Earthenware manufacturer - originally at the Winton Pottery, just on the Hanley side of the border of the pottery towns of Hanley and Stoke, Stoke-on-Trent, England. The works were named after Winton Wood.

In 1900 the original Grimwade Bros became Grimwades Ltd - they expanded production significantly and within 10 years had purchased a number of existing companies to help with the growth. 

Winton Pottery Works was their original and largest factory and this name gave rise to their well-known "Winton Ware."
Winton Ware became one of their flagship lines. Their range grew to include fine tableware, commemorative pieces, and novelty items — including miniature ware and promotional ceramics.

By the 1920s-30s, they were producing art deco patterns as well, with more stylised geometrics and bright glazes.

Grimwades Royal Winton became well known for chintz ware — full-pattern, all-over floral transfer designs - notable Chintz patterns were "Summertime," "Hazel," and "Sweet Pea".

Later use of the 'Winton' name: 

In 1964 Grimwades Ltd was acquired by the Howard Pottery Group and the business traded as Royal Winton.

In 1995 the ownership of Royal Winton changed and the new owner reverted back to the original name of Grimwades Ltd although they continued to trade as 'Royal Winton'. 

Summary of the history of Grimwades Ltd: 

• Around March 1900 the business of Grimwade Bros was incorporated as Grimwades Ltd. 

• The partners were Leonard Lumsden Grimwade (the founder) and his brothers Sydney and Edward. 

• The business expanded rapidly and they took over a number of potteries: 

  • 1900 -  the Stoke Pottery of James Plant; (James Plant joined the Grimwades board). 

  • c.1906-1911 the Upper Hanley Pottery at the Brownfield Works

  • 1906 - the Rubian Art Pottery;

  • 1907 - the Heron Cross Pottery;

  • 1910 - Atlas China Co. 

• From 1906-1912, in addition to the dinner, tea and decorative ware they introduced a range of utility ware. 

• By the time of the First World War the Grimwade business employed 1,000 people and by the early 1920s had become one of the largest manufacturers of earthenware in the North Staffordshire potteries, with 1,500 employees.

• The name "Royal Winton Ware" was in use from as early as 1897 it was around 1929 that 'Royal Winton' was introduced as a recognisable trade name by Grimwades Ltd.  

• The founder, Leonard L. Grimwade was killed in a road accident in January 1931. (see biography of Leonard L. Grimwade). Later the same year James Plant snr. died. 

• In 1933 James Plant, the son of the original owner of the Stoke Pottery, became managing director of Grimwades. Under his leadership the company went from strength to strength.

• James Plant jnr. died in 1962. 

• In 1964 Grimwades Ltd was acquired by the Howard Pottery Group and the business traded as Royal Winton

NOTE: In 1995 the ownership of Royal Winton changed and the new owner reverted back to the original name of Grimwades Ltd although they continued to trade as 'Royal Winton'. 

GRIMWADE, Leonard Lumsden (c. 1863-1931), pottery manufacturer, Stoke upon Trent.

Leonard Grimwade was born in Ipswich about 1863, the son of Richard Grimwade. He began his business life with his uncle as a dry salter in Ipswich. He came to the Potteries as a modeller but quickly moved to manufacturing. 

He was joined by his brother, Sydney, by 1886, and worked the Winton Pottery. The style became Grimwade's Ltd. in March 1900.

Leonard Grimwade went for a time to Australia but returned to the Potteries.

In association with Brittain's, of Cheddleton (the paper manufacturers), he devised a thin printing tissue with a detachable backing, known as 'Duplex' paper, which facilitated the handling of lithographic sheets. The invention helped to make the litho process commercially viable. 

He is also credited with installing the first continuous process kiln, in 1901. In this process, known as the Climax kiln, the ware was packed into iron cages on wheels. 

A serious fire at the Winton factory in 1916 led to Leonard Grimwade proposing that Stoke on Trent should have at least three motor fire engines. 

A Liberal free-trader Leonard Grimwade was elected to Stoke upon Trent council and was also appointed to the local magistrates' bench. He was secretary of the Potteries Association for the Promotion of Federation, founded in 1907, and published 160 favourable replies to a circular letter to leaders of trade and industry in his Book of Opinions. Questioned by counsel for Fenton during the passage of the federation bill through Parliament and asked where he lived Leonard Grimwade replied "I sleep in Wolstanton but I live in the Potteries". He unsuccessfully contested the parliamentary election in Hanley as a Liberal in 1918. He was a member of King Street, Newcastle, Congregational church. 

He modified his free-trade views to some extent during the First World War, by which time his five factories employed 1,000 people. In December 1917 he printed a message from the prime minister asking for economy in consumption of food on reduced sized butter dishes, milk jugs and plates, which sold at one shilling each.

He married twice and had two sons and two daughters. His first wife, Marion, was elcted to the Stoke Board of Guardians in 1897. He was killed in a road accident on 26 January 1931 and was buried in Hartshill cemetery.

Sources: Jewitts, Pottery Gazette 2 March 1931; VCH ii., People of the Potteries.

Grimwades'
New Art Toilet Set
the 'Melon'

Pottery Gazette - January 1906

The Pottery Gazette 1st June 1906

Special Trade Notice

TWO Representatives of Earthenware Manufacturers in Staffordshire having persistently published malicious statements to the effect that we are not Manufacturers, but only Decorators or Factors, we have been compelled in the interest of truth and justice to take Legal Proceedings in order to prevent such inuendoes (sic) causing any misapprehension in the minds of our numerous Friends and Customers.

We beg to inform the Trade generally that we are not only Manufacturers in every sense of the word, but we employ over 1,000 Hands at our “Winton,” “Stoke,” “Elgin” and “Upper Hanley” Potteries, which Works are replete with modern machinery, enabling us to carry on every process of Manufacture, from the preparation of raw materials to the latest decorative processes, and we are in an unrivalled position for supplying our fine quality semi-porcelain at reasonable prices.

We shall be pleased at any time to show our Customers round our Works, when they visit the Potteries, for an interesting and instructive hour or two may well be spent in this way.

We are just publishing a little “ brochure ’ explaining the chief processes carried on in making pottery, which will be illustrated with some excellent photographs taken from our Potteries. Should you wish for a few copies to be sent to you, kindly drop us a postcard.

Grimwades, Ltd.
Manufacturers
of all classes of Earthenware, including Dinner Sets, Tea Sets, Toilet Sets, Jugs, Flower Pots, Cheese Stands, &c., &c.

Stoke-on-Trent

The Pottery Gazette 1st September 1906 

"On October 25 [1906]  a very interesting ceremony took place at Hanley, when, in the presence of a numerous company, the Mayor ol Hanley inaugurated the new showrooms which the directors of Gnmwades Ltd have erected at their Winton Pottery, Hanley. 

This was preceded by a luncheon at the North Stafford Hotel when Mr. Leonard Grimwade presided. In announcing a number of apologies for non-attendance, the Chairman remarked that lie supposed the absence of several was due to the improved state of trade which prevented them from sparing time to attend engagements of the kind. It was a healthy sign when this occurred, but at the same time he regretted their absence. 

After luncheon the company proceeded to the Potteries to inspect the new premises In order to build them three cottages m Newland-street had to be pulled down. Upon the site thus obtained, supplemented by a vacant piece of land behind, a three-story building has been erected contiguous to the existing pottery. On the ground floor, offices have been provided in connection with the export department. The second floor is arranged for two show rooms, one of which is devoted specially to the products of the Anglo -Beige Glass Association Ltd., of which Mr Sydney Grimwade is chairman and the other to general purposes. On this floor, also, there is a handsome board room The chief feature of the top story is a lofty and well proportioned top-lighted showroom. Adjoining is a new artists room.  The old showroom is connected by an open archway with the new premises, which are in every way an admirable addition to the building. 

When the company had assembled in the old showroom, the Mayor pulled a cord attached to two curtains hiding the entrance to the new portion of the buildings, and, as the curtains fell apart he declared the new premises to be open, at the same time wishing the business every prosperity. The addition were inspected and admired, and when the visitors had reached the large showroom there were a few speeches. 

Mr. A. R. Wood, of Tunstall, the architect, who was first called upon, congratulated the directors of Grimwades, Ltd., on their enterprise and coinage in extending their manufactory in Hanley, despite the prevailing high rates. 

Mr. Grimwade said that since 1890 the firm of Grimwades had wrested from foreign countries no less than half a million of money which had been expended in Hanley, mainly in wages and materials. Their business, which was originally in the home trade, almost entirely, had, in recent years, extended to almost every country under the sun, and they had at the present time agencies in almost every direction, from the Arctic Circle to the Pacific Ocean, and from China to Peru. 

Mr. Grimwade then recalled the early days of the business, and spoke of its gradual growth. In addition to that factory they had now also the important factories of Stoke Pottery and Upper Hanley Pottery, both of them very large works, while they had further acquired another works at Stoke. No fewer than 1,200 hands were employed by the firm directly, and more than that when one took into consideration the affiliated works. 

In their early days they made it a principle in their business to give every opportunity to their young men to work their way up to positions of distinction, and he was glad to say that they had associated with them to-day several men who had won positions on the directorate after beginning in very humble positions. They believed in the principle of cooperation, and there were a considerable number of their leading men, in positions of importance, who were shareholders in the business, and shared its prosperity. In concluding, Mr. Grimwade thanked the Mayor and Mayoress for being present, and asked their acceptance of a very handsome pedestal. Other speeches followed."

The Pottery Gazette, 1st November 1906

"Perfection"
Bed & Douche Pan

"Hygienic"
kitchen ware

"Mecca"
foot warmer &
bed bottle

this style of mark with the shell like vase in the centre is not well documented it is likely to be c.1906 - early 1910s

The ware shown was produced for and supplied to the British Government; it was ultimately property of the Crown/Government. 

Grimwades (and others) were given government contracts throughout the late 1900s (WWI) and beyond and produced canteen ware - most likely for the armed services.

The ‘W’ within the diamond relates to the products being commissioned and produced for the Office of Works. This mark is there to distinguish the piece from being normal ‘utilitarian’ ware for public sale or belonging to anyone organisation. 

The name of the pattern is 'Adam' after the famous neo-classical architect and designer Robert Adam

detail of the rams head on the handle

impressed mark ADAM 

Grimwades produced a range of nursery and children's ware 

mark introduced in the 1930s 

Rodolfo Eisler was an importer of quality ceramics, silver and homewares that were primarily made in England. His shop was based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

He imported ware from a number of North Staffordshire potteries including The Pearl Pottery and Newport Pottery (Clarice Cliff ware).

Grimwades marked some of their ware with the month/year of
manufacture - in this example the 7/29 is July 1929 

marks used on various items 
of the dinner service 

The term "chintz" itself originally referred to printed cotton fabrics with floral patterns that came from India in the 17th century, and the ceramic industry borrowed that name for the dense, all over floral patterns that they began to produce. 

In 1928 Grimwades began producing chintz patterns with "Margauerite" being the first. This was an immediate success and a number of chintz patterns were introduced in the 1930s. 

These tightly grouped, highly detailed and vibrant all over floral patterns were to become a milestone in the company's reputation for versatility and beauty.

With the exception of an moratorium on decorated ware in the Second World War period, production of chintz continued until the early 1960s, when it was discontinued due to the high production costs associated with this style of decoration. 

In 1995 the new owners (Grimwades trading as Royal Winton) recognised the value of the chintz pattern and reintroduced it in the form of collector's pieces. The year 1995 was incorporated into the backstamp of the new chintz to avoid confusion with previous production.

Introduced around 1928 Marguerite was the first of the Chintz patterns produced by Grimwades. 

The Marguerite pattern has a white background with a floral design of various upright and daisy like flowers. It is a more 'open' design then subsequent chintz patterns which were usually very densely patterned. 

Summertime

A cream background with a profusion of roses, daisies, violets, harebells and other summer flowers.

Hazel

A mottled black background. The flowers consist of bouquets of yellow and pink roses, yellow and white narcissi edged with tulips and lilac sprays.

Sweet Pea

A pale yellow background with bright sweet pea flowers and leaves.

Stoke Pottery
this is the mark used by J Plant & Co -  the predecessor at Stoke Pottery

the registration number 218780 shows that the pattern was registered to 
J Plant & Co on the 21st September 1893 

Stoke Pottery
Melrose is the pattern name

c.1900+

this mark was used by Grimwades for a short period after they took over the Stoke Pottery of James Plant in 1900 

Grimwades
Staffs
S.P.
Made in England

The S. P. will refer to Stoke Pottery  

c.1900+

photo courtesy: Sam Anderson-Mangai

Carro will be the pattern name 

there is often a single letter or number to the left of the central vase - it is not certain what this refers to 

G. VI R.
1952
Grimwades 

plain white ware marked with the 
King George VI cipher were
made for the British Forces - this example was on a Cube coffee pot 

Robert Crawford Johnson patented The Cube teapot in 1917 - it was designed as non-drip, non-chip and easily stacked. It was widely used on ships, railways and in hotels and restaurants and was the world's largest selling patented teapot. 

A number of North Staffordshire potters produced this ware. 

Grimwades produced The Cube in many different patterns including Chintz, art deco, Willow, plain white. They also produced coffee pots, milk jugs and sugar bowls to complement the set. 

Atlas 
Bone China 
England

Atlas China
Stoke-on-Trent
Grimwade
England

this style of mark was previously used by Atlas China Co 
who were taken over by Grimwades in 1910 - it was revived with the Grimwades name c. 1930-36

c. 1934-39

c. 1934-50

marks with a letter 'A' indicate ware that was made under the Wartime Concentration Scheme of the Second World War  

Rubina Art Pottery
Grimwades 
England

c. 1934-50

c. 1951+

c. 1951+