Beetle trap

Object/Artifact

-

Waterperry Museum

Name/Title

Beetle trap

Entry/Object ID

2025.1.138

Description

A circular disk with rotating blades/rocker plates on the top

Context

‘The Demon Beetle Trap. ‘The most popular trap in the world and the most effective trap in the world’. Large red sticker on the back proclaiming the details. Introduced in 1887 by manufacturers known for their jelly moulds! Originally had rough texture white paint to give the critters a grip.

Category

Domestic

Acquisition

Accession

2025.1

Source or Donor

Gordon Dempster

Acquisition Method

Transfer

Made/Created

Manufacturer

Joseph Sankey & Sons, Bilston, Staffordshire, UK

Date made

1870 - 1900

Time Period

20th Century

Notes

The firm started in the 1870s with a selection of sheet metal items and expanded to use nickel plate metal and tin. In 1890, Sankeys patented a process called 'Neptune Ware' in which tinplate ran through colour rollers to undercoat both sides. They produced a wide variety of products including ash-trays, bread baskets, candlesticks, cups, children's money boxes etc. Also at this time they produced more kettles than any other British company.

Dimensions

Depth

60 mm

Diameter

220.5 mm

Weight

290 g

Materials

Material

Metal

Material Notes

Non-ferrous

Location

* Untyped Location

WW shelf

Condition

Overall Condition

Fair

Web Links and URLs

Joseph Sankey & Sons