Thos. C. Wild and Sons Ltd., St. Mary's Works, Longton

NOTE: This article which follows originally appeared in a 1956 book 'British Potters and Pottery Today', is based mainly upon accounts provided mainly by the firms themselves.

 The gift for making fine pottery often runs in families and such is the case with Thos. C. Wild and Sons, the makers of Royal Albert Bone China.

The firm owes its inception, in 1894, to Thomas Clark Wild, J.P. and in the course of sixty years three generations of the family have participated in its activities and been engrossed in its interests. These sixty years have witnessed the steady growth in production and prestige which has resulted in Royal Albert China becoming a familiar commodity, not only in the home market, but also in Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Africa.

This enviable result has largely come about as the result of a far-reaching and progressive programme of improvements carried out since 1937, culminating in a considerable addition brought into use as recently as 1952.

Briefly summarised these improvements over fifteen years include the installation of circular continuous electric kilns, a gas-fired tunnel oven for glost firing, a modern biscuit warehouse and two gas-fired biscuit kilns (the first to be introduced for firing bone china), potting shops, slip house and boiler plant. In 1952 came the latest addition – a wing housing a reception room, a de luxe showroom, rooms for buyers and sellers, general offices, Board Room and the finished warehouse. Above is the dining room and canteen.

Royal Albert China comprises an extensive range of high quality wares the virtues of which arc expressed in the three words – translucency, beauty and durability. The types produced include dinner ware, tea ware, coffee and morning sets and table fancies.

The present Managing Directors, Thomas and Frederick Wild, who have been in control since 1914, share the honour of having steered the concern successfully through the two World Wars and the vicissitudes of the period between the two. Since 1947 it has been a limited company, but, as before, the sons of the founder, Thomas C. Wild, continue to be responsible for the beauty and excellence of Royal Albert Bone China.

NOTE: This article which originally appeared in a 1956 book 'British Potters and Pottery Today', is based mainly upon accounts provided mainly by the firms themselves.

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