Sealed and Delivered

in the Presence of

Samuel Astbury.

Abner Wedgwood.

Fig. 524.—Fac-simile of Signatures to Wedgwood’s Indentures.

Facsimiles of the autograph signatures of Josiah Wedgwood; of his mother, Mary Wedgwood; his brother, Thomas, to whom he was bound; his uncle, Samuel Astbury (husband to Elizabeth Wedgwood, his father’s sister); and his brother or uncle, Abner Wedgwood, are given in Fig. [524]. The indenture is endorsed “Josiah Wedgwood to Thos. Wedgwood. Indenture for 5 years. November 11th, 1744.” Of the Churchyard Works a view is given on page 244.

In 1749 Josiah Wedgwood’s apprenticeship expired, but he probably remained for some time in the employ of his brother. He next went to Stoke, where he lodged with a mercer, Mr. Daniel Mayer, and commenced making imitation agate and other knife-handles, and in 1752 entered into partnership with John Harrison for the manufacture of the same kind of goods (see page [232]). Two years later both Wedgwood and Harrison entered into partnership for a term of five years with Thomas Whieldon, at Fenton Low, as already spoken of under the head of those works (which see). At the expiration of the five years, namely, in 1759, Josiah Wedgwood returned to Burslem and commenced business on his own account; first, there is reason to believe, at the “Churchyard” Works, and next at the Ivy “House” (Fig. [368]), which he rented from his relatives of the “Big House.” Next, he entered upon another manufactory, the “Bell Bank,” or “Bell Works” (Fig. [367]), as it became called, and thus carried on their pot-works at the same time. Here he produced his famous “Queen’s ware,” which earned for him the appointment of “Queen’s potter,” which was thus brought about.

In 1762, on the occasion of the accouchement of Queen Charlotte, Wedgwood, having by that time perfected the body and glaze of his fine cream-coloured ware, presented to her Majesty a caudle and breakfast service of his manufacture, which was graciously received. This service, which was of course made of the finest and best cream-coloured quality which could be produced, was painted in the highest style of the day by the first artists of the works, Thomas Daniell and Daniel Steele. The ground of this service, which was prepared with all the skill the art would then admit of, was yellow, with raised sprigs of jessamine and other flowers, coloured after nature. The Queen received this tribute of an infant art, and was so pleased with it that she at once expressed a wish to have a complete table service of the same material. Wedgwood submitted patterns for the several pieces, “which were approved, with the exception of the plate, which was the common barleycorn pattern, then making by all the salt-glaze manufacturers. Her Majesty objected to the roughness—the ‘barleycorn-work’ as it is called—and therefore this part was made plain; on the edge was left only the bands, marking the compartments; and being approved by her Majesty, the pattern was called ‘Queen’s pattern.’” The ware was at once named by Wedgwood “Queen’s ware,” and he received the Queen’s commands to call himself “Potter to Her Majesty.” On the service being completed the King gave Wedgwood his immediate patronage by ordering a similar service for himself, but without the bands or ribs. This alteration in pattern was “effected to the entire satisfaction of his Majesty,” and some little alterations being made in the forms of some of the other pieces, it was called the “Royal pattern.” The patronage thus given was of incalculable benefit to Wedgwood, to the district around him, and indeed to the whole kingdom, for it opened up a source of wealth to thousands of people, and was the means of extending commerce to a marvellous extent. Orders for the new kind of ware flowed in upon him in a regular and constantly increasing stream, and at prices which were then considered liberal or even high. It is recorded that at this period he received at the rate of fifteen shillings per dozen for table plates, and for other pieces a proportionate price. The tide of fortune which thus had set in upon him was immensely increased by his subsequent inventions, and ultimately swept him from his small manufactories at Burslem to the colony he established a few miles off at Etruria. The other most usual form of plate in his Queen’s ware was the “Bath” or “Trencher,” from its resemblance to the wooden platter or trencher, and this was succeeded by the concave rim, and other varieties. Wedgwood did not patent his inventions and improvements, and thus every manufacturer was stimulated, and a host of Queen’s or cream-ware makers soon, sprang up. When he “discovered the art of making Queen’s ware,” wrote Wedgwood himself, “which employs ten times more people than all the china works in the kingdom, he did not ask for a patent for this important discovery. A patent would greatly have limited its public utility. Instead of one hundred manufactories of Queen’s ware there would have been one; and instead of an exportation to all quarters of the world, a few pretty things would have been made for the amusement of the people of fashion in England.” Some of his Queen’s ware Wedgwood had decorated with transfer printing by Sadler and Green of Liverpool, as already noted under that head. This is alluded to in the “Burslem Dialogue:”—