• A substantial potworks with seven ovens built on Sutherland Road, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent

• Built and established in 1862-63 by Mr. Benjamin Shirley of Bangor in Wales.

• The works were opened on the day of the marriage of H.R.H The Prince of Wales, March 10th 1863 and named in honour of that event.

•  The works were operated by two china manufacturers - 

  • the left hand, smaller side started by Shirley & Freeman known as the Prince of Wales Works.

  • the right hand, larger range started by Adams, Scrivener & Co. became known as the Alsager Pottery

"These works were commenced in 1862 by Messrs. Adams, Scrivener & Co. Mr. Scrivener having a few years afterwards retired from the business, Mr. Adams was joined by Titus Hammersley and the concern was carried on by them under the style of Harvey Adams & Co. until the death of Mr. Hammersley in 1875, when he was succeeded by his son George Harris Hammersley, the style of the firm remaining as before. The productions comprised china, semi-china, and fine stoneware.

In earthenware, toilet and all the usual table services, and numberless useful articles of the best designs and highest finish were made. In stoneware, jugs, teapots, and other articles were produced, as was also in china, tea, breakfast, dinner, dessert, trinket, toilet and other services, jugs of various kinds, vases, and an endless variety of ornamental and highly decorated goods. The quality of the china was remarkably fine and good, and the glaze of more than average excellence.

...a very large number are of a high class character. In these, Mr. Slater (who left the firm in 1881) happily realised the full force of the special characteristics of this ancient style of art and produced works admirably drawn and exquisitely coloured. He was succeeded as art-director by John Marshall (a talented flower-painter), who ably maintained the reputation of the firm, evincing great taste and experience in the production of new shapes and designs of the Persian, Chinese, and Japanese schools, which commanded heavy sales in the home, American and Australian markets. In 1885, Mr. Harvey Adams retired and G. Hammersley continued as Hammersley & Co. into the twentieth century. The present firm is Hammersley & Co (Longton) Ltd., of the Alsager Pottery, Longton."

Jewitt's Ceramic Art of Great Britain 1800-1900

"These works, in Sutherland Road, were established by Benjamin Shirley of Bangor, Wales, on the day of the marriage of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales - 10th March 1863 - and were, in honour of that event, named the Prince of Wales's Works.

They were carried on for a time by Benjamin Shirley and Walter Freeman under the style of Shirley & Freeman (late of the Sheridan Works). On the death of the former, in 1864, Titus Hammersley became a partner with Mr. Freeman.
In 1866, Edward Asbury joined the firm, which carried on as Hammersley, Freeman & Co.

In 1870, Mr. Freeman retired from the concern, and the style at that time was Hammersley & Asbury. After the death of Hammersley, in 1875, the works were continued by Mr. Asbury alone under the style of Edward Asbury  Co.

The goods produced were china, tea coffee, dessert, and trinket services - a special feature being articles bearing local views in colour, for sale at watering-place - principally for the home markets; but goods were also shipped to Australia and the United States.

The mark used was the prince of Wales' feathers, with the letters H & A in a garter, or A & Co.

Edward Asbury & Co. continued to 1925."

Jewitt's Ceramic Art of Great Britain 1800-1900