James Beech & Son

J Beech & Son

Longton

1860

1898

China manufacturers at the Albert and Sutherland Works, Sutherland Road, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, England. Note that there is some uncertainty as to the operation dates.

NOTE: Not to be confused with an unrelated company- James Beech of the Swan Bank Works, Tunstall.

In the trade directories the business is variously described as China Porcelain Manufacturers; manufacturers of 'superior china' in jugs, tea, breakfast and desert services for home and foreign markets.
1880 Kelly directory also records the company as "flint stone & potter's colour grinders" at the Albert Mills, Longton.
The 1879 and 1882 Keates directory notes the proprietor as Stephen Mear.

High Street and Sutherland Road

"Messrs. James Beech & Co., the present proprietors [1878], opened those works about 1846. They produce all the usual tea, breakfast, and dessert services in china of a more than ordinary quality, and in various styles of decoration.

They produce all the usual tea, breakfast, and dessert services in china of a more than ordinary quality, and in various styles of decoration.

They are also grinders of flint and stone for the trade." The ceramic art of Great Britain, Llewellyn Jewitt, 1878

"After the death of Mr Beech and his son, they passed to Stephen Mear, by whom they were carried on under the old title until about 1895." Revised by Geoffrey A. Godden, 1972

Beech & Son
Manufacturers of Plain & Decorated China, Etc.,
including
Tea, Breakfast, & Desert Services & Trinket Sets.
Special Designs for Home Trade, & all Foreign Markets throughout the World
Address: Longton, Staffordshire

James Beech & Son,
China Manufacturers, Albert and Sutherland Works,
Longton, Staffordshire Potteries

In my Art-survey, e'er the palm be won,
I take the premier firm, James Beech & Son,
Albert and Sutherland Works me now inspire,
The largest of their kind in Staffordshire;
They to the empire of the Arts attain,
Thro' ev'ry living land o'er ev'ry rolling main.
As China manufacturers their flame
Wraps the rapt nations in a solar flame;
And while their goods still of th' "commoner kind,"
A ready market thro' all countries find.
The mental majesty our house imparts,
Now bears their deeds up to the heights of Arts;
And thus the muse the laurel wreath confers
On the eminent China Manufacturers.

The Thirteenth Londoniad (Principal Establishments in the Potteries), 1866. pp 37
John Torrington Spencer Lidstone

trio in an Imari style pattern by James Beech & Son

- more on the Imari pattern -

J B
& Son

the initials J B are contained in a Stafford Knot with a crown above

the registration number 117960 shows that the pattern was registered on the 19th January 1889

trio in a pattern of blue flowers reminiscent of forget-me-nots and cornflowers

the registration number for this pattern is 219004 which shows that pattern was registered on the 25th September 1893

a trio with a stylised floral pattern an butterfly with gold banding and accents

J B
& Son

the initials J B are contained in a Stafford Knot with a crown above