James Beech






 

Location and period of operation:

James Beech

Tunstall & Burslem

1877

1889

 

Earthenware manufacturer at the Swan Bank Works, Tunstall and Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England.

NOTE: Not to be confused with an unrelated company - James Beech & Son of Longton.

  • James Beech was born in 1822 in Tunstall, the son of Joseph Beech, a warehouseman, and Mary Cumberlidge. 

  • James Beech was a partner in Beech, Hancock & Co., which operated Swan Bank Pottery in Burslem from 1851 to 1855. 

  • The partnership, renamed Beech & Hancock, reopened in about 1857 in Tunstall and operated there until 1876, the last six years at another works named the Swan Bank Pottery. 

  • James Beech became the sole proprietor of the business in 1877 and operated the Swan Bank Works under his own name from 1877 until he died in early 1887. The business continued until 1889 when it was taken over by Boulton, Machin & Tennant.  

Formerly: Beech & Hancock

Subsequently: Boulton, Machin & Tennant

 

 


James Beech
late Beech & Hancock
Swan Bank, Tunstall
Staffordshire

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

 

 

 
Transferware plate in the Saigon pattern

the pattern is in the aesthetic style 

 

 

  
Transferware plate in the Perak pattern

the pattern is in the aesthetic style 

 

 


platter in the Asiatic Pheasants pattern 

more on: Asiatic Pheasants
Asiatic Pheasants
J B & Co

the initials probably relate to 
James Beech & Co

 

 


platter in the Queen pattern 
the initials appear to be "J B & Co" and probably relate to James Beech & Co

photos courtesy:  Dean Kent

 

 


Pekin
J B

the Pekin pattern was originated by Beech & Hancock and
continued by James Beech 

 

 

Marks and initials used on ware for identification:

 

J B

JAMES BEECH

Generally appear with the 
trade mark of a swan

 


J. B.
J. B.
James Beech
Tunstall
England

 marks generally include the pattern name in a ribbon
and "TRADE NAME" with a swan mark

 

 


the initials appear to be "J B & Co" - the Swan Mark was used by James Beech and the initials probably relate to James Beech & Co
Asiatic Pheasants
J B & Co

the initials probably relate to 
James Beech & Co

 

Questions, comments, contributions? email: Steve Birks