Founded in 1851 under the style of Livesley, Powell and Co.

Powell and Bishop (1867 - 1878). 

Powell, Bishop and Stonier (1878 - 1891).

Mr. Powell died in 1890, and Mr. Bishop, senior, in 1891, and the firm then became Bishop and Stonier (1891 - 1939). 

Date are approximate - various sources give slightly different dates.

"Probably no firm in the Potteries has made more rapid progress during recent years than Messrs. Bishop and Stonier, who, commencing in a modest way in 1851, now stand, in many important departments, facile princeps in the trade.

The reason of this remarkable success is not far to seek. The firm has taken as its object the production of artistic, sound and durable goods at reasonable prices, thus catering for the million, and meeting the demands of the popular art revival of the past twenty years. While other houses have been content to travel on in the same groove, producing goods of similar patterns year after year, Messrs. Bishop and Stonier have been continually introducing artistic novelties, and these at prices which place them within the reach of all.

The history of the firm is briefly as follows: It was founded in 1851 under the style of Livesley, Powell and Co., Mr. Frederic Bishop, father of the present senior partner, Mr. James Watson Bishop, being the "Co." In 1860, Mr. Livesley went out of the partnership, and the firm assumed the style of Powell and Bishop, which, thirteen years ago, when Mr. Stonier joined, was again changed to Powell, Bishop and Stonier. Mr. Powell died in 1890, and Mr. Bishop, senior, in 1891, and the firm then assumed its present form. Mr. J. W. Bishop, the present senior partner, has now been connected with the business for more than thirty years; and by his untiring energy and well directed enterprise, has taken a leading part in bringing about the rapid development to which we have referred.

The firm have three factories, which have been considerably enlarged from time to time to meet the exigencies of their ever-increasing trade. The Stafford Street Works, where the head offices are, are utilised principally for the manufacture of all kinds of earthenware for the home and continental markets. 

We cannot specify all the items to be seen in the warehouses here, but it seems as if Messrs. Bishop and Stonier are in a position to supply the household requisites necessary to furnish either the home of the working man or the mansion of the millionaire; and we cannot help being struck with the taste displayed and the complete absence of anything like a common or inferior finish oven in their cheapest goods.

After a visit to this manufactory one can quite understand how it is that the firm have got such a strong hold upon the London market, and it is not at all to be wondered at that the larger West End houses, which are supposed to have the cream of the aristocratic trade, are the good customers of Messrs. Bishop and Stonier, which their windows and stock rooms prove them to be. In fact it is a rather remarkable thing that the trade of the Metropolis centres in the hands of a few leading firms, and competent critics can easily perceive why this firm appears in the front...'

Mr. J. W. Bishop

Mr. J. Stonier

from:
A descriptive account of The Potteries (illustrated) 
- 1893 advertising and trade journal. Page 17