• In 1854 Charles & Thomas Ford commenced manufacturing at a works in Cannon Street which dated back to the beginning of the nineteenth century. At some point they built a larger manfactory in the same street. 

• The partnership was dissolved in 1871 - Charles & Thomas continued on their seperate accounts. It appears that Thomas remained in the original works and Charles moved to the new works. 

• Thomas Ford vacated his works in 1874 and the business was carried on by Edward Steel. 

• "Charles Ford manufactured here the best class of china in tea, breakfast, desert and table services for the home markets. Charles for built up a large trade from 1874 and continued to about 1904" - Jewitt,Ceramic Art of Great Britain 1800-1900.

• From 1904 the Charles Ford businss and the Cannon Street factory were controlled by Harold T. Robinson. 

• By 1910 the business was merged with that of J. A. Robinson & Sons Ltd - the Charles Ford name continued. 

• In the 1917 Pottery Gazette Diary the business is recorded as "Ford Chas (Branch of J. A. Robinson & Sons Ltd), Alexander China Works, Stoke" 

• It is unsure when the Charles Ford name ceased to be used. 

the registration number 357217 shows
that the design was registered in 1900 

the marks are the swan mark of Charles Ford and the Arcadian backstamp of Arkinstall and Sons. 

both companies became branches of 
J. A. Robinson & Sons