and to this Mr. Duesbury added the letter D
; and the mark now known as distinguishing the “Derby Chelsea” ware was thus—generally in gold. Examples of this period are of comparative rarity, and are eagerly sought after by collectors.
Fig. 45.
In 1772, in the very curious MS. “Lists of Gent., &c., in Derby, 1772,” in my own possession (a list prepared for official purposes over elections), are the following entries under “Southwark,” as that part of Derby was called. In one:—
| Duesbury, Mr. Wm | China Manufacturer. |
| Steer, Mr. John | At to China Manufactory. |
| Wood, Mr. Wm | Do. |
and in the other list:—
| Mr. Duesbury | China Manufacturer. |
| Mr. Wm Wood | Clerk to Do. |
| Mr. John Steer | Do. |
In June, 1773, Mr. Duesbury took the lease of premises (late the Castle Tavern) in Bedford Street, Covent Garden, for a warehouse for his Derby and Chelsea ware, and here, with this William Wood as his agent (afterwards succeeded by J. Lygo), he exhibited and kept a large stock of his manufactures, and carried on, in conjunction with his two works, a very thriving and lucrative trade. Here he issued a “List of the principal additions made this year to the new invented Groups, Jars, Vases, Urns, Beakers, Cups, Chalices, &., of Mr. Duesbury’s Derby and Chelsea Manufactory of Porcelaines, Biscuits, and China Ware, both Ornamental and Useful.” This “list” is printed in small quarto. Among the articles enumerated, one hundred and twenty-three in number, the following will be sufficient to show their beautiful and elaborate nature, and the amount of labour and artistic skill which they exhibited:—