E Cotton (Elijah, Ltd)

Earthenware manufacturer at Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, England

Elijah Cotton started his business in 1880 at the Lichfield Street Works, Eastwood, Hanley.
He outgrew these works and in 1885 built the Nelson Pottery on the corner of Nelson Road and Commercial Road. This was a large works alongside the Caldon Canal, built on the site of a former pottery established in 1758.
The business continued to grow and acquired another works - an existing works on the corner of Broad Street and Victoria Road, Shelton.
Elijah Cotton died in 1895. It was later said of him that he was "a man of great individuality who, by his own efforts and the driving force of his strong personality, eventually became one of the leading manufacturers in the Potteries".
Elijah Cotton remained open during the Second World War under the Wartime Concentration Scheme - they were permitted to produce undecorated domestic ware. They also produced canteen ware for the British armed forces.
The business remained in the family and was run by Elijah's eldest son Edward and by 1956 was still actively run by one of Elijah's sons, Arthur assisted by his own son Nigel.

'Snowfern: A pattern to grace any table, looks expensive but is
most reasonably priced. A delightful white motif on a thames green
background. Available in tea and dinnerware etc.'

the date of manufacture was sometimes included
such as: 8-70
which gives the month/year the pieces was produced
i.e. August 1970.

BCM/NELSON WARE
Made in England

this BCM/Nelson Ware mark
appears in a 1947 directory

The mark shown indicates that the ware was produced for and supplied to the British Government; it was ultimately property of the Crown/Government, hence the GR-VI Cypher.

This mark is there to distinguish the piece from being normal ‘utilitarian’ ware for public sale during the period surrounding the Second World War.

Elijah Cotton (and others) were given government contracts throughout the late 1930s and into the 1940s (WWII) and produced canteen ware - most likely for the armed services.

The year of manufacturer is generally included.

NOTE: The letter 'C' designated the class under the Wartime Concentration Scheme.

Elijah Cotton Ltd
Staffordshire England
Lord Nelson Ware

1956+

Lord Nelson Pottery
England

1956+

The 1-78 is the month-year of manufacturer -
January 1978

although the advert says 'established 1758' Elijah Cotton actually started his
business in 1880. He opened the Nelson Pottery in 1885 on the site of a former
pottery works - it was these works that was established in 1758