Dunn, Bennett & Co






 

Location and period of operation:

Dunn, Bennett & Co

Burslem

1876

1983

 

Manufacturer of earthenware and ironstone at a number of sites, originally in Hanley and then (from 1886) in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent. 



For over 100 years Dunn, Bennett & Co. played an important role in late-Victorian and 20th-century British ceramics by producing affordable, durable earthenware and ironstone that served both domestic needs and the expanding hospitality and export markets.

Their wares carried many popular transferware patterns and were exported widely - especially to North America and Australia- helping spread Staffordshire designs around the world and meeting demand for robust catering ware in hotels, ships and institutions. 

The Dunn, Bennett legacy continued via Royal Doulton Tableware and then Steelite International.

 

 

  • Dunn, Bennett & Co. was established in 1876 at the Boothen Works, Brook Street, Hanley, by William Dunn and his son-in-law William Wood-Bennett. Enoch Colclough was the "& Co"

  • In 1886 manufacturing was moved to the Hill Works in Liverpool Road, Burslem. 'Royal Victoria Pottery' was the trading name used by Dunn, Bennett & Co. when they took over the Hill Works. 

  • In January 1900 William Dunn left the business which was continued by Wood-Bennett and Colclough. The company name Dunn, Bennett & Co was retained. (London Gazette 2 Feb 1900).

  • In September 1905 Enoch Colclough left the business which was continued by William Wood-Bennett. (London Gazette 19 Sep 1905). 

  • 1907 Incorporated as a limited company:

"Dunn Bennett & Co., Ltd. — Registered capital, £11,000, in £10 shares. Objects : To acquire the business carried on at the Royal Victoria Pottery, Burslem, by Thomas W. Bennett as Dunn Bennett & Co., and to carry on the business of manufacturers and decorators of and dealers in china, porcelain, earthenware, stoneware, terra cotta, parian, marble, and other goods, &c. Registered office. Royal Victoria Pottery, Liverpool-road, Burslem, Staffs." (Pottery Gazette and Glass Trade Review, January 1 1908, p75)

  • 1914 directory listing for Dunn Bennett - "Manufacturers of hotel china. Specialities: patent unchippable surface plates and dishes chiefly adapted for use in hotels, cafés, hydros, clubs and on board ship; tea and coffee pots, vegetable dishes, meat dishes and factors of glass tumblers, decanters, wine glasses etc. Employees 500." (Whitaker's Red Book of Commerce or Who's Who in Business, 1914)

  • Around 1937 the business moved to the Dalehall Works, Burslem and the Hill Works were taken by Wade, Heath & Co. 

  • Dunn, Bennett & Co Ltd 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. 

Company officers: 

  • In 1947 the Managing Director is listed as A. G. Bennett. (Pottery Gazette Reference Book Directory  (PGRBD) 1947, p20)

  • In 1951 the company officers were listed as: Chairman of Directors - A. W. Bennett; Managing Director - A. G. Bennett; Sales Manager - C. H. Wood; Works Manager - E. N. W. Bennett. (PGRBD 1951, p57)

  • By 1956 E. N. W. Bennett was listed as Works General Manager. (PGRBD 1956, p59)

  • By 1960 A. G. Bennett was listed as Chairman and Joint Managing Director and E. N. W. Bennett was listed as Joint Managing Director and Works General Manager. (PGRBD 1960, p59)

Acquisition by Royal Doulton: 

  • In 1968 Dunn, Bennett & Co Ltd became part of the Royal Doulton Group joining Doulton Fine China Ltd (both producing hotel and catering ware).

  • In 1983 Royal Doulton Tableware sold its vitrified hotel ware businesses (Dunn-Bennett and Steelite) to a management buy out.

  • The last occupied works (Dalehall Works) of Dunn Bennett became the site of the new Steellite hotel ware manufacturing and warehousing site. 

 

 

 

Works occupied by Dunn Bennett:- 

 

Boothen Works, Brook Street, Hanley:  1878-87

The Hill Works, (Royal Victoria Works) Burslem:  1887 -1937

The Dalehall Works, Burslem:  c.1937-1998

 

 

 

 

The London Gazette
2nd February 1900

 
notice that William Dunn had 
left the business 

"NOTICE is hereby given, that the Partnership which has for some time past been carried on by William Dunn, Thomas Wood Bennett, and Enoch Colclough, under the style or firm of Dunn, Bennett and Company, at the Royal Victoria Works, Burslem, in the county of Stafford, in the trade or business of Earthenware and Ironstone Manufacturers, has been dissolved by mutual consent as and from the date hereof. 

All debts respectively due to and owing by us the undersigned as such late partners as aforesaid will respectively be received and paid by the undersigned, Thomas Wood Bennett and Enoch Colclough, who will continue to carry on in partnership at Burslem aforesaid, under the style or firm of Dunn, Bennett and Company, the business above mentioned.—
Dated this 27th day of January, 1900."

WILLIAM DUNN.
THOMAS WOOD BENNETT.
ENOCH COLCLOUGH.

 The London Gazette
19th September 1905


notice that Enoch Colclough had 
left the business 


"DUNN, BENNETT, AND COMPANY.
NOTICE is hereby given, that the Partnership here-tofore subsisting between us the undersigned, Thomas Wood Bennett and Enoch Colclough, carrying on business as Earthenware Manufacturers, at the Royal Victoria Pottery, Burslem, in the county of Stafford, under the style or firm of "Dunn, Bennett, and Co.," has been dissolved by mutual consent as and from the 30th day of June, 1905. 

All debts due to and owing by the said late firm will be received and paid by the said Thomas Wood Bennett.—
Dated this seventh day of September, 1905.


T. W. BENNETT.
ENOCH COLCLOUGH.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Dunn, Bennett & Co.
 Boothen Works, Brook Street, Hanley
manufacturers of earthenware of all descriptions, including Dinner, Toilet, Desert and Tea
ware, Metal Mounted Stone Jugs and Teapots; Jet Teapots, Jugs, Vases, &c., suitable for Home, Colonial, American
and Indian Markets

 The Pottery Gazette, American and Canadian Edition, January 1st 1880

 



Dunn, Bennett & Co.
 Royal Victoria Pottery, Burslem (late of the Boothen Works,  Hanley)
manufacturers of 
Earthenware of all descriptions, suitable for Home, Colonial, American and Indian Markets
New and Registered Designs in Toilet and Dinner ware; also Ironstone China, especially adapted for
Ships, Hotels, Restaurants and Coffee House use.

 The Pottery Gazette Diary 1896



Liverpool Road
Burslem 



Dunn, Bennett & Co., china
and earthenware manufacturers,
Royal Victoria Pottery

from..... 1907 Staffordshire Sentinel 
'Business Reference Guide to The Potteries, Newcastle & District'

 

 

The British Exhibits at
The Brussels Exhibition - 1910
 


Dunn Bennett & Co., Ltd., Burslem & London

"Dunn Bennett & Co., Ltd., Burslem, have a distinctly useful exhibit in their single case of china and earthenware, specially adapted for use in hotels, restaurants, cafes, steamships, &c. 

The Spécialité "Unchippable surface dinner plates," &c. (originated and invented by this firm), is in use all over the world, as is shown by the many badges on the specimens displayed. 

Although the ware is notable and serviceable, the aesthetic element has not been neglected, and many of the decorations are highly artistic. A view of the firm’s extensive works is placed in a prominent position."

The Pottery Gazette and Glass Trade Review, August 1 1910, p891

NOTE: at this exhibition Dunn, Bennett & Co Ltd were awarded a Silver Medal. 

 


Factories


The Hill Works 1886-1937
 Dunn Bennett traded here as "Royal Victoria Pottery"



The Dalehall Works 1937-83

 

 


Plate in the ORIENTAL pattern 

this transferware pattern is in the aesthetic style

produced at the Boothen Works, Hanley 

c.1876-86 

 
D. B. & Co 

ORIENTAL is the pattern name - the mark includes a stereotypical Japanese woman with faux characters

 

 

 

 

 

 


D. B. & Co 

c. 1886-91

early marks at the Hill Works incorporated a Bee Hive
(often used to indicate industry)

Dunn, Bennett & Co - wash bowl & jug in the ARGOSY pattern  

photos courtesy: Alan Williams

 

 

 

 

 


Real Ironstone China
Dunn Bennett & Co
Burslem
England 

Ironstone catering ware supplied for the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company, Burma

Wikipedia article

c.1876-1907

photo courtesy: Bob Hudson (jug found in junk shop in Mandalay)

 

 

Dunn Bennett & Co
Manufacturers

In 1907 Dunn Bennett & Co were incorporated as a limited company and marks were generally in the style "Dunn Bennett & Co Ltd" - the assumption is that marks without the "Ltd" are 1886-1907

 

 


Property of 
G. W. RLY
Return to
Paddington Station 

GWR (Great Western Railway) catering ware was produced by various manufacturers, including Dunn Bennett & Co in Burslem. 

Generally dating back to the 19th or early 20th century 
Dunn Bennett & Co
Manufacturers
Burslem

photo source: EBay market place

 

 


milk jug with mongram  

the design features black transferware detailing featuring a Greek key-inspired geometric border and a delicate floral swag

 


Dunn Bennett & Co
Manufacturers
Burslem

photos courtesy: Sian Smith
creamer - New Victoria Hotel

in the late 19th, early 20th C there were a number of 
New Victoria Hotels across the world - 
the precise hotel is uncertain


Vitrified
Dunn Bennett & Co
Manufacturers
Burslem
England

the bee hive mark was introduced c.1886 

photo source: EBay market place

 

 



canteen plate produced for the 
Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand Limited

 


the 7:46 is the month/year of manufacturer
i.e. July 1946

photos courtesy: Anne Ratcliffe

 

 


Ships canteen ware supplied by Dunn Bennett 
for use on the British Tanker Company ships
Made by
Dunn Bennett & Co Ltd
for
McSymon & Potter


This plate was found during a dive in Falmouth Harbour, Cornwall, England.

McSymon & Potter were Ship Chandlers of Glasgow.

The initials B.T.C. are those of the British Tanker Company (the forerunner of BP) which was formed in 1915. The logo with the lion passant was used from 1927 to 1954. 

 

 

photo courtesy:  Kym Parry

 

 


Mumbles Railway & Pier Company
1889 

badged dinnerware produce to celebrate the formation of the Company in 1889  
Dunn Bennett's Patent
Unchippable Surface
Burslem 

The Swansea and Mumbles Railway, located in South Wales, UK, was the venue for the world's first passenger horsecar railway service (1807)

In 1889, a new company, the Mumbles Railway & Pier Company, was incorporated to extend the railway beyond Oystermouth to a new pier close to Mumbles Head. 
The first section, to Southend, was opened in 1893 and the remainder, including the pier, in 1898.

Wikipedia article - Swansea and Mumbles Railway

photos courtesy: Graham Fox

 

 

 

 

 

Canteen ware produced for the British Government 


canteen ware - tureen  
with the Royal Cypher  GR VI 
 George VI the King of the United Kingdom
Dunn Bennett & Co Ltd
Burslem
England
1938
W

photos courtesy: Nick Coviello

 

also see example made by Ashworth & Bros

The tureen shown was produced for and supplied to the British Government; it was ultimately property of the Crown/Government, hence the GR-VI cypher.

Dunn Bennett (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 ‘W’ within the diamond most likely relates to the products being commissioned and produced for the Office of Works (until 1939) and the Minister of Works (post 1940). This mark is there to distinguish the piece from being normal ‘utilitarian’ ware for public sale or belonging to anyone organisation. 

 

 

 

Marks and initials used on ware for identification:


D. B. & CO.

 

D. B. & CO. LTD
"LTD" sometimes used from 1907 onward

 

 The Pottery Gazette Diary 1917 & 1921

"Purchased the business of Bodley and Son" 

 

 

marks listed in Godden

 Encyclopedia Of British Pottery And Porcelain Marks, Geoffrey A. Godden (1964, revised 1991)

Godden lists four marks for Dunn Bennett & Co (Ltd)


mark show in Godden:   

 

D. B. & CO.
Godden ref:  1421  1422  1423  1424 
Godden comments:  "Distinguishing initials found on several printed marks of different design, c.1875-1907"  "The basic mark shows a beehive, as no. 1422. 
"Ltd" may occur from 1907 onwards"		 "Printed mark, 1937-"  "Printed mark on wares made of Ironstone body, 1955-" 

observations:
(not from Godden) 

D. B.& Co initials in a design (NOT a beehive) are from 1876 1886

D. B.& Co initials with a beehive are from 1886 to the late 1920s

this mark was introduced when manufacturing moved to the Dalehall Works 

Factory occupied:

Boothen Works, Hanley

Royal Victoria Pottery
(Hill Works)

Dalehall Works 

Dalehall Works 

 


Boothen Works, Hanley

c.1876 to late 1886


D. B. & Co 

produced at the Boothen Works, Hanley 

 

 

marks incorporating a beehive

c.1886 to late 1920s

In 1886 manufacturing was moved from the Boothen Works, Hanley to the Hill Works in Liverpool Road, Burslem. 

'Royal Victoria Pottery' was the trading name used by Dunn, Bennett & Co. when they took over the Hill Works. 

They used a beehive as their mark, along with the initials D. B. & Co - often the pattern name was included. 

The beehive was a picture of industry and cooperation - this mark appears to have first been used by Samuel Alcock at the Hill Works and  marks incorporating a bee was used by successive manufacturers. 

 


D B & Co
RdNo 63747 

The registration number 63747 was for a pattern registered on the 16th December 1886 to Dunn Bennett & Co at the Boothen Works, Brook Street, Hanley 

 
D B & Co 



Trade Mark
D B & Co 



D B & Co 
ENGLAND

 

 

this plate is impressed with the month:year of manufacturing - 06/01 (June 1901)

Imperial Semi China
Trade Mark
Dunn Bennett & Co
Burslem
England

 

 

marks with Royal Victoria Pottery

 late 1920s to 1937

'Royal Victoria Pottery' was the trading name used by Dunn, Bennett & Co. when they took over the Hill Works in 1886. 

From the start they used a beehive as their mark along with the initials D. B. & Co. 

In the late 1920s marks started to be used with the Dunn Bennett name in full, rather than initials and the name of the Royal Victoria Pottery. A crown was included in the mark.

This style of mark continued until 1937 when the business moved to the Dalehall works.

 

some ware is impressed with the month:year of manufacturing
this is useful as it shows the type of marks that were in use at the time  

 


Dunn Bennett & Co Ltd
Royal Victoria Pottery
Burslem
England

Reg No. 607058

impressed 7:28
(July 1928)

The registration number 607058 shows the pattern was registered in 1912


Vitrified
Dunn Bennett & Co Ltd
Royal Victoria Pottery
Burslem
England


impressed 7:29
(July 1929)


Dunn Bennett & Co Ltd
Royal Victoria Pottery
Burslem
England

PATENT
impressed 2:31

(February 1931)

 

 

marks used at Dalehall

 1937+

In 1937 the business moved to the nearby Dalehall works and the use of "Royal Victoria Pottery" ceased. 

 


Dunn Bennett's Patent
Unchippable Surface
Burslem
Dunn Bennett & Co Ltd
Burslem
England


PATENT
impressed 7:46

(July 1946)

 


Dunn Bennett & Co Ltd
Burslem
Made in England


     

 


Dunn Bennett & Co Ltd
Burslem
England
1938
W

mark on canteen ware - most likely for the British armed services



2nd June 1953 

Vaux Breweries was a major brewer and hotel owner based in Sunderland, England.

This ashtray was produced for them by Dunn Bennett - it was to commemorate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
Dunn Bennett & Co Ltd
Burslem
Made in England

"Issued by Vaux Breweries Sunderland" 

 

 

 

 

Vitreous Ironstone

 1955+

In 1955 a mark was introduced with the "Vireous Ironstone" wording. 

 
impressed 2:63
(February 1963)
printed 2-69
(February 1969)

NOTE: The date on this mark was after Royal Doulton took over the Dunn Bennett business in 1968

   Vitreous Ironstone 
Dunn Bennett & Co Ltd
Burslem
Made in England

         

 

A member of the Royal Doulton Group

 1968-1983

In 1968 Dunn, Bennett & Co Ltd became part of the Royal Doulton Group joining Doulton Fine China Ltd (both producing hotel and catering ware).

NOTE: for around a year after the take over the 'Vitreous Ironstone' of Dunn Bennett continued to be used. 

In 1983 Royal Doulton Tableware sold its vitrified hotel ware businesses (Dunn-Bennett and Steelite) to a management buy out. The use of the Dunn Bennett name ceased. 

 


Vitrified Hotel Ware
db
Burslem 
England
Dunn, Bennett & Co Ltd
A member of 
the Royal Doulton Group

printed 1-72
(January 1972)

'ROCKLITE' is probably a trade name
Vitrified Hotel Ware
db
Mad in England
Dunn Bennett
A member of 
the Royal Doulton Group

The small dots beneath the mark are generally understood to be year-of-production indicators within a repeating cycle, They functioned as an internal manufacturing control code


 

 

Questions, comments, contributions? email:  Steve Birks

 


Page History:

Page created 20 October 2014

Updated 6 October 2022: Examples of typical ware added.

Updated 16 August 2023: Introduction expanded, examples of GR VI canteen ware added.

Last updated: 6 March 2026: Marks section greatly expanded, examples of ware from the 1876 to 1907 period added.