THE WEDGWOOD "OLD LONDON VIEWS" FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN COLLECTORS PLATES
I came across these two plates on the "eBAY" auction site and noticed the strong connection with the Festival of Britain. Although none of them feature actual scenes dedicated to the Festival of Britain in London in 1951, in my opinion they are still very collectable - particularly as Josiah Wedgwood themselves displayed their products at the South Bank Exhibition: "Santa Clara", "Cathay" and "Greyfriars" tableware in the Power & Production pavilion; "Napoleon Ivy", "Charnwood" , "Greenleaf" and "Cathay" tableware in the Lion & the Unicorn pavilion; "Nautilus" ware in the Homes & Gardens pavilion. (Wedgwood's fine bone china in the "Sandringham" pattern is pictured on page 37 of the Council of Industrial Design's "Design in the Festival" publication.)
Wedgwood "Greenleaf " tableware was also displayed on the Festival Ship 'Campania' in the Land of Britain's Industry section, while the Land Travelling Exhibition featured the breakfast set from the "Cathay" tableware as well as "Nautilus" ware in The People at Home display in the sections for 'Tableware' and 'The Best Room'. A variety of Wedgwood's ashtrays, bowls, figures, jars, and vases were also featured in the South Bank and both Travelling exhibitions. Wedgwood also loaned historical items for the South Bank's "display of pieces by potters of 18th and early 19th centuries, celebrated for their contributions to the pottery industry" in the Historical Introductory Section, Pottery, in the Power & Production pavilion, as well as by contributing decorated china.
This information on the "Old London Views" series of plates was supplied by Mrs. Joanne Nutt, Museum Secretary of Josiah Wedgwood & Co. Ltd. at Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs. :
"These items are manufactured from Cream Coloured Earthenware (Queen's Ware) our fine earthenware body, and transfer printed in sepia. The items were originally manufactured on Edme shape and the original series consisted of l2 views of old London which were sponsored by the British War Relief Society around l942, who received 33 per cent of profits from the sale of the plates. The purpose of this venture was set out in a leaflet advertising the series as follows: 'This series of commemorative plates was originally primarily to permit the expression, in a definitive and substantial manner, of aid to the British people and to provide the owner of this series with a lasting memento of their contribution to the British cause. Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Inc. of America are acting as promoters in this undertaking, while from the parent company in the hear of beleaguered England comes assurance that in spite of alarms, in spite of all the hazards of total war, production of the series has already started and will continue until completed.'
The twelve scenes depicted were: Tower of London, St. James's Palace, St. Clement Dane's Church, St. Pauls Cathedral, Guildhall, Trafalgar Square, Middle Temple, Westminster Abbey (above & below), Horse Guards, Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace (above & below) and Staple Inn, Holborn. In later years the views were adapted for use again on Queen's Ware plates of 'Royal' shape, and received a special backstamp to commemorate the Festival of Britain, 1951."
By courtesy of the Trustees of the Wedgwood Museum, Barlaston, Staffordshire, England
The following background information on the original wartime 'Old London Views' series is taken from "Wedgwood: A Collectors Guide" by Peter Williams (The Apple Press, 1992): "During World War II, all output of decorated ware for the home market was suspended and replaced by simple white 'utility' ware. However, the export of expensive decorative ware to North America was still permitted, and indeed, encouraged by the British Government as a way of off-setting any financial aid they might seek from across the Atlantic. Fortunately Wedgwood's New York branch was already well established and could play an important promotional role for is parent company. A set of 12 plates showing 'Old London Views' was issued in North America, along with a leaflet explaining Wedgwood's two-fold aim of aiding the British people (a third of the sale profits being donated to the British War Relief Society) and of providing the owner with 'a lasting memento of their contribution to the British cause'..The first American edition of 'Old London Views' was limited to 10,000 sets and printed on the back were 'First Edition 1941'. A Canadian edition of 5,000 sets was isssued in the same year, bearing an appropriate backstamp." Unfortunately the book makes no reference to the subsequent Festival of Britain 'Old London Views' series.
ON THE BACK OF EACH PLATE IS A MAP RELATING TO WHICHEVER LANDMARK IT DEPICTS AND THE HISTORY OF THE LANDMARK; THE PLATES ARE IVORY IN COLOUR WITH A SEPIA TONE DESIGN. ON THE BACK OF EACH PLATE THERE IS A CLEAR WEDGWOOD STAMP AND THE WEDGWOOD MARK, AS WELL AS THE FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN SYMBOL BY ABRAM GAMES.
Back of the Buckingham Palace plate
Back of the Westminster Abbey plate
The two plates went for £27.40 on the eBAY auction site.