Harvey Adams Formerly Adams & Scrivener, Subsequently HAMMERSLEY & CO Query

by Shirley Jack
(Australia)

Harvey Adams Formerly Adams & Scrivener, Subsequently HAMMERSLEY & CO Query: Hello Peter, I don't know if you can help with my enquiry. I have two vases (standing over 12inch tall) which have been in my family for many many years. They were made by Harvey Adams and co Longton apparently during the years 1870-1875. I am interested to know their background and whether they were the only ones made. If you are unable to help me do you know who else I could contact? I have photos which I can email.Thanks very much. I am in Australia.
Shirley Jack

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Reply by Peter (admin)

To Harvey Adams Formerly Adams & Scrivener, Subsequently HAMMERSLEY & CO Query

Hi Shirley

Thanks for your interesting query about your families Harvey Adams vases.

I am not positive they are who you say as the mark is a little unclear, but I can run through a review of Harvey Adams wares and history and also suggest some other makers I have seen who use a similar mark.

It would be interesting to get some comments from visitors who collect wares with this backtamp to chip in and also give us their view.

Harvey Adams & Co is one of nine English 'Adams' makers listed in my reference books, the most famous of which being the works of William Adams of Tunstall. Harvey Adams has only one mark listed (which is a crown with H. A & Co above), whereas W Adams has a selection in excess of 24 different marks listed.

There is another Victorian antique china firm with a H. A & Co pottery mark, not to be confused with Harvey Adams & Co. They were H. (Henry) Alcock & Co. c1881 - 1910 and they also used these initials, but didn't have a crown mark, but had either a plain lettering or a coat of arms shield with their full name beneath.

Harvey Adams & Co were in business with that name for only 15 years from 1870. Prior to that they were known as Adams & Scrivener (no dates shown). After 1885 they changed their name to Hammersley & Co, then Hammersley & Co (Longton) Ltd after 1932. They continued into modern times under that name. Whether they are still in operation today, I do not know.

If you check out the searching resources as outlined in my China Replacement page and you will get an idea of value for Harvey Adams & Co wares.

Suffice to say, when I had a look around, I found the wares of Harvey Adams & Co to be extremely rare. Not surprising after such a short period of producing. As they were an earlier incarnation of Hammersley wares, I suspect Harvey Adams items might be quite sought after by collectors of that particular pottery mark, but I don't know for sure.

The other thing to take into consideration when valuing wares is the quality of the make. Reading a review from Jewitt's Ceramic Art of Great Britain 1800-1900, by all accounts H. A & Co were well respected potters.


"the best designs and highest finish were made..... . The quality of the china was remarkably fine and good, ...a very large number are of a high class character. ....Mr. Slater .... 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..... In 1885, Mr. Harvey Adams retired and G. Hammersley continued as Hammersley & Co. into the twentieth century....."

I am not a china expert by any means, just an artisan within the industry, so I can't tell you too much about the vases in question, apart from to say, judging by the above brief research, they are definitely valuable and should be looked after and insured.

I always pass on any information I have for free and publish it for the benefit of all. You can use my in-house search engine located on the home page (and on many other main pages) to check for answers to any other queries you may have.

My own knowledge more centered on famous English china makers, but all queries are welcome. I give general tips on pottery marks here .

Here my pick of websites for online pottery marks research:

Note: Pottery marks online research is a time consuming and often thankless task. Free pottery mark online information is often limited to the websites of antique dealers who tend to have only selective information. The most thorough antiquarian online databases are private and levy a charge. Some are better than others, but a good one can often be both cost effective and time saving.

Here is a selection of the better free websites which I use often:-

Gotheborg.com - Chinese & Japanese and Far East porcelain marks - export marks are normally in English, often with English sounding patterns and brand names.

Porcelainmarksandmore.com - German and East European porcelain marks - excellent site but uses navigation based on geographical location not maker’s name, so lacks simple alphabetical navigation (can be frustrating).

Collectorscircle.com - Bohemian & Czech china marks - great for eyeballing lots of pottery marks quickly – I always scroll down on ‘auto-mouse’ to look for a mark (you can sip a cup of teas as you do so).

Oldandsold.com – French pottery marks - 22 pages of French marks. Navigation can be somewhat muddled.

Oldandsold.com - American pottery marks - 41 pages of antique pottery marks to search in alphabetical listing. Good luck!

If you ever require more detailed advice, or you are short of time, using a professional online antiquarian service can be useful. For the cost of a couple of cups of coffee you can get often get an amazing solution to a thorny question. Some are better than others. If you have a one-off question, I recommend Whats-it-worth. Their service is well used and appreciated by visitors with zero negative feedback.

They are online antiquarians, specializing in identifying pottery marks. They charge per question or per appraisal, depending on the type of query you have. They are quick, efficient, friendly and not expensive. I can send you some sample appraisals to give you an idea of what they do – just contact me here.

Finally, if you are getting bitten by the china antiquing bug, you need to know about a fun and interesting ebook with all the tips and tricks of the pros called 'How To Buy & Sell Antiques For Fun & Profit'. Buy it and find out why ebooks work – much more efficient than carrying around lots of heavy books on antiquing!! Have it on your laptop, like a mobile library, and it will save you time, money and effort - and show you how to earn a few dollars more whilst having fun.

'How To Buy & Sell Antiques For Fun & Profit'.

Check it out here:

www.figurines-sculpture.com/buy-and-sell-antiques-for-fun


Best regards

Peter (admin)

edit: I tried to blow up the close up of your mark, but could not properly make out what the small marks to the right are. This particular mark is shown nowhere in my books. Any help or comments on this one would be greatly appreciated.