Photo of the Week
Potworks of the Week

Robinson and Leadbeater, Parian ware manufacturers

 

Robinson and Leadbeater - 1867 advert from Keates' directory

address is given as 'Near the Town Hall' - the works were at the corner of
Wolfe Street and Back Glebe Street which were just behind Stoke Town Hall.

states the firm is "Successor to Giovanni Meli" who was an eminent Italian
modeller who had been working as freelance in Stoke from around 1850. He supplied models
to the Copeland (Spode) works. Meli worked at the Glebe works and 
around 1865 sold the works to Robinson and Leadbeater. Meli returned to Italy

 

Robinson and Leadbeater - 1870 advert from Harrod's directory

In 1870 Robinson and Leadbeater purchased the Wharf Street Works from the Executors of Leveson Hill.
Hill was also a manufacturer of Parian Statuettes and the Wharf Street Works were minutes walk from
the Wolfe / Glebe Street Works. 

 

Robinson and Leadbeater - 1873 & 1875 advert from Keates' directory

 

Robinson and Leadbeater - 1879 advert from Keates' directory

 

Robinson and Leadbeater - 1882 & 1889 advert from Keates' directory

by this date Robinson and Leadbeater has left the Wharf Street works and concentrated 
manufacture from their Glebe / Wolfe Street Works

 

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Robinson and Leadbeater Parian ware bust of Queen Victoria
made for the 1887 Jubilee 

 

marking on the bust..
R&L      JUBILEE 1887       R J MORRIS SCUPTOR

picture of bust: angloboerwarmuseum.com 

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Robinson and Leadbeater - 1892 advert from Keates' directory

this advert states "Established 1850" - this is actually the date that Giovanni Meli started
his business - Robinson & Leadbeater purchased the works from him in 1865.
It was not uncommon for manufacturers to use dates from previous owners to 
give the appearance of longevity. 

 

 

Messrs. Robinson and Leadbeater, Wolfe Street, Stoke
A descriptive account of The Potteries (illustrated)
1893 advertising and trade journal. Page 76

this 1893 advert gives more detail on the business - it repeats the 'Established 1850' claim.
the article more clearly gives the location of the works as 'corner of Wolfe Street and Back Glebe Street' 

the article also refers to production mechanisation to reduce the cost - 
Robinson and Leadbeater were world leaders in the supply of Parian Ware statues and busts

 

Robinson and Leadbeater - 1900 advert from Kelly's directory

repeating the 'Established 1850' claim - this advert uses the same picture as the 1893 article

directory adverts courtesy: Staffordshire Potters - R.K. Henrywood

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contents: 2011 adverts