China and earthenware manufacturers at the Gladstone Pottery, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, England.

• The site on which the Gladstone Pottery stands has been used for pottery production since the 1780s. Through a succession of owners the works were expanded and by 1876 had passed into the hands of Hodson & Co. It was around this time that the works were renamed after the famous British politician William E Gladstone who had laid the foundation stone of the Wedgwood Institute in Burslem in 1863. 

• Various sources give different dates for the start of this business. The Pottery Gazette directory entries (in the 1950s) for Gladstone China records.... "Estd. 1870" - is is quite possible that Richard Hodson had started potting here at that date before thebusiness became "& Co"

• The partners in Hodson & Co. were: Richard Hodson, George Proctor, William Mayer and George Woolley. Proctor was Hodson's son-in-law. 

• As well as manufacturing china and earthenware Hodson & Co. also ground 'Potter's Materials'

• Richard Hodson died in 1880 and the business was continued by the other three partners. The name Hodson & Co was retained for a few years. In 1883 the business was renamed Proctor, Mayer & Woolley.   

NOTE: Ware did not seem to have a makers mark 

Hodson & Co
China Manufacturers for Home and Export
Greek and Chelsea Shapes and Blue Figured on Paris and other Shapes
For India, Australia, Canada &c.
Open and Ball Sprig for Indian Market
specialities in
Views, Presents & Novel Trinket Services
works:- 
Gladstone Pottery, Longton, Staffordshire

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

the advert shows a "rather fanciful view of the Gladstone Works"