Co-operative Wholesale Society Ltd (Earthenware manufacture)






 

Location and period of operation:

Co-operative Wholesale Society Ltd (Earthenware manufacture)

Crown Clarence Works, Longton

1940 (manufacturing 1946)

Jan 1970

 

Earthenware manufacturer at the Crown Clarence Pottery, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, England.

The CWS factory produced "good quality mid-range tableware and other domestic earthenware for distribution through its stores under the trade names 'Crown Clarence' and 'Balmoral'. (British Pottery, Perry)

  • The Co-operative Wholesale Society Ltd (CWS) manufactured earthenware at the Crown Clarence Pottery, King Street, Longton. 

  • Previously the Crown Clarence Pottery was operated by Bradleys (Longton) Ltd. Bradleys experienced financial difficulties and in 1939 went into receivership. In 1940 the CWS acquired the lease to the factory but due to wartime restrictions manufacturing did not start until 1946. 

  • In January 1970 Jon Anton Ltd acquired the Crown Clarence business from CWS as a going concern.  

NOTE: The CWS also operated a china factory at the Windsor Pottery. 

The Co-operative Society produced commemorative ware for a number of Co-op branches and districts - generally to celebrate Gala and Anniversary events.

 

 

 

 


Crown Clarence

Pottery Gazette Reference Book - 1960 
 "Clarence" was a trade name of the 
Co-operative Wholesale Society

 

 

early production (c. 1945/6) - produced on blank ware

 


C.W.S. LONGTON 

Hand painted floral patterns with the Co-operative Wholesale Society Ltd (CWS) logo of a wheat sheaf.

This ware will be early production (c. 1945/6) - produced on blank ware supplied by others - before manufacturing started by the Co-operative Wholesale Society in 1946 after wartime restrictions had been lifted. 

When manufacturing proper started earthenware was made under the Crown Clarence name and the C.W.S. logo does not appear.


C.W.S. LONGTON |  Grindley England

This ware has both the C.W.S. mark and also that of Grindley who were the supplier of the blank white ware which the C.W.S. hand decorated. 

Grindley were a large manufacturer and in addition to their own business supplied blank ware to a number of decorating companies. 

photos courtesy: Rachel Moseley-Wood  

 

 

Crown Clarence Willow & Indian Tree

both of these patterns were staples of many pottery companies in North Staffordshire
 Crown Clarence produced their own versions of both of these popular designs

 


- more on the Willow pattern - 
Crown Clarence
Willow
Staffordshire
England 

 

 

- more on the Indian Tree pattern - 
Crown Clarence
Staffordshire
Indian Tree
Made in England 

 

 

 

 


Coronation of Elizabeth II - 2nd June 1953
Crown Clarence
Staffordshire
Made in England

 

 

 

 


Crown Clarence Toby/character jugs - 'Just So' series

Gran, Outlaw, Jock, Indian

1950+

 

 

 

style of mark first used 1950+ 

 

 

 

 

style of mark first used 1962+ 

 

 

 

 

Marks used on ware for identification:

 

 

       

Byron, Willow, Oriental Bird, Indian Tree

1946+ 

 

 


Crown Clarence
Staffordshire
Made in England

1946+ 


Crown Clarence
Made in England

1950+ 


Balmoral by
Crown Clarence
England

1962+ 


Crown Clarence
Staffordshire
England

1962+ 

 

      

 

date of first use of these style of marks in uncertain

 

 

 


"agincourt"
Made in England by
Crown Clarence
Ironstone

"agincourt" was produced post January 1970 by Jon Anton Ltd who acquired the Crown Clarence business from the Co-operative Wholesale Society Ltd. 

 

 

 


The Co-Operative Pottery Depot, Goldenhill Road, Longton

The crockery depot stood on the corner of Goldenhill Road and King Street on the edge of Longton.

December 1962 

Image courtesy of: Stoke on Trent City Archives | Mr Bert Bentley - Creator 

 

 

Questions, comments, contributions? email: Steve Birks