Swift, Elkin & Nicholls
Swift and Elkin
John Swift
Swift & Brindley






 

Location and period of operation:

Swift, Elkin & Nicholls

Longton

c.1840

Sept 1840

Swift & Elkin

Longton

Sept 1840

Sept 1843

John Swift

Longton

Sept 1843

?

Swift & Brindley

Longton

?

Sept 1844

 

Earthenware manufacturers in Flint Street (off Stafford Street), Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, England.
  • John Swift was involved in a series of short lived partnerships. The original partners were John Swift, Samuel Elkin and John Nicholls.

  • In September 1840 it was announced that Nicholls had left the partnership and the business would be carried on by Swift & Elkin.  

  • In September 1843 Samuel Elkin left the business which was continued by John Swift.

  • Shortly after a James Brindley joined the business which operated as Swift & Brindley. James Brindley left the partnership in September 1844. 

  • The Staffordshire Advertiser of 14 September 1844 noted the sale of the potworks: 'Swift, Mr., Flint Street, Longton, auction of earthenware manufactory held by him' (Rodney Hampson).  

  • Swift was unable to meet all his debts and petitioned for insolvency. As of March 1845 he was recorded in the London Gazette as "John Swift, late of Wheat Sheaf-street, Longton, Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, out of business, previously earthenware manufacturer. - In the Gaol of Stafford"  

 



 

 

The London Gazette
29th September 1840
 


notice of the dissolution of the partnership 
of Swift, Elkin & Nicholls

The London Gazette
10th October 1843
 


notice of the dissolution of the partnership 
of Swift & Elkin

 

The London Gazette
13th September 1844
 


notice of the dissolution of the partnership 
of Swift & Brindley



 

 

Marks & initials used on ware for identification:

S & E

[the name of the pattern is often included]
[the initials are often in a flowing script]

 


S & E
Staffordshire Stone China

picture courtesy: Godden's Guide to Ironstone, Stone & Granite Ware 

- more on Stone China

 


 

JS

[the initials JS in a flowing script]

 


Romantic Staffordshire transferware plate by John Swift in the "Swiss Scenery" pattern
The white border of the plate is scalloped and decorated
with a band of tiny white dots in relief.  In the foreground is a Swiss Chalet.

The pattern was produced in red, blue and green


J S
Swiss Scenery
Opaque China
 

 

 


Questions, comments, contributions? email: Steve Birks