Copestake Brothers

Copestake Brothers are listed at the Anchor Works, Longton, in directories between 1860 and 1870. They were succeeded by George Copestake, listed from 1872 to 1889. Neither firm is listed in Godden M but he does cover both amongst the various Copestake firms in his Encyclopaedia of British Porcelain Manufacturers. In both cases he states "no marked specimens have been recorded".

The marked "Garibaldi, the Italian Patriotic Jug" shown below is in white parian with a lavender ground. The design is more commonly found in stoneware and since the Copestakes were china manufacturers those were probably made elsewhere. The jug is believed to have been modelled by Henry Baggaley (see Henrywood RMJ, pages 219-21) and he may well have sold manufacturing rights or moulds to more than one pottery firm.

“Garibaldi, the Italian Patriotic Jug” Design not registered. Marks: printed oval belt with "COPESTAKE BROTHERS / ANCHOR WORKS / LONGTON" Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/254; Hughes 1/192; Rumsey 245 (all unmarked)

Credits: Leo Quinn; Louise Quinn