Chapter VI (2)

Mr. James Edwards was entirely a self-made man, and was one of those bright examples of indomitable perseverance, unflinching rectitude, steadiness of purpose, and genuine benevolence, which crop up every now and then among our most successful manufacturers. Commencing simply as a thrower at Messrs. Rogers, he became a manager at Philips’s of Longport, and at John Alcock’s of Cobridge, then commenced business in partnership with John Maddock, and afterwards, in partnership with his brother Thomas Edwards, carried on business in Sylvester Square, Burslem, and next in partnership with Mr. John Maddock, in the same town. In 1842 he purchased the manufactory of Messrs. Rogers and Son, where he commenced entirely on his own account. By him the manufactory was considerably enlarged and extended; a flint-mill erected; new machinery of the most approved construction (including steam jiggers, lathes, jollies, throwing-wheels, and Needham and Kite’s patent pressing machines for preparing clay by filtration) put up, patent stoves and pug-mills erected, and the whole place so increased as to be enabled to produce fully six times the amount of ware it was capable of doing when he first entered upon it.

By these improvements much of the heavy drudgery of labour both to children and adults was saved. In these works, too, the whole of the rooms containing the machinery are heated by steam, and kept at one uniform temperature. To Mr. Edwards the white graniteware, which has now become so important a feature in the Pottery district, mainly owes its excellence; that made by him being considered to be all that could be desired by our transatlantic brethren, and to be the standard of perfection to which the aims of other houses were directed. In 1851 a medal was awarded to Mr. Edwards, and an additional certificate of merit, for beauty of form and excellence of goods exhibited. At the New York Exhibition they also received honourable mention, and in 1865 a prize medal was awarded for electrical, chemical, galvanic, and photographic apparatus in both ironstone and earthenware. Mr. Edwards, who had taken his son Mr. Richard Edwards into partnership, retired from the concern in 1861, and died, full of honours, as a magistrate and otherwise, in January, 1867,--one of his last acts of thoughtful benevolence being that of (only a few days before his death) sending to a number of his old workpeople at the manufactory cheques varying in amount from £20 to £100 each, according to each one’s length of service. The works are now carried on by Mr. Richard Edwards under the style of “James Edwards and Son.”

The productions consist of white graniteware for the American and steamship trade; ordinary earthenware for the home trade, in which all the usual services, &c., are made; Indian ironstone goods; and electrical, chemical, galvanic, and photographic appliances. These are all of the highest quality, and are much in repute. In “stone china,” which is of good firm semi-transparent quality, many excellent patterns are made. Among these are the “bishop,” “barley,” “mediæval,” “rope,” “tulip,” “scroll,” and others.

The marks used by the firm, June, 1842, are as follows. The royal arms above the name

STONE CHINA
JAMES EDWARDS & SON
DALE HALL

The same, with the addition, beneath, of the trade mark, a dolphin entwined round an anchor. The initials _J E & S_ in writing letters, surrounded by a circular garter bearing the words IRONSTONE CHINA.

The name J EDWARDS & SON surrounded by an oval garter bearing
DALE HALL
the words IRONSTONE CHINA. And Dalehall surrounded by a similar
oval garter bearing the name JAMES EDWARDS & SON. An impressed
mark of EDWARDS is also used.
D H

* * * * *

_Dale Hall Brick and Tile Company._--These works belong to the Brownhills Pottery Company (see page 288, _pcst._) and produce all the usual classes of plain and ornamental goods.

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_Dale Hall Tile Works._--These Tile Works are carried on by Mr. James P. Basford, whose grandfather, above half a century ago, worked the same field of clay. His productions are all the usual classes of plain and ornamental tiles, bricks, &c.

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_Albert Street Works._--These works were established by Mr. John Hawthorne in 1854, who continued them until 1869, when they were taken by Messrs. Wiltshaw, Wood, & Co., and are now carried on by William Wood & Co.; they were among the earliest in this branch of trade. The goods made are door plates, lock furniture, &c., both in white, black, gilt, and painted; drawer, shutter, and other knobs in oak, white, black, &c.; bedstead vases; caster bowls; umbrella, walking-stick, sewing-machine, closet, and other handles; inkstands, bottles, and wells; highly decorated jam-pots and biscuit-jars for the table; match-pots; teapot and urn stands of various degrees of decoration, painted, gilt, and enamelled; and every description of china used by brass-founders, tin-plate workers, japanners, &c. Most of these articles are of good quality in body, and excellent glaze and finish, and the colours--white, black, ivory, oak, brown, turquoise, green, and blue--in which they are produced are clear and effective. The only mark used is W W & CO.

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_Mersey Pottery._--Established in 1850 by its present owner, Mr. Anthony Shaw. Goods specially adapted for the various American markets are made: the specialities being white graniteware and cream-coloured wares for the United States; the same with the addition of printed, lustred, and painted goods for South America, and printed for the colonies. In 1855 Mr. Shaw was awarded a medal at the Paris Exhibition. The mark used is the royal arms, with ribbon bearing the words STONE CHINA, and beneath,

WARRANTED
ANTHONY SHAW
BURSLEM

The works were rebuilt on a very extensive scale in 1866, and are looked upon as a model manufactory, in which are brought to bear all the latest improvements in the art of pottery.

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_Steel._--A manufacturer named Moses Steel had a potwork in Burslem in 1715, and made the ordinary clouded ware of the period. Another potter of the same name, probably his descendant, carried on business in the latter part of the same century; he produced a fine earthenware and an imitation jasperware. The works are still standing by Queen Street, and are known as “Bournes Bank.”

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_John Maddock and Son_ manufacture white graniteware for the American markets to a large extent.

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_New Wharf Pottery_--(Hollinshed and Kirkham, late J. Daniel & Co.)--Printed ware of the kinds required for the home, Russian, Italian, and French markets, and all the usual kinds of painted and Paris white wares suitable for the African, Australian, and American trades.

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_The Overhouse Works_--Wedgwood Place.--The old works, now, alas! taken down, were possessed of no ordinary degree of interest, from the fact of the “Overhouse,” the residence which closely adjoins them, having been the property and residence of Thomas Wedgwood, the eldest brother of Josiah Wedgwood (to whom Josiah was bound apprentice), and having been in the possession of the Wedgwood family for some generations. The old works were situated at the back and side of the “Overhouse,” with entrance in Wedgwood Place, where that street joins Scotia Road. A doorway, over which was a tablet, now no longer in existence, connected the works with the house. This historically interesting but now lost relic is represented by Fig. 407.

The Overhouse works were occupied, early in the present century by Messrs. Goodfellow and Bathwell, who were succeeded in turn by Mr. Edward Challinor in 1819, and later by Mr. Pointon. In 1856 they passed to Messrs. Morgan, Williams, & Co., and afterwards to Morgan, Wood, & Co., from whom, in 1861, they passed into the hands of Messrs. Allman, Broughton, & Co., and next to Messrs. Robinson, Kirkham, & Co.

In 1869 the old works were entirely taken down and a new and extensive manufactory erected with all the latest improvements of machinery and appliances; the jiggers all being driven by steam power, and the drying stoves heated by exhaust steam. The rebuilding is commemorated in ornamental scroll stonework over the entrance: “Edward Challinor commenced business here A.D. 1819, and rebuilt the premises A.D. 1869.” The new manufactory was opened in 1870 by Mr. Ralph Hammersley, who removed here from the Church Bank Pottery at Tunstall, and who had previously been engaged for twenty years or more with Mr. Challinor.

The goods produced are the ordinary description of earthenware in services of various kinds and in the usual classes of useful articles, which, besides a good home trade, are shipped in large quantities to the United States, Canada, and Sweden. Stoneware jugs are also produced.

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_Swan Bank Pottery._--These works have passed successively through the hands of Thomas Edwards; Messrs. Pinder, Bourne, & Co.; Messrs. Beech and Hancock (now of Tunstall); and Messrs. Hancock, Whittingham, and Hancock (now of Stoke). In 1873 they came into the hands of the present proprietors, Messrs. Tundley, Rhodes, and Procter. The goods produced are, and have been, printed, enamelled, and gilt earthenware, of the useful classes in all the usual services, &c., for the home, Russian, and South American markets.

_The Hill Top Pottery, or Hill Pottery._--These works, formerly belonging to Ralph Wood were for many years carried on by Messrs. Samuel Alcock & Co., by whom they were in 1839 rebuilt and enlarged; their rearranged manufactory comprising the works of Mr. Riley (formerly John Taylors), John Robinson and Sons, and William Taylors, which were all taken down for the purpose. The productions of Messrs. Samuel Alcock & Co. were, both in china and the finer descriptions of earthenware, of the highest quality, both in body and in decoration. One of their specialities was their semi-porcelain, which was of fine and durable quality. The marks,

ALCOCK AND CO.,
HILL POTTERY,
BURSLEM,

or S. ALCOCK & CO., either printed along with the name of the pattern or some device, or impressed in the ware. In 1860 the works and general estate were purchased by Sir James Duke and Nephews, and continued by them till 1865, when they sold the estate to Mr. Thomas Ford, who, in the ensuing year, 1866, sold it to the Earthenware and Porcelain Company, by whom (under the management of Mr. R. Daniel, once a noted china manufacturer at Stoke, Hanley, and Burslem) it was carried on under the style of the “Hill Pottery Company, Limited, late S. Alcock & Co.”

The productions of Sir James Duke and Nephews (Messrs. J. and C. Hill) were of a high order of excellence, in ordinary earthenware services, ranging from plain white and cream-coloured to the most superb styles of decoration; in china, which was of remarkably good quality; and in Etruscan wares. In the latter, some of the best forms of ancient Etruscan vases were cleverly reproduced, and the decoration, both in spirit and in style, artistically rendered. Some of the productions of this firm, who received well-merited distinctions at the Exhibition of 1862, are shown by Figs. 408 to 428.

The operations of the “Hill Pottery Company” were of short duration, for in the next year, 1867, it was put in liquidation and sold up, when the property again came into the hands of Mr. Ford. In the same year the works were divided, the china department being taken by Messrs. Alcock and Diggory, and the earthenware part by “Messrs. Burgess & Leigh (late S. Alcock & Co.),” by whom it is still carried on under the style of “Burgess, Leigh, & Co.”

Messrs. Burgess, Leigh, & Co. manufacture largely the commoner and ordinary, as well as the higher and more artistic classes of earthenware goods, both for the home and foreign markets, and their productions rank high in point of excellence of body, manipulative skill, and good taste displayed in decoration. The firm produce all the usual services, and useful as well as many highly ornamental articles. The mark used by the firm is a beehive on a stand, with bees, with a rose-bush on either side, and a ribbon bearing the name of the pattern (“Kensington,” for instance,) beneath, and under this the initials of the firm, “B. L. & CO.” Many of these patterns are registered.

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_The Hill Pottery China Works_, on the division of the manufactory as already stated, in 1867, were carried on by Messrs. Alcock, Diggory, & Co. In 1870, the firm was altered into that of Bodley and Diggory, but in the following year, Mr. Diggory having retired, the manufactory was continued by Mr. Edward F. Bodley. In 1874, the style was again changed to Bodley and Son, and in 1875 to that by which it is at present carried on, viz., Edwin J. D. Bodley. The productions formerly embraced china, earthenware, and Parian, but are now entirely confined to china. A speciality of Mr. Bodley’s productions is that of pans and vases for chandeliers and lamps. These are made of various forms, and more or less highly decorated; they form an important branch of manufacture. Services of all the usual kinds, more or less elaborately decorated, are also made. The markets supplied are the home and the South Australian, New Zealand, and Colonial.

The mark used by Messrs. S. Alcock and Co. at these works was a beehive; and that of Sir James Duke and Nephews the dexter hand denoting a baronet.

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_Crown Works._--Established about 1867 by Messrs. Lea, Smith, and Boulton, these works were next occupied by Mr. W. E. Withinshawe (see “Churchyard Works,” page 244, vol. ii.), and then by the present proprietors, Messrs. Gaskell, Son, and Co. The productions have always been china door furniture and similar goods (and these are now made of remarkably good quality, and in many cases of artistic design, by the present firm), finger-plates, knobs, scutcheons for doors, roses, caster bowls, and other fittings; scale plates and weights; stands and bases for lamps; an infinite variety of articles for fittings of many kinds--white, coloured, black, enamelled, gilt, &c., &c.; while the imitations of marbles, malachites, and other stones are remarkably clever and good. Another speciality of these works is umbrella, parasol, and walking-stick knobs, many of which, whether in imitation ivory or in dead black, evince great taste in design and skill in execution. Messrs. Gaskell and Son have taken out patents for the manufacture of caster bowls on an improved method, and another for improvement in turning.

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_Scotia Works._--This manufactory was originally the parish workhouse of Burslem, and was calculated to accommodate three hundred inmates. On the establishment of unions, under the Poor-Law Act, when the new union workhouse was erected, this building was occupied as barracks, and so continued for some years. It was then converted into a manufactory by Mr. James Vernon in 1857, and he, in 1862, was succeeded by the present firm of “Edward F. Bodley & Co.” At these works the usual descriptions of earthenware, printed, enamelled, and gilt, and “ironstone china,” for steamship and hotel use, are made. The bodies and glazes, which have been considerably improved by the manager, Mr. Edward Beardmore, of Rode Heath, are, through his attention and skill, of a very high quality. The mark is the Staffordshire knot, with the words SCOTIA WORKS.

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_Queen Street Works._--Messrs. Tinsley and Bourne entered on these works in 1874. They were formerly occupied by Mr. J. Edge and others.

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_The Hill Works_, on the opposite side of the road to the “Hill Pottery” already described, are of old foundation, and were, I am informed, worked by Enoch Wood (see page 273); Mr. Wood here growing, it is said, considerable quantities of “Siberian crabs,” which trees he planted in successive terraces. The works were also, I believe, at one time carried on by Ralph Wood, a member of the same family. He was a master potter in Burslem in 1787, and a very interesting relic connected with him is now in the hands of Mr. Thos. F. Wood, of this present firm of Wood & Baggaley. It is an iron tobacco box, bearing, engraved on its lid, the words, “_Ralph Wood, Potter, Burslem, Staffordshire_, 1787.” This box was given by this Ralph Wood, whose name appears upon it, to the grandfather of its present owner. About 1768, John Robinson, who before that time was with Sadler and Green, of Liverpool, left their employ to commence here the making of enamelled ware. In the Mayer Museum is a teapot made by him, and painted by Letitia Marsh (afterwards Mrs. Brood), who worked for him. It is of “squeezed ware,” and was given to Mr. Mayer by Dr. Simeon Shaw. After Wood’s time the works were carried on by Mr. Taylor, and next by Messrs. John & Richard Riley (who removed to them from the Nile Street works), by whom they were rebuilt, in 1814, and who produced china and earthenware and Egyptian black ware. They next passed to Messrs. Alcock & Keeling; and, on the retirement of the latter, to Messrs. Samuel Alcock & Co., who, having rebuilt and enlarged the “Hill Pottery,” removed there as already detailed. About 1851, Messrs. Barker & Son took the “Hill Works” for goods for the home and foreign markets. On their failure they were, in 1860, succeeded by Messrs. Morgan, Wood, & Co., which firm was afterwards altered to Messrs. Wood & Baggaley, the present occupiers. The goods made by Messrs. Wood & Baggaley are generally confined to the home market; they produce printed and decorated goods in dinner, toilet, tea, and breakfast services, and green glazed dessert ware, which, to some extent, they export. The mark used by the firm is a bee, with wings expanded; beneath which is a ribbon, with the initials, M W & CO, or W & B.

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_Sylvester Pottery_, Nile Street, belonging to Charles G. Barker, produces the ordinary white granite ware for the United States, Canadian, and other foreign markets.

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_High Street Pottery._--This manufactory, usually known as “Union Bank,” through its having been for some time worked by the Potters’ Trades’ Union, belonged at one time to a family named Marsh; and was also carried on by Messrs. Whittingham, Ford, & Co., from whom it passed into the hands of the present proprietors, Messrs. Buckley, Wood, & Co. The goods produced are ordinary earthenware for the common home trade, and the mark used is simply the initials B W & CO.

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_Sneyd Pottery_, Albert Street.--These works were formerly carried on for the production of ordinary earthenware, by Messrs. Bennett. About 1867 they came into the hands of Williams, Oakes, & Co., and in 1876 the firm was altered to Oakes, Clare, & Chadwick, who produce in Rockingham, jet, majolica, and common earthenware, the ordinary classes of articles. They also make chest of drawers feet in large numbers, of various designs.

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_Hadderidge Pottery._--These works, carried on by Mr. Thomas Heath, and afterwards, successively, by Mr. John Wedgwood, Mr. Phillips, and Messrs. W. & G. Harding, came into the hands of the firm of Heath & Blackhurst in November, 1859, by whom they are still continued. The productions are a middle-class quality of earthenware, both plain and decorated, for the home trade. In this class all the usual table, toilet, tea, and other services, and a variety of other articles, are made. The mark is a garter, encircling the initials H & B.

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_Navigation Road._--The works of Mr. Edward Corn, erected some time back on what was a timber yard, and now carried on by Messrs. W. & E. Corn, are exclusively devoted to the production of white graniteware for the United States and other foreign markets.

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_Bleak Hill Works._--Messrs. Beech & Podmore, of the _Bell Works_ (which see), entered upon this manufactory in 1876. The works formerly belonged to Messrs. Moore Brothers, who produced the white graniteware for the American Markets, then successively to M. Isaacs and Son, Beech and Podmore, and Podmore alone. The goods now produced, besides tea and other services, are the ordinary marketable china and Parian chimney ornaments and toys, which are produced in large quantities both for home sale and for exportation to the United States, the East Indies, the Netherlands, and Australia. In Parian and “ivory body,” besides flower-vases and other small ornaments, some tolerably large groups have been produced; the “ivory body” possesses great softness in appearance, and is capable of being made largely available for ornamental purposes.

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_Sytch Pottery._--Of very old foundation, this was, many years ago worked by Messrs. Keeling. The “Sytch Pottery” passed successively into the hands of Mr. R. Hall and Messrs. J. Hall & Sons. About 1832, Messrs. Barker, Sutton, & Till took to the works; but at subsequent periods, Mr. Barker and Mr. Sutton withdrew from the partnership; and from 1850 it remained in the hands of Mr. Thomas Till, who has been joined in partnership with his sons, and the firm is now “Thomas Till & Sons.” The wares usually produced have been good middle-class earthenware; but the present proprietors have greatly improved the ware, and added other branches to their manufacture. Besides earthenware of the usual average quality--in which services and innumerable useful articles are made by them--Messrs. Till produce coloured bodies of various kinds (cane, sage, drab, and lilac); stoneware of a hard and durable kind for jugs, &c.; jet glazed ware; terra cotta; enamelled ware; and various coloured lustres. These are principally intended for the home trade. At the Paris Exhibition of 1855 the firm received a certificate of merit. The mark used is the name of the firm.

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_Kiln Croft Works._--These works are of old establishment. In or about 1800 they were carried on by a Mr. Handley, and in 1825, by Messrs. James and Thomas Edwards, who were succeeded by Messrs. Willett & Marsh. They were then continued by Mr. Marsh alone, and next by Messrs. T. & R. Boote, who were succeeded by the present owner, Mr. Henry Burgess. The goods produced are the usual quality of white graniteware, in services and various articles, for the United States and Canadian markets. The mark is the Royal Arms, with the name or initials of the firm.

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_The Albert Pottery_ was built in 1860, by Mr. William Smith, of Tunstall; on whose failure in 1862 it was taken by Messrs. Dix & Tundley, of Silverdale, for the production of foreign-trade goods. In 1864 the works were purchased by the late Mr. Charles Hobson (who had originally been apprenticed to Mr. Williamson, the predecessor of the Davenports, at Longport), and successfully carried on by him until his death, in 1875. Mr. Hobson was then succeeded by his two sons, George and John Hobson, by whom they are continued. By Mr. Hobson the works were considerably enlarged. New biscuit ovens were added, and flint and colour mills, steam slip-house, pug mills, and sagger makers’ mill, built. The productions of the firm are now confined to the home trade, and consist of the usual services and other articles, in ordinary earthenware, both white, printed, lined, enamelled, and gilt.

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_Waterloo Works._--These works were established about 1846 by Mr. James Vernon; then continued under the style of James Vernon & Son; and are now carried on by the son, Mr. James Vernon, jun., for the manufacture of ordinary earthenware for the South American and Italian markets. On this same site a manufactory was at one time carried on by Mr. Jonathan Leak, a clever potter, who after some strange vicissitudes went to Sydney, where, after a time, discovering a valuable bed of clay, he established the first pottery in Australia. He married a niece of Enoch Wood.

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_Central Pottery._--These old-established works, the property of Mr. Alcock, of Bradwell Lodge, and carried on by his son, Mr. Richard Alcock, were formerly worked by Messrs. Hopkin & Vernon, next by Messrs. Hulme & Booth, next by Thomas Hulme, and then by Messrs. Burgess & Leigh, who were succeeded by Mr. Richard Alcock, by whom they have been considerably enlarged, rebuilt, and remodelled. Earthenware for the home markets was formerly made, but the operations are now confined to white graniteware for the United States.

Other manufacturers in Burslem have been, Joseph Machin & Co.; Thomas Heath (probably of the same family as the Heaths formerly of the Cock-pit Hill Pottery, Derby); John Hall & Sons; J. R. Marsh; T. & B. Godwin; J. Cormie; Messrs. Phillips, Dale Hall.

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_Longport._--(Davenport & Co.) The famous works of Messrs. Davenport & Son date back more than a hundred years, the centenary of their establishment having taken place in 1873. In 1773 a manufactory was erected at Longport by John Brindley (brother of the celebrated James Brindley, the engineer, both of whom were natives of Tunstead, in Derbyshire), who also built for himself a handsome residence near at hand. This house was purchased in 1843 for a parsonage for St. Paul’s, Burslem, and was again, in 1858, sold to Mr. W. Davenport. Shortly after 1773 Mr. Edward Bourne built another manufactory, and this was followed by a third, erected by Mr. Robert Williamson, who in 1775 married Anne (_née_ Henshall), widow of James Brindley, the engineer.

In 1793 the first-named manufactories passed into the hands of Mr. John Davenport, who greatly extended their operations. In 1797 Mr. John Davenport added to his other operations “the chemical preparation of litharge and white lead for the use of potters,” which, however, was afterwards discontinued. In 1801 the business of glass-making was added and is still carried on. In 1803 Mr. Davenport, supported by his neighbours at Longport, offered to raise, clothe, and equip, free of expense to Government, except arms, a volunteer corps of 500 men, and his offer was accepted, the number being limited by Government to four companies of 80 rank and file each. Mr. Davenport became Major of this force, and raised it to a high state of discipline. In connection with this it may be well to note that one of Mr. Davenport’s workmen at that time, and a member of his volunteer corps, was William Clowes, a nephew of Aaron Wedgwood, to whom he had been apprenticed. This William Clowes was a co-founder with Hugh Bourne of the now wide-spread sect of Primitive Methodists. About 1830 Mr. Davenport retired from active business, and chiefly resided at Westwood Hall, near Leek, where he died in 1848. The business was then carried on by the second son, Mr. Henry Davenport (who died in 1835), and the youngest son, Mr. William Davenport. Mr. Henry Davenport purchased the manufactory of Mr. Robert Williamson, and also his residence; these he enlarged and improved and added to his other works. In 1832 Mr. John Davenport was elected M.P. for the borough of Stoke-upon-Trent, being one of the first two members for that newly enfranchised borough. After the death of Mr. Henry Davenport the manufactories were carried on by his youngest brother, Mr. William Davenport, under the style of “W. Davenport & Co.” This gentleman died in 1869, and the entire business is now carried on by his only son, Mr. Henry Davenport, who fully sustains the high character of the works and of their varied productions.

King George IV., while Prince of Wales, in 1806 visited Messrs. Davenport’s works in company with his brother, King William IV., at that time Duke of Clarence. On the accession of William IV. to the throne his Majesty gave the order to this firm to manufacture for him a superb service, to be used at his coronation banquet. This Royal Service was completed in a very satisfactory manner, and was the subject of high commendation from the king and his noble guests on that occasion. On this service the crown was first used by the firm.

In the earlier years of the Longport manufactory, earthenware alone was produced, but no pieces of Brindley’s make are known. Mr. Davenport at first confined his operations to the manufacture of white, cream-coloured, and blue-printed wares, and these were of good substantial quality; his blue-printed plates with open-work rim of the same general character as those of the Herculaneum Works at Liverpool, are to be seen in most collections. Later on china was commenced, and at the present time this forms an equally extensive branch of the business with the earthenware. In both these, all the usual services and miscellaneous articles are produced, from the plain to the most elaborately decorated, both for the home, the continental, and the Brazilian markets; warehouses having been many years ago established by Mr. Davenport, M.P., at Hamburg and at Lubeck.

The china produced by Messrs. Davenport at the present time is of remarkably fine and good quality, both in body, in glaze, and in make, and in all these particulars ranks among the best produced in the district. Their tea and dessert ware is of extreme excellence, and many of the patterns are unsurpassed for richness of colouring and gilding by any other house. Among these specialities, their adaptations of the fine old Indian patterns, and such designs as gave so important a character to the productions of the old Derby works in their palmiest days, are especially good. The deep blues, the rich gradations of red, and the other colours employed, are in some of the patterns laid on with a lavish richness, and being combined with the most elaborate and delicate as well as massive gilding, produce intricate patterns of great beauty and of sumptuous appearance when “set out.” Some of the cups (notably those with sunk panels, and others which are bowl-shaped and supported upon gilt feet) are of elegant form, and are as faultless in manipulation as they are in decoration. In blue and white, whether in pencilled, ordinary transfer printing, or “flown” patterns, Messrs. Davenport are highly successful; and the blues they introduce have all the delicacy and purity of the best Oriental. The same remark as to purity and cleanness of tone will apply to their ground colours--the celadon and the rose du Barry--in both of which they produce charming but simple services, as they do also in white; in the latter the “potting” of some--approaching closely to egg-shell--is remarkably delicate and clever.

Another striking speciality of design in Messrs. Davenport’s china is the clever and artistic way in which they have adapted the old Willow pattern to the modern requirements of déjeuner services and menu holders. The forms of the various pieces composing the service are of quaint and striking elegance, and, being heightened by massively gilt handles, and by strictly appropriate gilding of borders, rims, feet and raised ornaments, an effect is produced which is surpassingly “taking.” The déjeuner of which I have thus briefly spoken is one of the most successful adaptations of the Willow pattern yet achieved.

In “stone china,” Messrs. Davenport’s dinner and dessert services, as well as jugs and other articles, are of faultless quality, and the styles of decoration, especially those which are adaptations--not servile imitations--of old Indian patterns, are remarkably good and effective. In some of these the spirit of the foreign artist has been so thoroughly caught, that, to the casual observer, they might well pass for genuine foreign pieces. The services in ordinary earthenware are extremely varied in pattern, in amount of decoration, and in variety of shapes; they are of good quality.

The marks used by Messrs. Davenport have been various, but almost in every instance the anchor has been the distinguishing characteristic; it is the trade mark of the firm. The crown was first used by them, on the Royal Service for William IV., and is now generally used on porcelain services. Figs. 429 to 436 are impressed marks.

The printed marks are, a circular garter, bearing the words DAVENPORT LONGPORT STAFFORDSHIRE, surrounding an anchor and the words “Stone China” in script. Another is a shield, with the words 30 CANNING PLACE LIVERPOOL 82 FLEET STREET LONDON encircled by a garter bearing the words DAVENPORT LONGPORT STAFFORD^{RE} and surmounted by the crest, an anchor on an heraldic wreath. Another has a circular garter, bearing the words DAVENPORTS & CO. surrounding the address, 82, FLEET STREET LONDON.

* * * * *

_Longport Terra Cotta._--At the 1851 Exhibition Mr. W. Marsh, (modeller at Davenports’) of Longport, exhibited a very successful example of terra cotta produced by him. It was a wine-cooler of bold and good design. It is engraved on Fig. 414. In the early part of this century Messrs. Samuel Marsh & Co. were manufacturers at Brownhills.

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_Brownhills._--About 1782 Mr. John Wood (son of Ralph Wood, of Brownhills, and Mary Wedgwood) built a manufactory, with house adjoining, on property originally belonging to the Burslem and Wedgwood families, which he had purchased of Thomas Lovatt. Here he carried on the potting business until his death in 1797, when he was succeeded by his son, Mr. John Wood, who continued it until 1830, when he took down the manufactory, enlarged the house, and extended the grounds.

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_Littler._--William Littler, of Brownhills, whose father had carried on a business as potter there, was the first man in Staffordshire who attempted the making of china ware. “He commenced business about 1745 when he attained his majority, and a few years afterwards removed the seat of his manufacture to Longton Hall, where he prosecuted his experiments with very good success, as regarded the beauty and delicacy of his china, but with disastrous results to himself, for he soon sacrificed his patrimony in the speculation, and was obliged to abandon it. The specimens we have seen of Mr. Littler’s china exhibit great lightness and beauty, and would certainly have won their way in after times. Mr. Littler had the merit of first making use of the fluid glaze which Mr. Enoch Booth afterwards improved upon.”--(_Ward._) Littler’s pot-works have long disappeared. Some specimens of Littler’s porcelain are preserved in private collections, and one or two are in the Hanley Museum; to one of these is attached the following note in Enoch Wood’s handwriting: “This was given to Enoch Wood by William Fletcher, in January, 1809.”

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_Marsh and Haywood._--This firm formerly carried on business here as manufacturers of general earthenware, as did also Mr. John Wood, at Highgate.

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_Brownhills Works._--These works (formerly Marsh and Haywoods) were for many years carried on by Mr. George F. Bowers, who attained a fair reputation for china goods, and gained a medal at the Exhibition of 1851. Subsequently he commenced the manufacture of earthenware, which he continued until his death, when he was succeeded by his son, Mr. Frederick F. Bowers. On his failure in 1871 the manufactory was purchased by Mr. James Eardley, of Alsager, and it is now carried on by his son and sons-in-law, Messrs. Alfred J. Eardley, Edwin Meir, William H. Bratt, Robert H. Parker, and George Hammersley, under the style of “The Brownhills Pottery Co.;” considerable alterations and extensions have been made in the buildings. The goods produced by the Company are of the usual useful classes of table, tea, toilet, and other requisites, in fine earthenware, stoneware, buff, turquoise, and cream-coloured ware; and in decorations of the fine earthenware services improvements have been effected by which the printing of enamel upon the glaze, and lining on the bisque, are effected. The last is produced at considerable less cost than enamel lines, and while making a tolerably near approach in point of colour, is more durable, because protected by the glaze. The body and glaze are of good quality, and the decorations, whether printed or painted, are of good average character. In dinner services some of their more recent patterns, are the “Premier,” “Pagoda,” and “Dragon,” which are produced both printed and enamelled; their most successful shapes are the “Bulrush,” “Laurel,” and “Boston.” In toilet ware their “Greek” shape, is remarkably good, and is made in various degrees of decoration. In stone ware, some excellent designs in tea-pots, jugs, &c., are produced, as are also jugs and other useful articles in cream ware; the adaptations of Japanese ornamentation in the former are highly successful. In jet ware, which is of good quality, tea-pots, jugs, and other articles are made, and some of those are highly decorated in enamel and gold; the firm also have a process of printing in yellow upon the glaze of their jet goods, which produces a cheap and somewhat effective class of decoration. Another speciality is a rich full deep-red terra cotta, highly glazed, and elaborately decorated in a variety of effective patterns in enamel and gold; in this, toilet services of good design and novel appearance are largely made. In ornamental goods the Company produce vases of various forms (notably among which are the “Hindoo,” “Milan,” “Pekin,” and other designs); scent jars, flower tubes, and stands, and other articles. The productions are of a good useful quality, decorated in a more than ordinarily artistic style; many of the designs (notably the “Briony” pattern toilet services, “Lorne” tea-pots, &c.) are good, and the colours faultless. The marks used, besides the name of the pattern, “Minerva,” “Link,” “Laurel,” &c., bear the initials B. P. CO., with ribbon, &c., printed on the ware.

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_New Bridge Works, Longport._--This manufactory, spoken of on page 283 as one of those carried on by Messrs. W. Davenport and Son, in 1877 passed into the hands of Mr. Edward Clarke, formerly of the Church Yard Works at Burslem, and of the Phœnix Works at Tunstall (both of which see), who removed thither from the last-named place. In that year Mr. Clarke took into partnership Mr. F. J. Emery, the inventor of the process of crayon drawing and painting on the bisque surface, referred to on page 295. Mr. Clarke, whose productions both at Burslem and at Tunstall are spoken of in other parts of this volume, produces the finest, hardest, and most durable earthenware in “white granite” for the American markets, where it takes and maintains the highest rank. He also produces all the usual services in various styles of decoration, for the home trade. The mark used by the new firm is the name “EDWARD CLARKE & CO.”

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_Waterloo Road Works_, established in 1820 (on the site of a very old pottery “on Bournes Bank,” afterwards worked by William Harrison) by Mr. Thomas Hughes (grandfather, of the present owner), and carried on by him and his successors, Stephen Hughes & Co., till about 1856, since which time they have been continued solely by the present Mr. Thomas Hughes, by whom the whole place has been enlarged, improved, and modernised. The manufactory is now considered to be one of the best arranged in the town. The goods produced are all the usual articles in the hard durable “granite” or so-called “ironstone china” for the American markets; they are of good quality, and are produced both light and heavy to meet various requirements. Goods are also, to some extent, produced for the home trade. The mark, stamped on the ware, is

THOMAS HUGHES
IRONSTONE CHINA

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_Cobridge Works._--The manufactory of Messrs. W. Brownfield & Son was erected in 1808, and from that time for a few years was worked by Messrs. Bucknall & Stevenson, and afterwards by Mr. A. Stevenson alone. In 1819 the works were closed, and afterwards passed into the hands of Mr. James Clews, who continued them until 1829, when they were again closed. His mark was a crown and his name, thus--

CLEWS
Warranted Staffordshire]

In 1836 the premises were opened by Messrs. Robinson, Wood, & Brownfield, and after Mr. Robinson’s death, in the same year, were continued by Wood & Brownfield. In 1850 Mr. Wood retired, and the business was continued solely by Mr. Brownfield (who died in 1873) until 1871, when he was joined in partnership by his eldest son, Mr. William Etches Brownfield, and from that time to the present the firm has been carried on under the style of “W. Brownfield & Son.” The goods produced during the earlier period of the works were the ordinary white, blue printed, and sponged varieties of earthenware. From 1850, when the works became the sole property of Mr. Brownfield, rapid strides were made in the improvement of the wares, and under the present firm they have become equal to any others produced. In earthenware, which, both in body and glaze, is of more than average quality, Messrs. Brownfield & Son produce white, printed, enamelled, and gilt wares, from the simplest to the more elaborate and costly patterns, in table, toilet, and dessert services, and all the usual articles for household use. Many of the printed patterns are well designed, and in the better classes of goods the enamelling and gilding are very effective. Some of the most successful are imitations of the grand old patterns adopted by Mason on his ironstone china. The stoneware jugs produced are a speciality of this firm, and take a foremost rank; in quality of body they are remarkably good; while in form, in modelling, and in decoration they are of equal excellence. The group Fig. 439 represents some examples from the Exhibition of 1862, where the firm, as well as at Paris in 1867, received a medal. Tea services, tea-kettles, tea-pots, flower-pots, vases, jardinière, trinket services, and other goods, are also produced in earthenware in every style of decoration. Notably among these is a remarkably well-designed and elegant strawberry tray, formed of shells and strawberry leaves, with a seated Cupid in the centre at the back; it is particularly artistic, both in composition, in execution, and in colouring.

In 1871 the manufacture of china was added to that of earthenware (new buildings being specially erected for the purpose), and the productions in this department have made rapid strides towards perfection. In china, dinner, tea, breakfast, dessert, and other services, jugs, and a variety of useful articles, as well as vases and other fancy goods, are produced. Messrs. B. & S. have, in this branch, produced some novel and very effective designs in dessert services, centre-pieces, fern and flower-stands, &c., and some of their vases are of the highest style of excellence. Notably among these is a pair of magnificent vases, exquisitely painted, with Etty-like subjects of “Morning and Mid-day.” These are among the highest achievements of modern Art. Among the minor pieces is an oviform vase representing the hatching of the egg. The body of the vase is true to nature in colour--that of a sea-bird’s egg; the handles are formed of the heads, and the bird’s legs and feet form the stand.

The mark of the firm upon the printed goods was formerly W & B, W B, or W B & S, in addition to the name of the pattern. The present mark on both earthenware and porcelain is--

The impressed marks are the Staffordshire knot (Fig. 442), enclosing the initials W B; and the name BROWNFIELD.

The firm does a large home trade, as well as an export one to Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Russia, Italy, Spain, Portugal, United States and other parts of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, and other countries. The manufactory is very extensive; upwards of five hundred persons being employed.

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_T. Furnival & Sons._--This firm (who occupy two old manufactories, viz., those formerly belonging to Adams and to Blackwell) has been established about thirty years, and ranks high as manufacturers of white granite and vitrified ironstone, and decorated toilet wares, for the United States and Canadian markets, to which they ship large quantities of goods, as they do also printed goods to the continental markets. For the home trade Messrs. Furnival & Sons produce, in their beautiful “patent ironstone,” dinner and other services of various qualities in point of decoration. Among their more recent “specialities” are dinner services, &c, of rich Italian design (made for Pellatt & Wood), plain white, with a china-like surface and glaze; the ornamentation, which is indented, is produced from an embossed mould, the lines being as fine and delicate as if cut in by the graver, so as to have the appearance of chasing; and the lines being filled with glaze the surface is still even. Other noted patterns are the “Dresden Flute” and “Lemon Knob” services. In crested services for the home markets a large and satisfactory trade is done. Another noticeable feature is the happy combination in services of transfer printing, hand painting, enamelling and gilding; some of the services, those decorated with grasses and insects especially, are of high artistic order, and show how advantageously the two processes can be combined. Our engraving shows a group of articles produced at that manufactory, which are remarkable for their elegant forms and for the simple beauty of their decorations. Another engraving exhibits a remarkably elegant flower-pot and stand, with relief figures and other decorations. But these are not a tithe of the beautiful articles produced by Messrs. Furnival. Among the more successful of their productions are the “Swan” and “Nautilus” toilet services, which are of great beauty. The body of the former ewer is oviform, with bulrush decorations in relief; the neck, mouth, and handle make a well-formed swan. These are produced in white, heightened with gold, and enamelled in colours. The “Nautilus” pattern has the mouth of the ewer formed of a nautilus shell and the handle of coral, while the decorations are sea-weeds, true to nature, both in modelling and in colour. The mark of the firm is simply FURNIVAL impressed in the ware.

In connection with these works Mr. F. J. Emery, the then cashier to the firm, introduced, a few years ago, a method of crayon drawing and painting on the bisqué surface of earthenware and china. This beautiful process, which is especially applicable to tiles for fire-places, &c., but is also admirably adapted for the decoration of ordinary articles, has become much in repute, and exquisite drawings have been made in it by some of the first artists of the time, as well as by lady and other amateurs. The bisqué articles, and prepared crayons and colours, were supplied by Mr. Emery, who afterwards became a partner with Mr. E. Clarke at Longport.

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_Bates & Bennet_ (formerly John & Robert Godwin), are manufacturers of general earthenware of ordinary quality, the principal productions being what is called “Imperial measure ware” for the home markets.

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_Abbey Pottery._--(H. Meakin, late Edward Pearson.)--These works were, it is said, established in 1703. White granite ware, for the American markets only, has of late years been produced.

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_Villa Pottery._--This manufactory for general earthenware was carried on at the beginning of the present century, by Mr. Warburton. From about 1835 it was carried on by Messrs. Jones & Walley till 1850, from which time, until 1865, Mr. Edward Walley continued it. In the latter year it passed into the hands of Messrs. Wood, Son, & Co., its present proprietors, who confine themselves to the production of plain white granite ware for the American and other foreign markets. The mark is the Royal Arms and name of the firm.

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_Cobridge Works._--Established in 1836 by Messrs. Wingfield Harding & Charles Cockson, under the firm of Harding & Cockson, who produced ordinary china goods. In 1856, on the death of Mr. Harding, the business was continued, until 1861, by his sons, W. M. and J. B. Harding, in partnership with Mr. Cockson; and from 1862 to 1865 by Mr. Charles Cockson alone, during the whole of which time china was produced. In 1866 Elijah and David Chetwynd became partners, the firm being then Cockson & Chetwynd. In 1873 Mr. Cockson died, and the business was continued by his widow under the same style till 1876, when the former retired, and it again changed to Cockson & Seddon. In 1866 the making of china was discontinued and the manufacture of white granite ware, for the American trade, substituted. The mark is the Royal Arms and the name “IMPERIAL IRONSTONE CHINA, COCKSON & CHETWYND,” or “COCKSON & SEDDON.”

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_Cobridge Works._--Messrs. Henry Alcock & Co., at these extensive works, which were formerly carried on by John Alcock, manufacture white granite ware exclusively for the American markets.

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_Elder Road Works._--This pottery has been worked by Messrs. Meakin & Co. since 1865, and is capable of turning out about 2,500 crates of ware annually. The productions are entirely confined to the white granite ware for the United States.

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_Warburton._--Pot works were established here by John Warburton very early in the last century; after his death they were continued by his widow, Ann Warburton. They are stated to have made white stoneware for Holland and the Continent, and to have ultimately brought over some workmen from Delft. Jacob Warburton, the son, succeeded to the business, and died in 1826, at the ripe age of eighty-four. His son, Peter Warburton, was one of the partners of the New Hall China Works (which see); to him is said by Shaw to belong the credit of printing in gold, and to his mother that of first using soda. In 1810, Peter Warburton took out a patent for “a new method of decorating china, porcelain, earthenware, and glass, with native, pure or adulterated, gold, silver, platina, or other metals, fluxed or lowered with lead or any other substance, which invention or new method leaves the metals after being burned in their metallic state.”

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_Daniel._--Ralph Daniel, a potter at Cobridge, employed in the early part of last century some workmen from Delft, and, to keep their process secret, started works at Bagnall for them. About 1743 he introduced the use of plaster of Paris moulds, such as he found were being used in France.

The potters at Cobridge in 1843 were Wood and Brownfield, John and George Alcock, Francis Dillon, Elijah Jones, Stephen Hughes and Co., Benjamin Endon Godwin, John Mayer Godwin and James Godwin, John and Robert Godwin, George and Ralph Leigh, and Coxon, Harding, and Co. Potteries also, early in last century, existed at Holden Lane, at Milton, and at Sneyd Green.

Other potters at one time or other at Cobridge are N. Dillon, R. Stevenson, Mansfield & Hackney, and Rathbone, Hill & Co.

Other manufacturers are W. E. Cartledge, Bournes Bank; W. Holdcroft; Hope and Carter; Thos. Hughes; Maddock & Co., formerly Maddock and Gater; C. Meakin; Oulsnam and Son; Pope and Co.; and Wade and Colclough.

In 1770 (Feb. 4th), the following Staffordshire potters signed an agreement as to prices:--John Platt, John Lowe, John Taylor, John Cobb, Robt. Bucknall, John Daniel, Thos. Daniel, junr., Richd. Adams, (Dr.) Saml. Chatterley, Thos. Lowe, John Allen, Wm. Parrott, Jacob Warburton, Warburton and Stone, Jos. Smith, Joshua Heath, John Bourn, Jos. Stephens, Wm. Smith, Jos. Simpson, John Weatherby, J. and Rd. Mare, Nicholas Poole, John Yates, Chas. Hassells, Ann Warburton and Son (T. Warburton), Wm. Meir. Other potters were Chas. and Ephraim Chatterley, W. Mellor, and Whithead.