HO/107/1871 555+6  Page:7/8
Address:   Courtenay St, Wolborough, Newton Abbot, Devonshire
Thomas  MARTIN      Head   M   36   M   Tornographer or Engraver of Seals by Steam Machinery. Master empl'g 2 men   Denbury-DEV
      

[ricky1]

Hi Nickm
Must admit I carnt see anything about it , when I google for it comes up with some urrr weird sites

ricky

[cheshiremog]

Hi
There is a mention of tornography on the Antiquarian Book Website below:-

http://www.ilab.org/db/books1397.html
Scroll down to:-

SHARP, Granville.
THE GILBART PRIZE ESSAY on the Adaptation of Recent Discoveries and Inventions in Science and Art to the Purposes of Practical Banking.


It looks like it was something to do with engraving wax seals for banking.

However the word tornography does not seem to be listed in the dictionary - perhaps it is an archaic word or was a short lived invention ?

Have you tried looking in the trade directories for Newton Abbot to see what firm he may have worked for ?

 mog

[Nickm]

Hi Mog, Thanks for this.
I did find them in a couple of Trade Directories, but they didn't say much...

Entry in Billings Directory of Devon - 1857 - "Martin, T. Engraver, Wolborough St" & "Engraver - Martin, Thomas, Wolborough St. (Ref: Westcountry Studies Library)

Slater's (Late Pigot & Co) Royal National and Commercial Directory - Newton Abbot - 1852-3 - "Tornographic Seal Engraver - Martin, Thomas, Courtenay St.  (Ref: Westcountry Studies Library)

It looks like they were early adopters of new technology and then seals went out of use, maybe? They used Tornographic in the earlier one, but just said Engravers in the later one. They were still saying that they were Tornographers in the 1891 and 1901 census, but maybe they were just using it as a clever word for Engravers.

Thanks for finding the above.
nick

[cheshiremog]

Hey Nick
I think I've found it ! Looks like your man in Newton Abbot was the inventor of tornography.
I have just also checked out 'google books'
I searched on 'engraving wax seals'
Up pops this link for 'Official & Descriptive Illustrated Catalogue' for the Great Exhibition in 1851. There is a paragraph which advertises Thomas Martin Newton Abbot manufacturer and inventor !
The link below should work- let me know how you get on

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=m0EhOAmDWLYC&pg=RA3-PA836&dq=engraving+wax+seals

[cheshiremog]

Is Thomas Martin your relative ?
If so you have an inventor in the family - how exciting !

I now see that all the exhibitors for the Great Exhibition 1851 are listed including many other trades.

I am going to post this as a new topic thread as other rootschatters may be interested - hope that is ok with you.

[Nickm]

Your a star!!!  Many thanks for this, its great!

We are a clever lot us Martins! Yes he is related, he is a brother of my Gt. Gt. Grandfather, Robert Martin. Robert left Devon in 1851/2 and came to Charlton in London. Robert and his sons were also inventors as I have found Patents at the British Library for them connected to Horse Hair Clippers. They manufactured these and later went into human hair dressing clippers.

I guess its back to the British Library to look for any patents for Thomas and his sons who also were Tornographers. And a look at the Newton Abbot papers to see if he got a mention for being athe Great Exhibition?

If you would like to start a new posting about the catalogue, thats fine by me.
Many thanks again!