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Latham's Spout And (Latex) Cup Holder Patent Drawing
This photograph of Mr Latham's original patent sketch is taken from Wee Kow Ngoh's later article entitled "A Collection of Old Latex Cups", in the Incorporated Society of Planters magazine of 1983.
Mr R M Latham was a well-known planter of Teluk Anson (now Teluk Intan) and his original article, published in 1921, was one of the earliest to be printed by the Society.
The sketch indicates quite clearly that both porcelain cups and breast shaped glass cups with well defined "nipples" were in popular use before 1921. It is therefore likely that both these styles of latex collecting cup date back to close to the beginning of the rubber industry in Malaya.
However, among our collection of artifacts we do have two examples of cups which we believe are even older than the above. These are triangular in shape at the top, made from a form of pottery and are clearly marked "Battersea Triangle, Made in England".
To read a summary of the article entitled “A Collection of Old Latex Cups”, click here.
To view an image of Two Old Pottery, Triangular, Latex Cups in our collection, click here.
To view an image of Two White China Latex Cups in our collection, click here.
To view an image of Two White, Breast-Shaped, Porcelain 'Nipple' Latex Cups in our collection, click here.
To read more about the history of Rubber Plantations and Tappers, click here.
To read more about actual Rubber Tapping and Production, click here.