W. T. Copeland and Sons
of Spode Works, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs
1784 William Copeland went to work for Josiah Spode II in London.
The father and son team of Josiah Spode I and II also perfected the recipe for bone china which was first produced after much experimentation in about 1799. Early pieces are marked Stoke China. It is this recipe which was to become the standard English porcelain now universally known as Fine Bone China.
1805 William Copeland and William Spode (1776-1834) became equal partners in the London business
1812 William Spode retired and Copeland went into partnership with Josiah II in the London business.
1822 The London business was known as Spode and Copeland.
1824 William Copeland's son, William Taylor Copeland (1797–1868), became a partner, and sole owner in 1833 of both the factory in Stoke and the London businesses. Copeland went into partnership with Thomas Garrett, manager of the Stoke pottery, the firm being known as Copeland and Garrett. Copeland was Lord Mayor of London 1835 - 36. The Spode brand name was used alongside the Copeland name throughout the 19th and 20th centuries often styled 'Copeland late Spode'.
1847 The partnership was dissolved; the company was then known as W. T. Copeland
1856 First installation of the newly patented Needham and Kite filter press
1867 The company name became W. T. Copeland and Sons when Copeland's sons joined the business.
1931 W. T. Copeland and Sons acquired Jackson and Gosling
1932 Took limited company status
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, Stands No. A.1196 and A.1245) [1]
1950 W. T. Copeland and Sons sold Jackson and Gosling Ltd to Mr. Donald Poole, formerly the production manager of that pottery.
1966 The firm remained in the Copeland family until 1966 when it was acquired by the US Carborundum company[2]
1970 to commemorate the founder, the name of the company was changed to Spode.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ 1947 British Industries Fair Adverts 398 and 399; and p43
- ↑ The Times, Jul 18, 1966