Ripley Museum Acquires Woman’s Four-Decade Bedpan Collection

Mary Jacobs, a 77-year-old resident of Newmarket, Suffolk, is divesting herself of a collection of 177 bedpans accumulated over four decades. Her pursuit began in 1984 with the purchase of her initial bedpan for 50p at a jumble sale. Earlier this year, she decided to sell the collection, having already sold two items destined for a private exhibition at Peterborough Cathedral this spring. Mrs. Jacobs has since sold 163 of these items to a museum located in America. Additionally, 12 bedpans she had initially planned to retain are now also slated for sale. “They’ve all gone to America,” she informed BBC Radio Suffolk. “I have still got 12 left which were very specials ones, ones that were very rare to see.” She further stated, “But I’ve now decided that my 12 bedpans have got to go along with my 58 urine bottles.” The bedpans were acquired by a Ripley Museum, described as a history and artefacts museum with multiple locations, and were collected on Monday. The two bedpans sold earlier this year were purchased by Julie Stevenson, 53, a councillor based in Peterborough. Ms. Stevenson is known for collecting Shelley ware, produced by the acclaimed Staffordshire pottery company which ceased operations in 1966. She discovered that Mrs. Jacobs’ collection included two Shelley bedpans. In March, Mrs. Stevenson’s Shelley collection, incorporating these bedpans, is scheduled for display in a private exhibition at Peterborough Cathedral. Regarding the remaining 12 bedpans, Mrs. Jacobs highlighted their unique characteristics. She elaborated, “Of the ones I kept, one has got a name in it with the Lord Derby War Hospital from Warrington.” She added, “Another one, which is a round one – which is rare – has got Nurse Richards written on it.” When questioned about continuing to collect various items, Mrs. Jacobs confirmed she had concluded her collecting activities.