Pattern Book of Leeds Pottery
Leeds Pottery
(Leeds). (Hartley, Greens & Co.). 1794
Sold
Scarce early pattern book issued by the Leeds Pottery.
The first pattern book of the Leeds Pottery was isued in 1783 with 45 engraved plates (as well as a separate letterpress text) and further issues were published - with the plates unchanged - in 1785 and 1786. In 1794 an expanded edition was published with 71 engraved plates (as here), although the use of the plates from previous issues ensured irregular numbering; the plates are numbered 1 -60, 39 - 45 and 68 - 71, however the numbering of the items illustrated (1 - 221 and 1 - 48) is consistent.
Founded in 1770 (although other sources suggest the firm was in existence as early as 1750) by John and Joshua Green in partnership with Richard Humble, the Leeds Pottery, established itself quickly as the preeminent manufacturer of 'Creamware' (later to be known simply as 'Leedsware'), an earthenware ceramic made from white Cornish clay with a translucent glaze. The addition to the firm in 1781 of William Hartley caused the company to flourish and expand and between the mid-1780s and 1830 the firm manufactured and exported large quantities of Leedsware, to Europe, Russia and even the Far East. The publication of a number of pattern books by the firm is a measure of and contributed to that success.
'Readily seeing the great advantage which a permanent record of the shapes of ware made at the Pottery would be ... the firm, at an early period in their career, published a volume of engraved plates, upon which were shown the various shapes produced. The few remaining copies of the book which now exist show that an exceedingly limited number was printed ... '. (Kidson).
'One of the earliest pattern books published in England by pottery manufacturers for the use of their travellers, with illustrations of all the articles produced by the firm.' (Solon).
[See Kidson, Joseph R. & Frank, Historical Notices of the Leeds Old Pottery, pgs. 30 - 32; Solon 196].
The first pattern book of the Leeds Pottery was isued in 1783 with 45 engraved plates (as well as a separate letterpress text) and further issues were published - with the plates unchanged - in 1785 and 1786. In 1794 an expanded edition was published with 71 engraved plates (as here), although the use of the plates from previous issues ensured irregular numbering; the plates are numbered 1 -60, 39 - 45 and 68 - 71, however the numbering of the items illustrated (1 - 221 and 1 - 48) is consistent.
Founded in 1770 (although other sources suggest the firm was in existence as early as 1750) by John and Joshua Green in partnership with Richard Humble, the Leeds Pottery, established itself quickly as the preeminent manufacturer of 'Creamware' (later to be known simply as 'Leedsware'), an earthenware ceramic made from white Cornish clay with a translucent glaze. The addition to the firm in 1781 of William Hartley caused the company to flourish and expand and between the mid-1780s and 1830 the firm manufactured and exported large quantities of Leedsware, to Europe, Russia and even the Far East. The publication of a number of pattern books by the firm is a measure of and contributed to that success.
'Readily seeing the great advantage which a permanent record of the shapes of ware made at the Pottery would be ... the firm, at an early period in their career, published a volume of engraved plates, upon which were shown the various shapes produced. The few remaining copies of the book which now exist show that an exceedingly limited number was printed ... '. (Kidson).
'One of the earliest pattern books published in England by pottery manufacturers for the use of their travellers, with illustrations of all the articles produced by the firm.' (Solon).
[See Kidson, Joseph R. & Frank, Historical Notices of the Leeds Old Pottery, pgs. 30 - 32; Solon 196].
4to. (248 x 220 mm). Illustrated with 71 unsigned engraved plates, each plate with printed 'Leeds Pottery' iwithin a flourish, plates numbered 1 - 60, 39 - 45 and 68 - 71 (sheet size: 240 x 210 mm), the plates depicting more than 270 different ceramic objects, 2 large fold-out plates (sheet size: c.240 x 435 mm) on single sheets. Contemporary calf-backed marbled boards, endpapers renewed, banded spine in six compartments with remnants of black morocco title label with gilt title, spine and corners repaired, red speckled edges.
#39191
