James Sadler and Sons

of Wellington and Central Potteries, Market Place, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs

The company James Sadler and Sons of Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, has been famous over the last century for the manufacture of earthenware teapots.

1822 The company was established as Sadler and Co of Reginald Street, Burslem and they began making teapots.

Their very first pot was made from local red clay, but it was the white clay Brown Betty, with a functional dark brown glaze, that soon made its way to tea tables far and wide. James Sadler's son, Edward, travelled widely and established markets for his father's famous wares from South Africa to the United States. It was during his American travels that his thoughts turned to creating the collectible teapots for which the firm has become justly famous.

The first 30 years of the business saw a period of rapid expansion, with the company establishing the Wellington works.

1920 The firm took over Central Pottery and moved all production to the Central Pottery site, renaming it Wellington and Central Potteries.

Between 1920 and 1950 the company produced a number of novelty teapots including a racing car (1938) and Winston Churchill riding a tank (1947). These novelty teapots are highly collectable today.

1922 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of Teapots (Rockingham, Jet, Samian and Decorated) Coffee Pots, Bulb Bowls, Flower Tubes, Fancy Dishes, Jardinieres. (Stand No. G.15) ^[1]

1929 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of Teapots (plain and decorated); Coffee Pots, Jugs; Restaurant and Café Teapots, Sugars and Creams. The Hexagon Spoutless Teapot, guaranteed non-drip. Grotesque Cats. Cellulose Art Pottery in Jardinieres. Clock Sets. Vases. (Stand No. G.3) ^[2]

1947 Advert in British Industries Fair Catalogue as Exhibiting Member of the British Pottery Manufacturers' Federation of Federation House, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. Composite Exhibit. (Pottery and Glassware Section - Olympia, Ground Floor, Stana No. A1201) ^[3]

2000 Although James Sadler and Sons was sold to Churchill China, all the design rights and production processes went to the new owners, so that the designs being made today are just as imaginative and well crafted as are those of days gone by.

Continuity is maintained by the fact that James Sadler’s great-grandson still heads the company, the fourth generation of his family to do so. (02/08)

Sources of Information