Pulhamite

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Pulhamite was a patented anthropic rock invented by James Pulham (1820-98) of the firm James Pulham and Son of Broxbourne. Pulhamite was used to join natural rocks together or crafted to simulate natural stone features. The recipe went to the grave with him[1].

It is an artificial but very convincing sandstone. Considerable care was taken to simulate geological features such as bedding-planes, pebble-beds, shale layers (differentially eroded), rock-jointing etc.[2]

Distinguishing features of Pulhamite exposures, include[3]:

  • The constructions saw an extensive use of clinker and builders' rubble onto which the pulhamite cement mix was poured sculpted.
  • The predominant effect sought was always a gritty sandstone.
  • There was a high standard of workmanship to create as realistic an appearance as possible.

[edit] References

  1. ^ The Pulham Legacy
  2. ^ Sowan, P W (2002), Pulhamite found in Croydon! Croydon Natural History and Scientific Society Bulletin, issue 115
  3. ^ Robinson E. (1994) The mystery of Pulhamite and an 'outcrop' in Battersea Park. Proc. Geologists' Association, 105(2), 141-143.

[edit] External links

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