Researching Shelley - Backstamps
(Updated 15/02/22)
This page shows many of the known backstamps which were used by the Wileman family potteries, Wileman & Company and Shelley Potteries. The main exceptions being those used by James F. Wileman for named patterns each with a specific backstamp. James F. Wileman was responsible for both China and Earthenware Factories between 1864 and 1884.
(A) Elkin Knight & Co Proprietors - 1822-1826
(B) Elkin Knight & Bridgewood Proprietors - 1826-1835
(C) Knight Elkin & Co Proprietors - 1835-1845
(D) John King Knight Proprietor - 1845-1852
(E) John King Knight & Henry Wileman Proprietors - 1852-1856
[ E01 ] |
[ E02 ] |
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1852-1856
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1852-1856
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(F) Henry Wileman Proprietor - 1856-1864
[ F01 ] |
[ F02 ] |
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1856-1864
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1856-1864
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H.W. on "Etruscan" |
Very few examples are known of these early backstamps. The ones shown were found on blue transfer ware items with the "Willow Pattern" and "Etruscan" patterns.
(G) James and Charles Wileman Proprietors - 1864-1866
[ G01 ] |
[ G02 ] |
[ G03 ] |
[ G04 ]* See note |
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1864-1866
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1864-1866
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1864-1866
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J.& C.W. on "Asiatic Pheasants" |
J.& C.W. on "Leaf" |
J.& C.W. on "Indian Stone" |
W. on "Indian Stone" * |
*Note: G04 - There has only been one piece seen that has this backstamp. It is similar to G03 but without the additional colour. The initial W at the base may have been used by Henry Wileman when he was sole proprietor of the company or by James Wileman before or after his partnership with Charles. There are no records for this period so a precise answer is not possible.
(H) Earthenware Backstamps: James F. Wileman Proprietor - 1866 - 1892
The "Richelieu" backstamp is unique to items of that shape. There are at least 55 named patterns, including J F Wileman versions of the "Asiatic Pheasants" and "Leaf" shown above, each with its own backstamp. No doubt there are many others which have not yet been documented. A very small selection is shown below.
[ H01 ] |
[ H02 ] |
[ H03 ] |
[ H04 ] |
[ H05 ] |
[ H06 ] |
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1886 - 1892
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1886 - 1892
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1886 - 1892
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1886 - 1892
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1886 - 1892
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1886 - 1892
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James F. Wileman on "Richelieu" shape |
J.F. Wileman on "Albert" pattern |
J.F. Wileman on "Cashmere" pattern |
J.F. Wileman on "Foley" pattern |
J.F.Wileman on
"Seasons" pattern |
J.F.Wileman on
"Stag" pattern |
(J) China Backstamps: Wileman and Co. - 1872-1910
[ J01 ] |
[ J02 ] |
[ J03 ] |
[ J04 ] |
[ J05 ] |
[ J06 ] |
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1884 - c.1895 |
c.1891 - c.1895 |
1883 - 1884 |
1884 - c.1895 |
1884 - c.1895 |
c.1881 - c.1895 |
[ J07 ] |
[ J08 ] |
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c.1881 - c.1895 |
c.1895 - 1910 |
(K) Earthenware Backstamps: Wileman and Co. - 1894 - 1910
[ K01 ] |
[ K02 ] |
[ K02A ] |
[ K03 ] |
[ K04 ] |
[ K05 ] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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[ K06 ] |
[ K07 ] |
[ K08 ] |
[ K09 ]* See note |
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*Note: - K09 - Found on Wileman "Arts and Crafts" Earthenware items in the number range 10001 - 10036+. Unlike P09, which was applied separately, this stamp is fully integrated and applied in one hit.
(L) Earthenware Backstamps: Shelley - 1910-1940
[ L01 ] |
[ L02 ] |
[ L03 ] |
[ L04 ] |
[ L05 ] |
[ L06 ] |
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1910 - 1916 |
1910 - 1916 |
1916 - 1925 |
1916 - 1925 |
1925 - 1945 |
1929 - 1930s |
Also used on china |
Also used on china |
Also used on china |
on earthenware |
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tableware items |
(M) China Backstamps: Shelley - 1910-1966
[ L01 ] |
[ M01 ] |
[ M02 ] |
[ M03 ] |
[ L03 ] |
[ L05 ] |
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1910 - 1916 |
1913 - 1926 |
1913 - 1926 |
1928 - |
1916 - 1925 |
1925 - 1945 |
Also used on earthenware |
Used on miniatures |
Also used on earthenware |
Also used on earthenware |
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[ M04 ] |
[ M05 ] |
[ M06 ] |
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1930 - 1932 |
1938 - 1966 |
1936 - 1937 |
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Commemorative ware |
(N) Crested Miniatures Backstamps: Wileman and Shelley -1890's - 1920's
[ N01 ] |
[ N02 ] |
[ N03 ] |
[ L01 ] |
[ N04 ] |
[ N05 ] |
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Before 1910 |
Before 1910 |
Before 1910
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After 1910 |
After 1910 |
After 1910 |
Also seen on Teaware |
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[ N06 ] |
[ N07 ] |
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 M09_small_drawing size.jpg) |
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After 1950 |
Before 1910 |
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Used on Miniature Dainty Cup & Saucer |
(P) Special Stamps
[ P01 ] |
[ P02 ] |
[ P03 ] |
[ P04 ] |
[ P05 ] |
[ P06 ] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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1915 |
1920 - 1922 |
1920s |
1930s |
After 1937 |
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Old Sevres |
Advertising and Catalogues |
Walter Slater Lustreware |
Walter Slater Lustreware |
Items designed by Veronica Ball |
Found on some Ideal China items |
[ P07 ] |
[ P08 ]* See note
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[ P09 ]* See note
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[ P10 ]* See note |
[ P11 ]* See note |
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1941 - 1945 |
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Shelley and Grosvenor |
Cloisello |
Spano Lustre Iridescent Glaze |
Cloisello Ware |
Lichfield |
Notes:
P08 - Separate stamp found in conjunction with K03 with
P09 - Separate stamp found only with J08 and K08.
P10 - Separate stamp, used in conjunction with L03 on Blue Cloisello Wares.
P11 - The Lichfield back-stamp was used on eight pattern numbers in 1961, after an agreement between Shelley and a company called Canadian Cookware. The Lichfield back-stamp was placed over the Shelley backstamp
Other Marks
There are other marks that you may find on the bottom of
Shelley and Wileman china and earthenware
:
Second ware - Pieces marked with a number two in a circle are second ware pieces. These items were thought not to be up to Shelley's high standard and were then decorated with a second ware pattern.
Paintresses marks - Various dots and squiggles were used to identify the paintress of a particular piece. These marks were used to calculate the wages of individual paintresses who were paid on a piece work basis.
