Gladstone China, named after the esteemed British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone, holds a distinguished place in the history of fine porcelain production. Based in the Staffordshire region of England, a hub for pottery since the 18th century, Gladstone Bone China became known for producing delicate yet durable bone china. The evolution of this brand reflects broader trends in the British ceramics industry, marked by innovation, industrial growth, and social change.
1770s – 1869: The Early Years and Industrial Expansion
The origins of the Gladstone site can be traced back to the 1770s, when brothers Thomas and Michael Shelley acquired a large piece of land from the Lord of Longton Manor. This land was larger than the current Gladstone factory site, and the brothers operated two factories that produced creamware—a popular ceramic style of the period. By 1815, the land was divided, and the portion that became the Gladstone site had a small house, workshops, and a single bottle oven. Over the next decades, the site was leased to various tenants who began producing bone china in response to its growing popularity.
The factory saw significant expansion in the mid-19th century under the stewardship of Thomas Cooper, a tenant who eventually purchased the site. Cooper added more workshops and built a classical-style frontage along the main road, creating warehouse space and rental opportunities for small businesses. By the 1850s, the once modest one-oven facility had transformed into a self-contained factory with three ovens, capable of producing fine bone china independently.
1869 – 1939: The Rise of the Gladstone Pottery
From 1869, the factory was owned and operated by a single family, which named it Gladstone Pottery, likely in honor of Prime Minister Gladstone. Around 1875, the “mill” or current engine house was constructed, a two-story building typical of the Potteries architecture, equipped with a steam engine that powered various pottery-making processes, such as grinding raw materials and operating steam jiggers and jolleys. The introduction of steam engines reflected the broader industrial changes of the era, as child labor became less prevalent.
Despite intermittent booms in the pottery industry, the site saw few updates during this period. The grand workshops behind the impressive façade were aging, and by 1910, an inventory indicated that little had changed in terms of equipment or layout. The factory continued to produce bone china, but economic fluctuations meant limited investment in modernization. Nonetheless, the Gladstone Pottery site maintained its reputation for craftsmanship.
1939 – 1971: Wartime Disruption and Post-War Decline
World War II brought significant disruption to the British ceramics industry, and Gladstone China was no exception. The factory ceased production during the war, as it was ‘concentrated’ with Thomas Poole (Longton) Ltd, whose family members were directors of Gladstone China. After the war, significant repairs were needed to restore the factory’s operations, particularly the kilns. In 1950, Thomas Poole (Longton) Ltd officially took over the factory, during what was a period of renewed growth for the pottery industry.
The 1950s and early 1960s represented a brief period of expansion, with Poole purchasing adjacent properties, such as the Doctor’s House, White House, and Salisbury China. However, the introduction of the Clean Air Act, which prohibited the use of coal-fired bottle ovens, led to a shift in investment towards Poole’s main factory, the Cobden Works. By March 1960, the Gladstone site’s bottle ovens were fired for the last time. The decorating and dispatch departments remained operational until May 1970, when the factory was put up for sale, marking the end of an era for Gladstone China.
In its long history, Gladstone Bone China encapsulated the highs and lows of the British pottery industry, from its 18th-century roots to its eventual closure in the mid-20th century. Its legacy, however, lives on through the fine bone china pieces that continue to be admired for their quality and craftsmanship.
| George Proctor & Co Ltd Manufacturers of bone china tablewares at Longton c.1891-1964 | |
| Mark | Description & date |
| G P & CO G P & CO L | George Proctor & Co Distinguishing detail of several printed marks of differing design. Name of pattern is often included. c1891 – 1940.The ‘L’ is for Longton |
 | George Proctor & Co Standard printed mark. c1924 – 1940 |
 | GLADSTONE CHINA (LONGTON) LTD, Printed mark. 1946 – 1952. The company was ‘concentrated’ (did not produce on this site) during the war years.GLADSTONE CHINA This mark was continued by the new company from 1952 to 1961 |
  | GLADSTONE CHINA Printed marks c1961 – 1964 |
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