W. T. Copeland & Sons was a prominent British pottery company founded in the early 19th century. It originated from the partnership between Josiah Spode II and William Copeland. After Josiah Spode's death in 1827 William Taylor Copeland took over the firm, and by 1847, the company officially became W. T. Copeland & Sons.

Based in Stoke-on-Trent, England, the company was renowned for producing high-quality earthenware, porcelain, and bone china. Copeland pottery continued the Spode tradition of crafting finely detailed and richly decorated ceramics, including tableware, ornamental pieces, and tiles. The firm remained a significant player in the British ceramics industry into the 20th century, eventually reverting to the Spode name in the 1970s.

• In 1833 William Taylor Copeland and Thomas Garrett formed a partnership to continue the business of the famous Josiah Spode. 

• After Thomas Garrett retired in 1847 William Taylor Copeland continued the business on his own account. 

• 1867 William T Copeland retired and his four sons William, Edward, Alfred and Richard took over the business which then traded as W.T. Copeland & Sons Ltd.

• 1875 Edward Capper Copeland left the business and in 1881 Alfred James Copeland also left the business. 

• 1895 William Fowler Mountford Copeland retired leaving the management of the business to the remaining son Richard Pirie Copeland and, on his death, by his son Ronald Copeland. 

• In 1932 Copeland acquired the china manufacturer Jackson & Gosling Ltd. and the merged companies were incorporated as W. T. Copeland & Sons Ltd. A.E. Hewitt, the former owner of Jackson & Gosling, joined Ronald and A. Gresham Copeland as directors of the company. 

• 1950 W. T. Copeland & Sons Ltd. sold Jackson & Gosling Ltd to Mr. Donald Poole (the former production manager of that company). 

• In 1966 the Copeland family sold the business which was acquired by the Carborundum Co. Ltd. The business continued to trade as W.T. Copeland & Sons Ltd. until 1970 when the new owners reverted to the original Spode name. 

Richard Pirie Copeland

head of W. T. Copeland & Sons
from 1895 to his death in 1913

Obituary
Mr. R. Pirie Copeland, J.P., D.L.

It is with deep regret that we record the death on Monday, March 3, of Mr. Richard Pirie Copeland J.P.. D.L., of Kibblestone Hall, Stone, Staffs., head of the famous firm of W. T. Copeland & Sons, Stoke- on-Trent. 

The deceased gentleman, who was in his seventy-second year, had been ailing for some eight months prior to his death, but towards the end of February he became much weaker, and expired between 1 and 2 o’clock on the date already mentioned, from exhaustion.

The late Mr. R. P. Copeland was born at Leyton, Essex, in the year 1841, and received his education abroad. In 1867, together with his three brothers, he was taken into the firm as a partner.

Alderman William Taylor Copeland, of whom he was the fourth and youngest son, died in the following year, and eventually the late Mr. R. P. Copeland became the sole proprietor of the business, and assisted by his sons sought always to uphold the traditions of the old-established and distinguished business to which it was his lot to succeed.

The deceased was well known in public life, and highly respected throughout the county. He was appointed a county magistrate in 1876, and occupied the chair of the Stone Bench of magistrates for a long time. He was also at one time a member of the old Stoke Town Council and succeeded the first holder of the office, Alderman William Keary, as Mayor. 

In 1903 he became High Sheriff of the county. At one time the County Council also claimed his attention, and altogether he did his best to fulfill his civic obligations. 

Latterly, however, the deceased led a more retired life, but up to within twelve months of his death regularly visited the factory in High- street

At 70 years of age the late Mr. Copeland was well and strong, and it was only during the last eight or nine months that his health took a downward turn which quickly laid him aside. 

The interment took place at Oulton Cemetery on Thursday, March 6, and was deeply impressive. The employees of the factory were represented by a goodly number of foremen and officials, and there were many beautiful floral tributes.

The deceased gentleman is succeeded in the business by his sons Mr. Ronald J. Copeland and Mr Gresham Copeland, who were taken into partnership some time ago.

The Pottery Gazette - 1st April 1913

Copeland  B

the letter B refers to the B recipe of the earthenware - this recipe was used about 1860 -c. 1895


J / 88

the impressed mark J/88 is the month/year of manufacture - in this instance January 1888

this bowl was made in 1893 with a pattern that was introduced in 1882 

hand painted marks - the 2 shows that this was an earthenware pattern, this pattern was first 
introduced in 1882
the mark below the number is most likely a 
decorators mark 

COPELAND I

impressed mark - the 'I' indicates the recipe for the body 

93 is the year of manufacture - in this instance it shows that the bowl was made in 1893 

W. T. Copeland & Sons
Stoke-on-Trent

this style of printed mark was probably introduced in 1869 

2 / 3162

hand painted pattern number - this pattern was first introduced in 1888

COPELAND B2

impressed mark - the 'B' body was cream coloured desert ware

M 90 is a date of manufacture - in this instance it shows that the plate was made in March 1890 

The impressed '24' is a workman mark

Typically, on this style of pattern the flowers are chrysanthemums which 
are believed to represent happiness, love, longevity and joy.

mark probably post 1890 

A
80 

in this example the impressed letter A above 80 gives a date of April 1880

The letter code for each month are:

J - January
F - February
M - March
A - April
Y - May
U - June
L - July
T - August
S - September
O - October
N - November
D - December