Hewitt Brothers

Longton

1919

c.1925

China and Parian manufacturers at the Willow Pottery, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent

• The company was founded c.1907 by brothers-in-law Arthur Hewitt and Edwin Leadbeater. 

Edwin Leadbeater had previously been associated with the firm of Robinson & Leadbeater in Stoke. He was the son of Edward James Leadbeater one of the original partners of Robinson & Leadbeater. 
The obituary of Edward James Leadbeater noted that "For some time past Mr. Leadbeater had been giving assistance to the firm of Hewitt & Leadbeater, of Longton, the junior partner being a son of the deceased." 
The Pottery Gazette, April 1 1911, p456.

• Edwin Leadbeater left the partnership in 1919 and the business continued as Hewitt Brothers under the control of Arthur Hewitt's sons Arthur Edward Hewitt and Joseph Hewitt.

• Hewitt & Leadbeater and Hewitt Brothers were important manufacturers of crested china miniatures. 

• The business was acquired by Harold Taylor Robinson about 1925 who founded a new company Willow Potteries Ltd.

Buyers' Notes:

Hewitt & Leadbeater, Willow Pottery, Longton, are represented in London by Mr. F. Findlay, Buchanan - buildings, 24, Holborn, E.C. Mr. Findlay is showing samples of many of their specialities in willow art china at his rooms, and new ones will be added from time to time. (Mr. Leadbeater was formerly associated with the firm of Robinson & Leadbeater.) 

Hewitt & Leadbeater are manufacturers of artistic and fancy flower holders, fern pots, and vases in many pleasing shapes, colours, and designs. They make a special feature of miniatures in heraldic, view and other coloured decorations. They are showing samples of ecclesiastical and art statuary in white, antique ivory, and art colours. Their rustic-shaped flower holders, coloured, are very pretty, and include a number of new' models and decorations. They make many specialities suited for seaside trade and bazaars.

The Pottery Gazette, August 1, 1907, p923.

Willow Pottery, Longton, are manufacturers of artistic and useful specialities in great variety. Mr Leadbeater will be remembered as lately of the firm of Robinson & Lead beater, Stoke. He has had considerable experience in the production of the class of goods now manufactured at the Willow Pottery. 

Hewitt & Leadbeater have their London showrooms at Buchanan - buildings, 24, Holborn, E.C., where they are represented by Mr. F. Findlay, who is showing samples of their wares. These include flower holders in many forms, fern pots, and vases in many designs and effective colours. A special line of theirs is ecclesiastical and art statuary in plain white, in antique ivory, and in art colours. There are some finely modelled pieces on show, and others are expected shortly. The figures are beautiful conceptions well carried out. The firm have an excellent and extensive range of shapes and models, in which a number of novelties will be found. Some happy coloured effects are shown on various forms — one a pretty green ground to white floral designs. Lilies and other open flowers are made good use of as forms for receptacles of cut flowers. The rustic poses of some of these flower holders are very natural. 

Heraldic ware is one of the firm’s leading lines, and they supply a number of miniatures not only in heraldic ware, but with views and other decorations. A number of miniatures with poppy decorations form a pretty group. The light red of the open flower is very attractive. The "Daisy" arms china is another attractive novelty. 

All the firm’s productions are either purely artistic or highly decorative, and are well suited for bazaars, fancy dealers, and Christmas displays. Dealers who are dressing their windows for Christmas will find the Willow Pottery novelties of great service. We give an illustration of a group of a few of the samples seen at the London rooms.

The Pottery Gazette, November 1, 1907, pp1290-1.

Cardinal Wolsey (Hampton Court)  

This transfer print of a blue kingfisher with the the inscription "Happy Days at ..." has been recorded with differing manufacturers marks - "Willow Pottery" (Hewitt Brothers); "CLAYS" (Hewitt & Leadbeater / Hewitt Brothers) and "CLARENCE" (Clarence Crest China - Beresford Bros).     

Pine N., pp139, 140

c.1919 - c.1925

this style of mark was used by both Hewitt & Leadbeater and Hewitt Brothers - it is not possible to distinguish them

c.1907 - c.1925

this style of mark appears to have only been used by Hewitt Brothers 

c.1919 - c.1925

Willow 
Stoke-on-Trent
Made in England

NOTE: marks with "Willow" and Stoke on Trent" were used by the successor company 
Willow Potteries Ltd

c.1925 - c.1930

this tank carries the registration number 653588 which shows 
that the design was registered in 1916 

Clays, England
mark with a forearm and fist with a globe and four compass points

this mark previously used by Green and Clay (1883-91)

    The tank shown has the Clays mark. The Willow mark is found on the identical model tank. 

 the registration number 630342 shows 
that the design was registered in 1914