Description: From the frontispiece of John Knowles and Co. (Wooden Box) Ltd catalogue. The company was founded in 1849. John Knowles and Company were manufacturers of high grade stoneware pipes. The catalogue gives examples of 'Vitrifine' salt glazed stoneware pipes and also ironwork for the sanitation industry. John Knowles began mining fireclay, producing firebricks which were sold to iron and steel producers and a railway company before turning to the production of high grade stoneware pipes using the surface or shallow clays. He opened an office in London in 1863. John Knowles died in 1869, the business being carried on by his widow until her two nephews John and William Hassall took over the management in 1870. 'Wooden Box' was the original name for Woodville.