J T Close & Co






 

Location and period of operation:

J T Close & Co

Stoke

1855

1869

 

Earthenware and white ironstone manufacturer at Church Street Stoke, Stoke-on-Trent, England

  • The owner of the business was John Theophilus Close- he occupied a factory which had previously been run by William Adams & Sons. This was most likely the Bridge Bank Works. 

  • Because William Adams was a well known potter John T. Close marked his earlier ware with a 'late W. Adams & Sons' mark - even though the only connection is that the used the same pottery works. 

  • At some time he took on other partner(s) - these were the '& Co'.

  • The business had financial difficulties and John T. Close was variously declared bakrupt/entered into payment arrangements with creditors in 1866, 1869 and 1874.  It is probable that manufacturing ceased in 1869.

 

 

The London Gazette
7 August 1866


notice of payment by 
John Theophilus Close to creditors

The London Gazette
31 December 1869


notice that John Theophilus Close 
had been adjudged bankrupt

 

The London Gazette
21 August 1874


notice of liquidation by agreement

 

 

 


transfer ware printed side plate in the DAISY pattern
DAISY 
J. T. Close
 (printed in a 'belt' mark)


J. T. Close
Late W. Adams & Sons
Stoke upon Trent 
(impressed)

 

 


blue transfer ware printed cups & saucers

the saucers are have the impressed 'late W. Adams & Sons' mark, 
one has circular and one has the straight mark

 


J. T. Close
Late W. Adams & Sons
Stoke upon Trent 

 

J. T. Close occupied a factory which had previously been run by William Adams & Sons. 
Because William Adams was a well known potter Close marked his earlier ware with a 'late W. Adams & Sons' mark - even though the only connection is that the used the same pottery works. 

 

 

 
blue print plate - J. T. Close 

 

 

 


white ironstone jug 

Ironstone China 
Stone China
J. T. Close & Co
Stoke upon Trent 

mark incorporating the Royal Arms

 

At some time Close took on other partner(s) - these were the '& Co'.

It can be seen in the mark above that the '& Co' was added which makes the name off centre

 

   
white ironstone in the Athena pattern - registered design number 194194

J T Close & Co registered this pattern on the 3rd January 1866  


 


September 22 1873
From J. T. Close
Nos 2, 3, & 4 Wharf Street, Stoke upon Trent


yours affy J. T. Close 



Stoke-upon-Trent c.1819 - The view is along Church Street - (see purple arrow on map below)

picture: "Ten Generations of a Potting Family"


The railings in front of the works is the Newcastle Canal - the canal went underneath 
Church Street and the Wheatsheaf Inn and then ran alongside Spode's and Wolfe's works.

To the immediate left is the Wheatsheaf Public House (a coaching inn) (highlighted in purple on map below)
Next the Wheatsheaf is Wolfe's "Big Works"

To the right of the picture is Wolfe's Bridge Bank works - owned by Thomas Wolfe and potted by W. Adams & Sons
and then occupied by J. T. Close

 

 


1878 map of the centre of the town of Stoke upon Trent

The red circle is the Bridge Bank Works which are most likely those occupied by J. T. Close

the blue circle is 2, 3 & 4 Wharf Street - listed in heading of the letter above
At some time John T. Close lived in Glebe Street / Brook Street 

map courtesy: Old-Maps.co.uk

 

Questions, comments, contributions?  email: Steve Birks