Thomas Poole

Thomas Poole

Thomas Poole (Longton) Ltd

Location and period of operation:

Thomas Poole	Longton	1880	c.1925
Thomas Poole (Longton) Ltd	Longton	c.1925	1952

China, Earthenware and Majolica manufacture at the Cobden Works, Edensor Road, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, England

Renamed 'Thomas Poole (Longton) Ltd' c.1925.
They produced canteen ware for the British armed forces.
In June 1945 Thomas Poole (Royal Stafford) were granted a licence to produce 'fancies' for the home market.
Merged with Gladstone China Ltd. in 1948.

Formerly: Johnson & Poole

Thomas Poole
Manufacturer of China and Majolica of all descriptions
Suitable for the Home, Foreign and Colonial Markets
Also Earthenware Jugs and Teapots
Cobden Works, Edensor Road, Longton

The Pottery Gazette, January 1885

Thomas Poole
China Manufacturer
Cobden Works, Longton

Pottery Gazette - January 1906

Established over 100 years
Makers of the Celebrated
Royal Stafford
English Bone China
in Tea, Dinner, Coffee and all Tableware
for all markets
Thomas Poole (Longton) Ltd
Cobden Works : Longton
Stoke-on-Trent

Pottery Gazette & Glass Trade Review Reference Book - 1947

Royal Stafford China

used as a trade name from c.1900

Royal Stafford
Bone China
Made in England

c. 1940-52

Ware for the Armed Forces

G VI R
Royal Stafford
Bone China
1942

The mark shown indicates that the ware was produced for and supplied to the British Government; it was ultimately property of the Crown/Government, hence the GR-VI Cypher.

This mark is there to distinguish the piece from being normal ‘utilitarian’ ware for public sale during the period surrounding the Second World War.

Thomas Poole (and others) were given government contracts throughout the late 1930s and into the 1940s (WWII) and produced canteen ware - most likely for the armed services.

The year of manufacturer is generally included.

Questions, comments, contributions? email: Steve Birks