Queen Victoria, Sunderland transfers
I'm indebted to Ian Holmes for providing photos of many of the items on this page.
Several potteries using this transfer appear to have had copper plates made with two or three variations of the transfer side by side. That way, imprints from the copper plate could be used to decorate mugs and jugs, with an image of Victoria on each side. That explains why there are Dixon, Austin & Co plaques with different versions of the Victoria transfer.
Several potteries using this transfer appear to have had copper plates made with two or three variations of the transfer side by side. That way, imprints from the copper plate could be used to decorate mugs and jugs, with an image of Victoria on each side. That explains why there are Dixon, Austin & Co plaques with different versions of the Victoria transfer.
Dixon, Austin & Co, Sunderland – plate 1
These plaques were made after Queen Victoria ascended the throne in 1837, and most likely for the coronation in 1838. That puts them just within the Dixon Austin period at the Garrison Pottery, which ended in 1839. Contrary to appearances on this page, they are relatively rare.
The saucer, impressed Dixon, Austin & Co, has the same version of the transfer as the plaque above. The teacup has a compressed, wider version of the transfer.
Dixon, Austin & Co, Sunderland – plate 2
Note the difference in the cloud formation in the right detail to the plaque above.
This appears to be the same transfer, or very similar, on a jug. However, some caution is needed distinguishing Dixon items from those from North Shields during this period.
Dixon, Austin & Co, Sunderland – plate 3
A Dixon Austin plaque, but with a very different cloud formation in the right detail.
Dixon, Austin & Co, Sunderland – plate 4
And again, a different variation, so 4 engravings of this proportion that appear on plaques. NB this plaque has some retouching done to the centre detail to conceal restoration. Note the relationship between the transfer and the title 'Victoria', which has been carelessly applied. Interesting that despite 4 variations of the transfer, these plaques still remain rare and hard to find.
Unidentified pottery
This mug, from the Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums collection, has a distinctive version of the transfer paired with 'The Great Bridge Over the Valley of the River Wear'.
Unidentified pottery
On this version, which could be either Sunderland or Tyne, there are three zig-zag patterns to the right side of Victoria's head, like the items above. However, the clouds are more like those on the North Shields-attributed version. The mug appears to have a different version of the Victoria transfer on each side.
Queen Victoria, Tyneside transfers
Jackson & Patterson, Sherrif Hill Pottery, Gateshead
A rare plate marked with the J&P impress, for Jackson and Patterson at the Sheriff Hill Pottery. The transfer is similar to the Dixon versions.
Although unmarked, the hand-painted inscription on this mug sits well with those attributed to Sheriff Hill. Again, it looks to have a different version of the transfer on each side of the mug. The second row of details appears to match the plate above.
Below is another plate with a flower-moulded rim attributed to Sheriff Hill, but this time with a printed mark 'VICTORIA' and a different impressed mark. The transfer is apparently from the same copper plate as the third row of details above.
Cornfoot, Carr & Co, North Shields
This version of the transfer, which appears on a plate impressed C, C & Co, appears to be a close copy of the Dixon, Austin & Co plate 3 shown above.
As with Dixon, C, C & Co produced at least three versions of the transfer. This jug gives an idea why. The distinctive inscription is typical of those found on C, C & Co items. Like the Sheriff Hill version, the jug is marked 'Victoria'.
Attributed to Cornfoot, Carr & Co, North Shields
This Tyne version of the transfer has two zig-zag patterns to the right side of Victoria's head, and a very different cloud formation..
Again, this mug, from the Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums collection, has a slightly different version of Victoria on each side.
The plate above and jug below, are from the same pottery, and both have the second version of the transfer.
