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