Swift and Elkin

Swift, Elkin & Nicholls	Longton	c.1840	Sept 1840
Swift & Elkin	Longton	Sept 1840	Sept 1843
John Swift	Longton	Sept 1843	?
Swift & Brindley	Longton	?	Sept 1844

Earthenware manufacturers in Flint Street (off Stafford Street), Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, England.

John Swift was involved in a series of short lived partnerships. The original partners were John Swift, Samuel Elkin and John Nicholls.
In September 1840 it was announced that Nicholls had left the partnership and the business would be carried on by Swift & Elkin.
In September 1843 Samuel Elkin left the business which was continued by John Swift.
Shortly after a James Brindley joined the business which operated as Swift & Brindley. James Brindley left the partnership in September 1844.
The Staffordshire Advertiser of 14 September 1844 noted the sale of the potworks: 'Swift, Mr., Flint Street, Longton, auction of earthenware manufactory held by him' (Rodney Hampson).
Swift was unable to meet all his debts and petitioned for insolvency. As of March 1845 he was recorded in the London Gazette as "John Swift, late of Wheat Sheaf-street, Longton, Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, out of business, previously earthenware manufacturer. - In the Gaol of Stafford"

The London Gazette
29th September 1840

notice of the dissolution of the partnership
of Swift, Elkin & Nicholls

The London Gazette
10th October 1843

notice of the dissolution of the partnership
of Swift & Elkin

[the name of the pattern is often included]
[the initials are often in a flowing script]

Romantic Staffordshire transferware plate by John Swift in the "Swiss Scenery" pattern
The white border of the plate is scalloped and decorated
with a band of tiny white dots in relief. In the foreground is a Swiss Chalet.

The pattern was produced in red, blue and green

J S
Swiss Scenery
Opaque China