ABSTRACT
The Victorian era may well be remembered by the cast-iron monstrosities which it produced. Street lamps, domestic fi replaces and railings were typical cast-iron products of that period. Most of these relics are gone – the railings fell victim of the need for steel during the Second World War – but many an industrial town still boasts an ornamental drinking-fountain in its local park, or a cast-iron clock presiding over the public conveniences (of similar period) in the town square, whilst it seems that the once despised blackleaded cast-iron fi replaces of my childhood are now regarded as being ‘ eminently collectable ’ .
