Hammersley and Co (Longton) Ltd

Location and period of operation:

 (See sources)

  China manufacturer at Longton, Stoke-on-Trent.  Originally at the Sutherland Road Works and then as Hammersley and Co (Longton) Ltd at the Alsager Pottery.

The Sutherland Road works were started in 1862 by Messers. Adams, Scrivener & Co.
After a few years Mr. Scrivener retired and Mr. Adams was joined by Titus Hammersley.

The business continued as "Harvey Adams & Co". In 1875 Titus Hammersley died and was succeeded by his son George Harris Hammersley. (Titus Hammersley also had an interest in "Hammersley, Freeman & Co" and then "Hammersley & Asbury")

In 1885, Mr. Harvey Adams retired and G. Hammersley continued as Hammersley & Co into the twentieth century.

[source: Jewitt's Ceramic Art of Great Britain 1800-1900]

In 1932 the company was renamed Hammersley and Co (Longton) Ltd. In 1970 Hammersley was bought by Carborundum Ltd who had already purchased the pottery company W. T. Copeland in 1966 (this is the company that followed on from Spode in the 19th century).

see a 1956 article on Hammersley & Co

In 1976 the companies merged with Royal Worcester to become Royal Worcester Spode Ltd. The Hammersley trade name was taken over by Palissy Pottery Ltd, part of the group, in 1982 and the Hammersley's Works closed in that year.

In December 1988 the use of the Hammersley and Palissy trade names ceased and in 1989 Palissy closed and the factory was demolished.

The Palissy Company and the Hammersley trade name were sold to Aynsley China in 1989.

There is little archive material connected with Hammersleys just a few pattern books as yet un-researched from the late 1800s and some leaflets and catalogues.

Initials used on ware for identification:

H & C

H & Co

HAMMERSLEY & Co

impressed or printed marks, usually with a crown

questions/comments/contributions? email: Steve Birks

updated: 2 July 2005