Marco Polo
The transfers on this page are based on an image that appeared in the Illustrated London News in 1853.
John Carr and Sons, Low Lights North Shields,
John Patton, Phoenix Pottery, Ouseburn, or John Hobson?
When Carr and Patton parted company in 1846, they continued to make very similar pottery. It is possible that both potters used versions of this transfer. Or perhaps even, that one copper plate passed between the two potteries at some point. You can read more about Patton at the Phoenix Pottery here. The second plaque mould below was used by Carr from the mid 1860s and beyond, and the Phoenix Pottery had closed by then.
To add to the confusion, this version of the transfer appears on bowls with impressed 'J H' underneath a Staffordshire knot. North East potters have form for trying to pass their wares off as Staffordshire items. You can read more about John Hobson on this page.
Jugs with inscriptions
The hand that inscribed these jugs, the first dated 1854, is very similar to that found of wares with John Patton printed marks. However, it is possible that the enameller worked for both Carr and Patton, or that the enameller moved to North Shields when the Phoenix Pottery closed.
Second version of the transfer from an unidentified Tyneside pottery
Note that there are no seagulls around the masts.
Late 20th Century Reproductions
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Sometime around the 1970s, reproduction plaques were reproduced in large numbers. The reproductions are easy to spot as they have the title 'Agamemnon'. Often Agamemnon appears paired with another reproduction titled 'Flying Cloud Boston'.
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