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This
book is the result of the first in-depth research on Locke & Co. Ltd.
and will fill a void in the history of porcelain in Worcester.
A common belief was that the Locke family came from Bristol or Swansea.
In fact, Edward Walter Locke’s grandfather, Joseph, was born at Kempsey,
a few miles from Worcester. He was employed in a China Works in Worcester,
as was Joseph’s son Edward, father of EWL who became an apprentice
potter.
During 1895 a three acre site was purchased by EWL, then aged 66, and
others to build a china manufactory. It was situated in Newtown Road in
Worcester. In 1896 production began; there was no attempt to compete against
Royal Worcester’s elaborate designs but rather to appeal to the artisan
class who were improving their ability to buy better and more interesting
items.
The Court Case in 1902 and the demise of the Company in 1915 are fully
recorded in the book. |
