Thomas Walker

English, 1823–1852

ActiveTunstall, England

Biographyhttp://www.transcollectorsclub.org/bulletin_previews/articles/TCCSummer08-feature.pdf

With research done by Andrew Pye on our behalf, and Sarah Finch Maiden Rollins who wrote the article “Texian Campaigne Ware” for The Magazine Antiques, February 1983, receiving research help from Pat Halfpenny who was at that time Keeper of Ceramics, City Museum and Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent, we can present the following time-table: From 1821 to 1834, James Beech of Lion Works, Sandyford, Tunstall, Staffordshire was in partnership with Abraham Lowndes. After Lowndes retired, Beech continued in his sole name until 1844, using the initials J. B. as a backstamp. When he was ready to retire, he advertised his manufactory to let in the Staffordshire Advertiser on August 31, 1844. Thomas Walker leased the pottery and, it is believed, acquired Beech’s equipment, moulds and patterns, as no advertisement appeared in the Advertiser announcing them for sale. Thomas Walker ran the Lion Works until his death in 1852. Anthony Shaw was operating the nearby Newfield (formerly Child Works), Tunstall, from 1851-1856, after which he moved to Burslem. An auction of Walker’s equipment and engraved copper plates was held in September 1853 and it is known that Anthony Shaw bought engraved plates at that sale and the name A Shaw is also recorded on the Texian Campaigne printed cartouche mark. There is also evidence that all three potters exported to the USA.

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