Having taken into partnership his relative, Thomas Wedgwood, “who had been some years a faithful and industrious foreman in the manufactory,” in the Queen’s ware department, Wedgwood became more at liberty to prosecute his experiments. This Thomas married Elizabeth Taylor, of the Hill, Burslem, by whom he had issue Ralph (the head of the firm of “Wedgwood & Co.,” of the Hill Works, afterwards of Ferrybridge; inventor of the “Penna-polygraph,” the “Manifold Writer,” &c.; author of the “Book of Remembrance,” developer of his father’s invention of the Electric Telegraph, the “Fulguri-polygraph” as he called it; and a man of undoubted scientific attainments); John Taylor Wedgwood, the eminent line-engraver; Samuel; Thomas; Aaron; and Abner. Thomas Wedgwood, the partner of Josiah, a man of great acquirements, of high scientific attainments, and of intense business qualifications, died in 1788.
Agate and Porphyry Wares.
Queen’s Ware made at the Bell Works.
Queen’s Ware Centre.
Crabstock Red-ware Teapot.
Figs. 534 to 539.—Wedgwood’s Productions.
In 1766 Wedgwood produced his “basaltes” of “Egyptian,” fine black ware, which became so famous, and this was followed by his “Jasper,” “White-stone,” “Cane-coloured,” “Mortar,” and other wares. His various wares were thus described by himself:—
“1. A terra-cotta; resembling porphyry, granite, Egyptian, pebble, and other beautiful stones of the silicious or crystalline order.
“2. Basaltes or black ware; a black porcelain biscuit of nearly the same properties with the natural stone; striking fire with steel, receiving a high polish, serving as a touchstone for metals, resisting all the acids, and bearing without injury a strong fire: stronger, indeed, than the basaltes itself.