Hello there,
First post on this board
. I'm working on a dissertation about tenement tiles in Shawlands and Langside. Unforutunately, there's not a whole lot of "academic" literature about tiles, most of it is collector literature, focusing more on the monetary value rather than the cultural importance or their uniqueness. It's been great seeing some of these pictures, and I even recognize a couple of these closes (especially the ginko-leaf dado and candelabra work one from Yorkhill!).
As to how to locate replacement tiles, you'd do well to try Craven & Dunhill Tile Manufacturers in Jackfield, in the Ironbridge Gorge in Shropshire. They make reproduction tiles of their original designs. The vast majority of these tiles came from England, with the exception of J. Campbell of Glasgow, and most of his stuff is in Dumbarton, with a few examples in Pollokshields (the few examples that do remain are absolutely stunning though!). The major English manufacturers were Minton (more for encaustic tile floors rather than the wall tiles, but they did produce some), Craven & Dunhill and Maw & Co. The problem is that the glazes aren't necessarily uniform between batches, much the same as with fabric dye lots, so even if you get one that's the "right" colour of Victorian White, it could be slightly off.
In conclusion...if anyone knows of tiles being removed or otherwise destroyed (replaced, painted over, whatever), could you please e-mail me through my account so that I can document them before they're lost? I'd really appreciate it. If you've got any additional information or questions for me about tiles, please, share!