72 Pc Vintage Royal Albert Old Country Roses Ruby Celebration China Dinnerware

Description

72 piece lot of Royal Albert Old Country Roses and Old Country Roses Ruby Celebration Ribbon Collection bone china dinnerware. Set includes: 23 Tea/Coffee Cups (Assorted Styles) , Salt & Pepper Shakers, 3 Custard Dishes (Assorted Styles), Coffee Pot & Lid, Tea Pot & Lid, 1 Square Dessert Plate, 9 Dinner Plates, 8 Salad Plates, 9 Saucers (One larger than others), 7 Bread Plates, Serving Plate with Handle, Underplate (Missing gravy boat), Small Serving Bowl, Butter Dish & Lid, Oval Serving Bowl. Mixed lots dating from the late 20th century to the early 2000's.

In 1895 Thomas Clarke Wild and his father Thomas Wild purchased the Albert Works in the High Street, Longton and started to make everyday ware such as tea and dinner sets. The business traded as Thomas C Wild & Co. T C Wild's father died in 1898 and the business continued as Thomas C Wild & Co. with T C Wild as sole proprietor. In 1904 the '& Co' was dropped from the name and the business continued trading as Thomas C. Wild at the Royal Albert Crown China Works. In 1917 TC's sons Thomas E. Wild and Frederick J. Wild, who were already working in the business, became partners and the company name was changed to Thomas C. Wild and Sons. In 1932 Thomas C. Wild retired and his sons Thomas E. Wild and Frederick J. Wild were appointed as joint managing directors. In 1934 Harold Holdcroft, former Head Designer at Burslem School of Art, left John Stevenson & Sons and became Art Director at Thomas C. Wild & Sons. It was Harold Holdcroft who introduced the Old Country Roses pattern in 1962. December 1937 saw the death of Thomas Clarke Wild who had originally founded the company with his father in 1896. Thomas C. Wild & Sons remained active during the preriod of the Second World Ware, producing ware for export. In 1946 a major expansion of the St. Mary Works was started and in 1947 a public share issue was made to raise funds for the expansion. The brothers Thomas E. Wild and Frederick J. Wild remained as joint managing directors with their sons David Gerard Wild, Peter Grenville Wild, Kenneth T. Wild and Anthony L. Wild as directors. 1961 Frederick J. Wild died (age 68). In 1964 the Lawley Group made a cash and share offer for the whole share capital of Thomas C. Wild & Sons Ltd - this offer was accepted. Thomas E. Wild, present chairman become life president and Peter G. Wild, with his brother Kenneth T. Wild were invited to join the Board of Lawley Group/AEP (Allied English Potteries). From 1964 onward there was a further expansion of Royal Albert production through use of the Edensor Works (ex Shore & Coggins) and the Montrose Works (ex Shelley). In 1966 there was a reorganisation of the Wild subsidiary companies and Chapmans (Longton) Ltd and Shore & Coggins Ltd were closed. Probably as a result of these closures Peter Grenville Wild resigned from the Board of Allied English Potteries and its subsidiaries (including, presumably, from his position as Joint Managing Director of Thomas C. Wild & Sons). 1968 - as a result of a motor vehicle accident Thomas E. Wild (life president) was killed (he was 77). 1969 saw the end of the the Wild family involvement in the company - Kenneth T. Wild and David Gerard Wild resigned from the Board of Allied English Potteries and also from the Boards of Thomas C. Wild & Sons Ltd and Paragon China Ltd. In 1970 Allied English Potteries changed the name of the business to Royal Albert Ltd. In 1972 Royal Albert Ltd became a subsidiary of Royal Doulton Tableware Ltd following the amalgamation of the Royal Doulton and Allied English Potteries Ltd businesses. Between 1972 and 2002, as a Royal Doulton company, Royal Albert Ltd continued to manufacture the traditional fine bone china tableware and teawares made by its famous predecessor Thomas C Wild & Sons Ltd. Harold Holdcroft's Old Country Roses, introduced in 1962, remained the flagship of the Royal Albert brand. From December 2002 all UK production of 'Royal Albert' ware had ceased. The production of ware with the Royal Albert brand name continued. 2005 Waterford Wedgwood completed a takeover of Royal Doulton and the Royal Albert brand was continued at Wedwood factories overseas.

Condition

Good Overall - Gente wear

Dimensions

Largest Piece - 10.5" x 6" / Smallest Piece - 2.5" x 2.5" (Diameter x Height)