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Large soft paste platter with a disjointed three pattern transfer print.
View of Newburgh. Made for the American market. Possibly retailed by J. Greenfield, Peck Slip, Manhattan, NYC
Jacksons Warranted pottery. Job & John Jackson. Burslem, England. ca 1830. 22.5” X 15”. Private collection.
The twenty-two inch platter, manufactured by the youthful, upstart potters Job and John Jackson of Burslem, England, is printed in the light brown version of Florentine Rose, a commonly produced pattern in the 1830s. Less common, however, is the secondary pattern of View of Newburgh*, sloppily placed in the center. Even rarer still is a tertiary print of the martial crest, 6th REG US Infantry
The recent identification of this platter is a firsthand look at the young Jackson’s greedy push for success in the Staffordshire world. This simple artifact tells the story of intense rivalry not only among potters but also among kinsmen vying for the lucrative American market.
Competition for the American ceramic trade between the War of 1812 and the Civil War was fierce among England’s Staffordshire potters who had always dominated the field. Struggling to find new commerce, the potters took advantage of the relaxed trade period after the 1812 conflict by shipping tons of wares on consignment—and glutting the American market with designs pointed at local tastes, such as the US Infantry design seen here. (This abundance of consignment wares combined with previous stock orders had a backlash effect. In a market where supply was now much greater than demand, ceramic prices fell drastically. Thusly, trade discounts from regular Staffordshire pricing agreements jumped from 25 percent in 1816 to 45 percent by the 1840s, further reducing profits.)
In an effort to best their competitors, Staffordshire potters introduced hundreds of new designs with the hope of finding one that would become popular. Fledgling potters like the Jacksons were anxious to gain an edge; they copied older successful patterns and underhandedly sold discounted wares to foreign distributors under contract to other potters. Pilfering of closely guarded vendors list was not out of the question. This platter is possibly an example of that very practice.
The established potters James and Ralph Clews of Cobridge, England, wrote the letter to New York merchants Ogden, Ferguson & Co., colleagues of John Greenfield, a successful ceramic importer in New York City, to complain about the shifty business practices of their nephews, Job and John Jackson, the makers and exporters of the platter shown here. The Clews** wrote:
As detailed in their letter, the Clews brothers were furious that their nephews, the Jackson boys, had made off with their American customer list. John Greenfield was an important customer for the Clews brothers; examples of their wares survive bearing “J. Greenfield” importer marks. The Clews were also aware that their nephews had sent a significant introductory consignment of their own products to some of the Clewses’ most important customers, one of which being Greenfield.
The large martial platter may be part of the attempt by the Jacksons to sway John Greenfield away from their uncles’ business. “We are not afraid of their doing us harm as they are of no extent,” assured the Clews…bold words indeed from potters whose fortune depended heavily on the patronage of merchants an ocean away. Unfortunately, the Jackson conspiracy apparently had taken its toll, as the Clewses’ letter states: “How is it Mr.Greenfield has been doing, so well of late and so little with us, and as yet we have not our spring order from Messrs Garretson—or Webb.”
The long-term success of the Jackson brothers in soliciting the business of their uncles’ customers appears to be needless. As indicated by the records of the Staffordshire Advertiser, both Jackson brothers are listed as bankrupt by 1835. The uncles, James and Ralph Clews, did not fare any better. They declared bankruptcy for a second time in 1834. Conceivably these lessons helped James Clews decide that it was better to switch than fight. By 1836 he had come to America to establish an earthenware pottery in Indiana.
___________________________________________
* aka The Burleigh Ironworks, another American theme.
** Though not much better than mine, the spelling and grammar is thiers.
View of Newburgh. Made for the American market. Possibly retailed by J. Greenfield, Peck Slip, Manhattan, NYC
Jacksons Warranted pottery. Job & John Jackson. Burslem, England. ca 1830. 22.5” X 15”. Private collection.
The twenty-two inch platter, manufactured by the youthful, upstart potters Job and John Jackson of Burslem, England, is printed in the light brown version of Florentine Rose, a commonly produced pattern in the 1830s. Less common, however, is the secondary pattern of View of Newburgh*, sloppily placed in the center. Even rarer still is a tertiary print of the martial crest, 6th REG US Infantry
The recent identification of this platter is a firsthand look at the young Jackson’s greedy push for success in the Staffordshire world. This simple artifact tells the story of intense rivalry not only among potters but also among kinsmen vying for the lucrative American market.
Competition for the American ceramic trade between the War of 1812 and the Civil War was fierce among England’s Staffordshire potters who had always dominated the field. Struggling to find new commerce, the potters took advantage of the relaxed trade period after the 1812 conflict by shipping tons of wares on consignment—and glutting the American market with designs pointed at local tastes, such as the US Infantry design seen here. (This abundance of consignment wares combined with previous stock orders had a backlash effect. In a market where supply was now much greater than demand, ceramic prices fell drastically. Thusly, trade discounts from regular Staffordshire pricing agreements jumped from 25 percent in 1816 to 45 percent by the 1840s, further reducing profits.)
In an effort to best their competitors, Staffordshire potters introduced hundreds of new designs with the hope of finding one that would become popular. Fledgling potters like the Jacksons were anxious to gain an edge; they copied older successful patterns and underhandedly sold discounted wares to foreign distributors under contract to other potters. Pilfering of closely guarded vendors list was not out of the question. This platter is possibly an example of that very practice.
The established potters James and Ralph Clews of Cobridge, England, wrote the letter to New York merchants Ogden, Ferguson & Co., colleagues of John Greenfield, a successful ceramic importer in New York City, to complain about the shifty business practices of their nephews, Job and John Jackson, the makers and exporters of the platter shown here. The Clews** wrote:
Cobridge, 31st December 1830
To Messrs Ogden, Ferguson & Co.
Dear Sirs
It is now a length of time since we had thy pleasure—and our motive in now writing you is we are informed that one of our nephews are leaving thus as per the Packet Ship of tomorrow for New York purposely to establish a connexion in our line of business—they have been in our Manufactory under our bringing up, consequently all well acquainted with the names of all our customers, and to our very great surprise and disgrace have sent to each [or] nearly so small consignments of their ware to introduce it. We are not afraid of their doing us harm as they are of no extent. About 25£ to 30 is all they can make weekly. And what business they have to go with the America Trade astonishes us much.
It is not at all improbable that he may make use of our name to the Dealers as a passport to introduce himself to their notice, therefore should this be the case be good enough to apprize them that their is no connexion betwixt us in anyway; when we have no doubt they will act accordingly. We regret exceedingly that our Spring orders already received are not more extensive, but hope we shall very shortly have a further supply. We have had the pleasure of a visit from your Mr. Ogden whose personal acquaintance we were very much please to make and the arrangements we have made, in conveying on our future business we are induced to think will be the means of keeping us going with a plentiful supply of orders. How is it Messrs Greenfield have been doing, so little of late, and as yet we have not our spring order from Mr. Garretson—or Messrs Webb—but hope shortly to receive both.
Wishing you the Complements of the Season—requesting to be kindly remembered to you,
Mr. Jno. Ogden Junr.
Believe us
Dear Sirs
Yours very Truly
R. & J. Clews
To Messrs Ogden, Ferguson & Co.
Dear Sirs
It is now a length of time since we had thy pleasure—and our motive in now writing you is we are informed that one of our nephews are leaving thus as per the Packet Ship of tomorrow for New York purposely to establish a connexion in our line of business—they have been in our Manufactory under our bringing up, consequently all well acquainted with the names of all our customers, and to our very great surprise and disgrace have sent to each [or] nearly so small consignments of their ware to introduce it. We are not afraid of their doing us harm as they are of no extent. About 25£ to 30 is all they can make weekly. And what business they have to go with the America Trade astonishes us much.
It is not at all improbable that he may make use of our name to the Dealers as a passport to introduce himself to their notice, therefore should this be the case be good enough to apprize them that their is no connexion betwixt us in anyway; when we have no doubt they will act accordingly. We regret exceedingly that our Spring orders already received are not more extensive, but hope we shall very shortly have a further supply. We have had the pleasure of a visit from your Mr. Ogden whose personal acquaintance we were very much please to make and the arrangements we have made, in conveying on our future business we are induced to think will be the means of keeping us going with a plentiful supply of orders. How is it Messrs Greenfield have been doing, so little of late, and as yet we have not our spring order from Mr. Garretson—or Messrs Webb—but hope shortly to receive both.
Wishing you the Complements of the Season—requesting to be kindly remembered to you,
Mr. Jno. Ogden Junr.
Believe us
Dear Sirs
Yours very Truly
R. & J. Clews
The large martial platter may be part of the attempt by the Jacksons to sway John Greenfield away from their uncles’ business. “We are not afraid of their doing us harm as they are of no extent,” assured the Clews…bold words indeed from potters whose fortune depended heavily on the patronage of merchants an ocean away. Unfortunately, the Jackson conspiracy apparently had taken its toll, as the Clewses’ letter states: “How is it Mr.Greenfield has been doing, so well of late and so little with us, and as yet we have not our spring order from Messrs Garretson—or Webb.”
The long-term success of the Jackson brothers in soliciting the business of their uncles’ customers appears to be needless. As indicated by the records of the Staffordshire Advertiser, both Jackson brothers are listed as bankrupt by 1835. The uncles, James and Ralph Clews, did not fare any better. They declared bankruptcy for a second time in 1834. Conceivably these lessons helped James Clews decide that it was better to switch than fight. By 1836 he had come to America to establish an earthenware pottery in Indiana.
___________________________________________
* aka The Burleigh Ironworks, another American theme.
** Though not much better than mine, the spelling and grammar is thiers.
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