Presentation Pieces.
In this section I show pieces which were given as presents or prizes, either in competitions, to mark special occasions or in recognition of other achievements. I understand that records were not kept in the factory, but further research is required. Did your family member receive one of the items shown below or do you have a piece which is not included and would like it to be added? If so do let me know through the contact page.
Christening Mug Marked "Scott January 31st 1934"
A plate which is possibly part of a dinner service presented to Mrs Thomas, wife of J H Thomas, Dominions Secretary by the Duke of Devonshire in recognition of his 25 years continuous representation of Derby in Parliament. The presentation (which included a cheque presented to Mr Thomas) was reported in the Nottingham Evening post of Wednesday 16th January 1935. The date cypher is probably that of 1933 but this is not certain because of the rather random application of "dots" in the downward arrow marks. Reputed to have been commissioned by his party but not actually given to him and divided up between the members following his unpopular decision to join the National Government in 1931, the factory mark appears to contradict this version of events. Further research required. Mr Thomas had also been the recipient of a Freedom of the Borough casket in 1929, and this is also shown above, the image being courtesy of Bamfords Auctioneers and Valuers.
Taken from an article which appeared in the Bygones pages of the Derby Telegraph November 4th 2016 this image shows amateur boxer Harry King holding the actual Royal Crown Derby Trophy which was presented to him as sportsman of the year 1927. He would have received a smaller replica to keep of which an example is shown below.
See http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/boxer-dad-harry-was-presented-with-the-hospital-cup-in-1927/story-29866617-detail/story.html#1 for the full article.
Christening mug marked “V.M.B. Oct 5th. 1937”. You will see that it has a puce King Street factory mark, and yet the King Street factory was bought out in 1935. This is unlikely to have been a King Street stock item because the same shape was in production at Osmaston Road prior to the takeover as evidenced by the “Scott” christening cup dated January 31st 1934 being the first item shown on this page. I have it from good authority, that if items were inadvertently produced without the underglaze factory mark, they were sold to the staff in white as seconds and then decorated and “rebranded” for example to make a suitable gift for a relative. A replica King Street factory mark would have been an easy task for a trained gilder or enameller. I am aware that at least one staff member had her own home kiln for this purpose! The management would have been aware of the practice and doubtless “turned a blind eye” on the basis that if the perk was not abused it encouraged innovation and design improvements etc. Of course this does result in some pieces appearing with very confusing factory marks! Doubtless some further examples will turn up in due course.
Bread and Butter plate in the 1128 pattern with Borough of Derby crest and inscribed “Presented to Alderman and Mrs A. T. Neal by Members of the Derby Town Council in appreciation of their services to the Borough as Mayor and Mayoress” 1939-40. The image of the Mayor wearing his regalia is courtesy of W W Winter, the UK’s oldest studio photography business. The presentation was recorded in the Derby Evening Telegraph on the 28th October 1940. Less than two weeks later on the 9th November the couple also received a half tea service, with the teapot being presented to them four days later on the 13th. The Mayor could well have presented the Derby Hospital Day cup shown below. If the mayoral responsibilities during the war were stressful, as I imagine they would have been, this did not deter the Neals from taking up the challenge again, as Alderman Arthur Thomas Neal is also listed as being the Mayor 1948-49.
These were competed for in the pre-war period at an annual carnival day organised to raise funds for the Mayor's Hospital Fund. With the formation of the National Health Service in 1948 there was no longer a need to raise money for Derby Hospitals. This example is dated 1939.
Mugs and larger Loving Cups in the posie pattern presented to returning servicemen after the war. The mugs are inscribed "In Commemoration of the Allies Victory and Peace 1939-1945" (or 1946) followed by the name of the village. Here are examples from Over Haddon, Weston-on-Trent and Youlgrave and Alport. The Allestree Loving Cup is inscribed "From the Parishioners of Allestree in gratitude for your Service during the World War 1939-1945" The Duffield Loving Cup has different wording - "From the Parishioners of Duffield in grateful Recognition of your Patriotic Services during the War 1939-1945"
In an article which appeared in the Derby Evening Telegraph on Thursday 23rd January 1947, it was reported that "each of Duffield's 230 ex-Servicemen and women is to receive an inscribed Crown Derby china loving cup and 30 shillings from proceeds of Duffield Special War Savings campaigns. The distribution will take place at the Church Hall, Duffield, on Wednesday February 5, between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m." The balance of the fund was handed to the Duffield branch of the Royal British legion for distribution among needy cases in the parish. If you are aware of any other examples from different Villages I would be delighted to include them.
The Allestree British Legion presented loving cups to recognise the efforts made by members to fundraise and generally support the organisation during the war. This example was presented to Tom and Edith (Sis) Rawlings, of 11 The Riddings, Allestree. Factory mark for 1946
In 1947 Princess Elizabeth was presented with a "Princess" pattern service on the occasion of her marriage to Prince Philip. The gift was made up of Crown Derby tea, coffee and dessert sets plus 12 china plates, each with a different view of the town and county. The 174 pieces were contained in 13 special cases and were on show in the Derby Art Gallery for a week. The admission of sixpence for children and threepence for children went to the Derby War Memorial Fund.
Read more at http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/wedding-princess-brings-joy-nation-recovering-war/story-11564526-detail/story.html#98l4GZV5UX5RcWSc.99
Loving cup presented to members of the Australian Cricket Team on the occasion of the match between Australia and Derbyshire County Cricket Club held at the County ground on 28th, 29th and 30th July 1948. The cup is lettered on the base R Hamence. For more information about Ron Hamence, the match result and the Invincibles tour please refer to the blog page.
"Guy" Christening Mug. Undated but 1923-1953 from the factory mark style.
This would have been on the table as a gift for the ladies at an annual dinner event. From 1945 the Board of Trade restrictions were relaxed in respect of certain fancy items to include ashtrays. I have included two versions having the celadon ground. If you compare the roses you can see that the lithos are identical, but that the roses were hand painted.
Tankard which I presume was presented to the England team members or made to commemorate the France V England amateur football match at Cherbourg in 1951. Apparently the match ended in a three all draw. The image was taken from an original by the artist Isaac Robert Cruikshank entitled "Foot Ball".
Vine Maroon plate with a Garnett centre. An article in the Derby Evening Telegraph of the third of April 1951 records that this was presented to Mr H Ross Farthing at the annual meeting of the East Midlands Branch of Conservative Agents, held at the Woodall Spa, to mark the completion of his year in office as chairman of the branch. He was appointed senior Vice-Chairman at the meeting. (Research by H Goodsell)
A plate in the 2451 pattern which would be unremarkable apart from the inscription on the back. It is shown above and was presented on the occasion of a friendly match between Derby County FC and the German Team Borussia Dortmund in 1951 which formed part of the Festival of Britain celebrations. It is not clear who actually received the plate and if anyone knows I would be very interested to hear from them.
Gadroon shape plate marked "F.I.F.A. Reunion London 1951" Apparently these were commissioned to be presented as gifts to the delegates. The tournament had been hosted the previous year in Brazil where England had been defeated 1-0 by the US team. It is very unlikely that these would have been regarded as an inducement to host the games at this time, because of the general lack of interest and funds due to the devastation in Europe caused by the War.
Posie sweets trays inscribed "National G T Championship" presented to A Hull in 1952 and 1953
This McGowran cup produced by Royal Crown Derby was presented to Barrie Sheard by the Derby Rowing Club in recognition of his team of four rowers and cox winning their “Maidens” race at the Derby Regatta held on Saturday 11th July 1953. The start was at St Mary’s Bridge, with finish at the Clubhouse. The importance of the Regatta is demonstrated by George Morris's BBC Home Service report on the day's events in the 18.25 p.m. “Sport in the Midlands” bulletin.
See http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/bbchomeservice/basic/1953-07-11
Only five of these were made. A second was won by the coxswain Malcolm Howie, and is resplendent in a china cabinet on the other side of the world in Tasmania. Malcolm attended Derby School 1951-56. The whereabouts of other three are unknown. Do you have one in your china cabinet?
Golden Wedding tea cup and saucer in the "Surrey" shape and dated 1953.
Duchess Trays in pattern 9875 (Posie Blue Line) inscribed "The Pathfinders and Derby Motor Club Bemrose Trophy Trial N H Phillips and B E Batty 1951." Posie Goblet inscribed "B H M Viney 1952." Hugh Viney led the AJS Works Team in the Post War years. The Posie sweets tray is marked "F Hickman 1953" and is followed by a loving cup marked "Midlands Rally 1955 G M Gardner" The loving cup in the 1128 pattern is marked "Midlands Rally 1955 R Whitley". The images of the Posie Sweets tray marked "C P Walker 1953" and a Posie Sweet Dish shape No. 986 also presented to "C P Walker" but dated 1956 are by courtesy of ebay Seller "Swanstream". The image of the goblet inscribed J S Hollings appears courtesy of Bourne End Auction Rooms.
I have also seen a Posie Sweets tray inscribed "W T Howard 1954" and a loving cup inscribed "A B Longdon 1954", Here is a Link to a short Pathe film of a 1938 Bemrose Trial:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8GsBuLA--M
Vine Cobalt plate inscribed "The 76th Annual County Show, Derbyshire Agricultural & Horticultural Society, Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II 1953".
A posie goblet inscribed “Rose Hill Methodist C.C. 1953 Ist Team Umpire’s prize W. Jackson”. I have included an image of what we believe to be one of the two Rose Hill Cricket teams on the “Cricket 1947-1958” page. Perhaps W Jackson is the gentleman wearing the umpire’s coat. If anyone has further information about W Jackson please get in touch via the contact page.
2 Bon-Bon 386 Shape Trays (The second inscribed “Crib 1953”) and a Loving Cup (dated 1954) all marked with the logo of the Royal British Legion. If anyone has further information regarding "G Griffiths", the recipient of the Angling Cup from Allestree British Legion, I would be interested to hear from them.
Danny Kaye being presented with a Royal Crown Derby Hunting Tankard at the Variety Club's Second Ladies' Day Luncheon held at the Dorchester Hotel, London 7th June 1955.
Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200183320
An article in the Derby Evening Telegraph on Wednesday 13th April 1949 announced that a sports meeting would be held at the Municipal Sports Ground on June 11th in aid of the Derby Borough War Memorial Fund. Events were to include 100 yard and one mile races, "relay races for boys' and girls' schools, and quarter and half-mile events for cyclists". Winners were to hold the full size cup for one year and these are replicas which they were allowed to keep. Above are Ladies Golf 1950, Snooker 1957 and Rifle Shooting 1961. I have also seen Rifle Shooting 1954, Boxing 1949, Service Rifle 1966 and Billiards 1957 & 1958.
I presume that these were handed out as prizes or placed on the table as gifts at an annual works event, but if anyone can shed more light on this I would be very interested to hear about it.
In 1957 the Derby Corporation presented the Queen with a service in the Royal Pinxton Roses Pattern consisting of 120 pieces. See photograph taken to record the event under "Archive Photographs".
Tudor Tray marked "Derby and District Senior Football League 1957-1958" awarded to W Berry.
This tray was presented to West Ham player Jack Burkett following the West Ham United V England Youth XI match played at Upton park on the 10th November 1958.
A football plaque specially produced to be presented to the winning team of an international friendly between the USA and England. The match took place at the Wrigley Field Stadium in Los Angeles on the 28th May 1959. England won 1-8 with Bobby Charlton scoring 2 goals including a penalty. It was Billy Wright's 105th cap (setting a world record of international appearances) and final international match. This original photograph was supplied to the Chicago Tribune in a press release by the Royal Crown Derby publicity department of 362 Fifth Avenue, New York 1, New York. It was probably taken by Pat Laurie of 124 Osmaston Road, Derby who did most of the works photography at the time. If you are interested in the match statistics here is a link:- http://www.11v11.com/matches/usa-v-england-28-may-1959-227308
An oval Vine shape dish in the Montreal Green version with a Garnett centre. Presumably this was presented as a prize at the annual show in 1960.
Freedom Casket presented to the Right Honourable Philip John Noel-Baker P.C., M.P. by the Derby Corporation with the Honorary Freedom of the Borough 17th March 1960. Also inscribed "This honour is conferred in recognition of the 1959, Nobel Peace Prize award, of eminent public services to the Borough and Nation and life long devotion to the cause of world peace and disarmament" The scenes of Derby are signed by Albert Haddock. Images courtesy of Philip Serrell Auctioneers.
"Philip John Noel-Baker, Baron Noel-Baker (1 November 1889 – 8 October 1982), born Philip John Baker, was a British politician, diplomat, academic, outstanding amateur athlete, and renowned campaigner for disarmament. He carried the British team flag and won a silver medal at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1959.
Noel-Baker is the only person to have won an Olympic medal and receive a Nobel Prize. He was a Labour member of parliament from 1929 to 1931 and from 1936 to 1970, serving in several ministerial offices and the cabinet. He became a life peer in 1977." (Wikipedia)
An undated tray C1960 which was most probably intended as a gift at a dinner event. The Radio Industries Club later became the Television and Radio Industries Club.
Prize awarded to Mrs J Jones, Winner of the “Alphabetical Competition” held at sea on Thursday 13th October 1960. Mrs Jones was a passenger on the R M S Queen Mary, part of the Cunard White Star Line. I suspect that Royal Crown Derby was often given as prizes on cruise ships, but this is the first piece I have found with the paperwork to support this.
“The RMS Queen Mary sailed primarily on the North Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967 and was built by John Brown & Company in Clydebank. Queen Mary, along with RMS Queen Elizabeth, were built as part of Cunard’s planned two-ship weekly express service between Southampton, Cherbourg and New York. Queen Mary sailed on her maiden voyage on 27th May 1936 and won the Blue Riband that August. With the outbreak of World War II, she was converted into a troupship and ferried Allied soldiers during the conflict.
Following the war, Queen Mary was refitted for passenger service and along with Queen Elizabeth commenced the two-ship transatlantic passenger service for which the two ships were initially built. The two ships dominated the transatlantic passenger transportation market until the dawn of the jet age in the late 1950’s. By the mid-1960s, Queen Mary was aging and operating at a loss.
After several years of decreased profits for Cunard Line, Queen Mary was officially retired from service in 1967. She left Southampton for the last time on the 31st October 1967 and sailed to the port of Long Beach, California where she was permanently moored and converted to serve as a tourist attraction with restaurants, a museum and hotel” Wikipedia
A character mug with factory mark for 1952-64, with the face of Pat Astley,
"Pat joined ATV in January 1958 being appointed from 823 applicants for the post. He joined television from a background of writing, directing and performing in amateur dramatics. He became well known as an in-vision continuity announcer. He later went on to appear as (Uncle) Pat with Mike Prince and (Auntie) Jean Morton on Tingha and Tucker. His son, Gordon Astley, was later a presenter of ATV’s riotous Saturday morning programme Tiswas." See https://www.transdiffusion.org/2010/08/15/a_is_for_alpha
The manufacture of a mug in his honour would have been a significant accolade at the time. I have not so far found any other examples for the period. The all white version does appear from time to time, but the coloured example is rarer. The image here appears courtesy of Messrs Bamfords Auctioneers. The black and white photograph of Pat is © The Transdiffusion Broadcasting System.
I have not been able to establish an exact date for the mug. I do wonder if his appearance at the ATV Stand of the Derby Radio Show of the 15th September 1961 coincided with his visiting the factory, but further research is required. If you can provide any information please get in touch via the contact page.