Swadlincote.
Swadlincote Potteries.—The works of Messrs. Sharpe, Brothers, and Co. were established, and erected, by the late Mr. Thomas Sharpe, in 1821, and were carried on by him, alone, as “Thomas Sharpe” until 1838, in which year he died. They were then continued by his brothers under the style of “Sharpe, Brothers, and Co.,” under which firm they are still carried on; the sole proprietor being the last surviving brother, Mr. Edmund Sharpe. The productions of the firm are the same as those of the general district, viz., the “Derbyshire Ironstone Cane (or Yellow) Ware” (a name by which this ware has for upwards of a century been known, and which is the speciality of the district); buff drab ware, fire-proof ware, Rockingham ware, mottled ware, and black lustre ware. In “Derbyshire Ironstone” plain and pressed jugs and mugs; bowls of various kinds; ewers and basins, tea-pots, cups, and jars of various kinds; beef, jelly, bread, stew, and other pans; and every description of household vessels are made, as they are also in the buff drab ware. In the Rockingham, mottled, and black lustre wares, tea and coffee pots in endless variety of patterns, “Bohemian,” “American,” “Rebecca,” “Shakspere,” “Fuchsia,” “Ivy,” “Chinese,” “Cottage,” “Mandarin,” “Royal Flute,” “Gipsy,” &c., &c.; pressed and plain jugs and mugs of good designs; and many other useful articles are made. Blue printed goods are also produced.
Among many ornamental specialities of these works may be named the “Toby Fill-pot” jugs, which are made in both coloured and Rockingham ware, on much the same model as the older jugs of that name; one is shown on Fig. [140].
Fig. 140.
Sanitary earthenware is a great speciality of these works, and is produced in cane-colour, white, and blue printed varieties, as well as, occasionally, of a highly decorative character. In these, plug-basins, closet-basins with Sharpe’s Patent Direct Action, requiring no fans, but acting on the principle of a hollow rim with graduated perforations; traps, cabinet wash-hand stands of excellent and convenient construction, and other articles, are extensively made. Besides the Home trade, Messrs. Sharpe export in large quantities to Canada, the United States, Nova Scotia, South Africa, New Zealand, India, Australia, Africa, the Sandwich Islands, Germany, Holland, Russia, Prussia, Hungary, &c.
The mark used by Mr. Thomas Sharpe was simply the name Thomas Sharpe, or T. Sharpe, impressed in the ware. That of the present firm is the monogram S. B. and Co. within a wreath of oak and ivy, and the words Sharpe’s Patent, as here engraved.
SHARPES PATENT
SB
Fig. 141.
Swadlincote Pottery.—These works were established in 1790 by the late Mr. John Hunt, of Swadlincote, and were, after his death, continued by Mr. Thomas Woodward, whose son, Mr. James Woodward, is their present proprietor. They were at first small, but being the first of the kind in the place soon got into repute, and fire bricks were constantly being fetched by cart to Leicester, Derby, Wirksworth, &c. Fire bricks, fire clay, for Sheffield steel works crucibles, and iron furnaces, were the sole productions till 1859, when the manufacture of sewage pipes, terra-cotta chimney-pots, vases, &c., was added, and since then marble, white, and cane-coloured sanitary earthenware has been introduced, and is largely made. In this department lavatory and closet fittings of every variety are produced. Some of the constructions are peculiar to these works, and are—especially the patent “Wash-out” arrangement,—in high repute. Majolica and Rockingham ware are also largely made. The mark adopted by Mr. Woodward is “the anchor, with a portion of cable twisted round it, forming a monogram of J. W.,” as engraved on Fig. [142].
TRADE MARK
Fig. 142.
Swadlincote Mills.—Established by Moses Cartwright about 1837, but now carried on by Mr. Edward Grice, who produces all the usual sanitary and terra-cotta goods of the district.
Waterloo Pottery.—This pottery was established by Messrs. Robinson and Rowley in 1815, and has been successively worked since their time by Mr. Robinson alone, Mr. James Staley, and Messrs. Staley Brothers. From these last the works passed in 1875 to Messrs. Mason and Adcock, the present proprietors. They produce, extensively, all the usual descriptions of Derbyshire cane ware, yellow ironstone, and buff, Rockingham, and mottled wares. No mark is used.
Old Midway Pottery.—Established many years ago by a Mr. Granger, these works passed from him to Mr. Richard Staley, sen., and they are now carried on by Messrs. Richard Staley, John Staley, and John Brookes, under the style of “Richard Staley and Sons.” The operations of the firm are confined to Derbyshire fire-proof cane ware, Rockingham ware, and buff ware; and in these they produce all the usual domestic and other articles. The mark is the name, with the word “Fireproof” added upon dishes, &c.