Beswick (John Beswick Ltd)

1894–1938), 1938–1969

Earthenware and china manufacturer at the Gold Street Works, Longton. James Wright Beswick began earthenware manufacture in 1894 at the Baltimore Works, Longton. The business expanded rapidly and in 1898 took over the Gold Street Works now firmly associated with the Beswick name.

Sons John and Gilbert Beswick assumed control on the death of their father in May 1920. Of the two sons, John Beswick was the driving force behind the business and upon his death in 1934 he was succeeded by his only son John Ewart Beswick, whilst Gilbert Beswick continued as the marketing manager. The business was incorporated as John Beswick Ltd in 1938 and from 1957 traded as a listed public company. John Ewart Beswick had no heir and in June 1969 he sold the entire share capital to Doulton & Co. Ltd.

The Beswick businesses (up to 1969) produced domestic earthenware, dinnerware, teaware, teapots, vases, and commemorative and advertising wares. The company, however, is best known for its animal models—domestic animals, birds, fish etc—produced in enormous numbers from the mid-1930s. Arthur Gredington and James Hayward were responsible for the modelling and finishing of the early animal models and they were joined by Albert Hallam, who started as an apprentice mould maker at age 14 and became the firm’s leading modeller and mould maker in the 1950s. Hallam designing many of the well known animal models in addition to the uniquely-shaped vases, bowls and jugs of the period. Beswick’s best known products are the magnificent equestrian models produced over a long period, and the Beatrix Potter figures produced from 1947. The company’s mark was a simple printed ‘John Beswick, England’ or the familiar script ‘Beswick’ name.

After the 1969 takeover, Doulton continued to produce the Beswick animal models and figurines under the Beswick name, although the range was reduced and only a few new models entered production. From early-1989 Doulton ceased use of the Beswick name, although the Gold Street factory continuing to produce the same models with a Doulton backstamp. The Beswick mark was briefly resurrected for the centenary of the name 1994.

Doulton ceased production of the Beswick brand and closed the Gold Street factory in 2002, the site being sold for development in the following year. In 2004 Doulton put the Beswick ‘brand’ up for sale with an asking price of £1.5 million and, in mid-2005, it was sold to John Sinclair, owner of a chain of antique shops. The new owner announced plans to re-start production of prestige limited-edition Beswick collectors’ wares.

In addition to the right to use the famous Beswick name, the new company inherited the moulds and archives of the original company and its first product was a limited edition of Przewalski’s Horse modelled for Doulton by Amanda Hughes-Lubeck in the mid-1990s but never put into production. Other models have followed and the new ‘John Beswick’ was still active in mid-2009 with a range including further limited edition wild horses, farm animals, Beswick Fishes, hunting scenes, Royalty and Alice in Wonderland figurines.

John Beswick Ltd ware ‘Tennis set’ from the 1960s. The prancing horse decoration makes the link to the Beswick ceramic equestrian models.

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