James Sadler & Sons Ltd
KEY DATES
1882 - c.1898 Sadler & Co.
c.1899 - March 2000 James Sadler & Sons Ltd.
LOCATIONS
1882 Reginald Street, Burslem
c.1899 - 1920 Wellington Works, Newport Street, Burslem
1920 Took over Central Pottery (John Sadler)
1920 - 2000 Closed Wellington Pottery, moved to Central Pottery,
renamed Wellington and
and Central Potteries, Burslem
DESCRIPTION
The family firms of Sadler & Co., and James Sadler & Sons Ltd. have always specialised in the manufacture of earthenware teapots. The company was formed in 1882 by James S. Sadler. In the 1890s they moved to the Wellington Works and Edward Sadler joined the business. In 1920 they took over the business of John Sadler (son of James) at the Central Pottery, Burslem. As this factory had more suitable accommodation the Wellington Works were closed and the new premises renamed the Wellington and Central Potteries.
The first teapots made by the factory were red clay with a brown glazed surface. Later, Rockingham style teapots known as Brown Bettys were made from white clay. Other styles included Samian, Russett and coloured pots. Five piece sets were also popular.
In 1928, Edward Sadler visited the USA and, when he returned, commenced a programme of modernisation which included the installation of the company's first tunnel kiln in 1934. In the inter-war period many unusual and novelty teapots were made, many of which are illustrated in the sources listed below. These included :
1923 handy hexagon spoutless teapot
1930s crinoline ladies
1938 racing car
1939 Father Christmas
1947 Winston Churchill in a tank
By 1955 the company had 500 employees. By the 1970s the product range had expanded and included vases and jardinieres, kitchen sets, mixing bowls and souvenirs.
In 1999 (after a 15% drop in sales) a new corporate logo and brand identity were introduced along with a reduction in the number of different products being made. 850 products had been in production in 1998. This was cut to just 340, including plates, cups and saucers. The managing director in 1999 was Neil Sadler, great-grandson of the founder of the business. Some production was outsourced overseas and the workforce was now 140.
On 6th March 2000 the company went into receivership. In April its brand name, designs and archive were purchased by Churchill China. The name was retained as a separate brand entity with manufacturing incorporated into the Churchill factory in Cobridge.
COLLECTION DETAILS
FURTHER INFORMATION
On teapots
Bramah, Edward Novelty teapots : 500 years of art and design Quiller Press, 1992
Emmerson, Robin British teapots and tea drinking HMSO, 1992
Miller, Philip & Berthoud, Michael An anthology of British teapots Micawber Publications, 1985
Street- Porter, Janet The British teapot Angus & Robertson, 1981
On the company
www.james-sadler.co.uk - via Churchill site
