Staffordshire China - Hudson & Middleton - Note From Helen

by Helen
(UK)

Staffordshire China - Hudson & Middleton - A Note From Helen:-
Wow Peter, that's fantastic!!! Thank you SO much for doing this. I'm so excited. Maybe others who have more knowledge may input to the knowledge-bank too and we can get a clearer history/timeline on the company.

About your query about the "Royal" tag to some Sutherland wares, I'm afraid no idea about the "Royal" element of the name but I'll ask both mum and Uncle Gren to see if they know. Do you know what period ware was backstamped with this mark?

With regards to the longevity of the name, I've got a feeling you're right as I too have heard/read that somewhere. What I do remember is that the last firing of a bottle kiln was at H&M sometime in the 70s - after dad had sold the company - but we still went along. We have some bits and pieces of memorabilia from that day: an etching/print I think and I seem to remember a mug. Again, I'll have to check with mum as I'd have only been about 9 or 10 and I guess at that age you don't take much notice!

On that note, I very clearly remember going with dad to "the works" (as we called it at home). If you look at the front view of the factory you'll see the big blue arch gateways and there was a small door let into one of the big gates through which pedestrians could enter without having to open the gates. I remember climbing over and through that door into the cobbled yard. I remember going into the decorating shop - it was my favourite because I loved the smell of the paint - and all the ladies used to talk to me. They all called dad "Mr George" which I thought was very funny!

With regards to your last query, I'm going to contact H&M direct next week, explaining that I'm researching my family history and would like to find out what's happened since the 70s to complete my knowledge of the company. You never know, they may have some old bits and pieces filed away somewhere that I could get access to!

Lastly, do you know what happened to the D Chapman factory that only seemed to exist for a short time? I'm presuming that Atlas was their backstamp and somewhere along the line Grimwades took it over and took on the Atlas backstamp.

I am glad to see H&M proudly presented on your website!

Thanks Peter

Helen

(Editor's note: We now have a new and rather wonderful resource on Hudson & Middleton here on this site - go to my Staffordshire China page and scroll down to find a potted history of the firm written by Helen herself!)

Reply from Peter (admin) below - just scroll down

HOW I MADE MONEY FROM BITS & BOBS OF OLD CHINA .....more

Reply by Peter (admin)

To:- Staffordshire China - Hudson & Middleton - A Note From Helen

Hi Helen

Thanks for your note to kick off the 'comments' section. Let's hope we get lots of interest and some extra information!

In reply to your queries on the D Chapman factory and what happened to the 'Atlas' pottery mark, I have been doing some research in Godden's and I have uploaded the information on a separate content page - David Chapman & Sons - Atlas Pottery Mark and Grimwades Winton.

Unfortunately I don't have the technical know how to be able to put your family tree diagrams online (they have to be coded into HTML for use on the site - beyond me I'm afraid. If you know a boffin, let me know and we can upload them.

Best regards,

Peter (admin)

www.figurinecollect.com (These pages show our new English made bone china figurine collection)
www.figurines-sculpture.com (This is my bigger site covering all aspects of fine china making)

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