Question about antique pitcher

I have an old brown and white pitcher about 7' high, maybe 6' wide toward bottom, one sided handle. This is a special pitcher because it is covered with faces, signatures, buildings and scenes from the signing of the Declaration of Independence. On the inside of the pour spout is a painting of the Liberty Bell.

On the bottom of the pitcher, in a round area (which is about 3' in diameter - where it's white - it does spread out to the 6' width along the rounded bottom) toward the top of the round area, it says Historical Pottery (in Old English letters), then under that is a diamond shaped area with RM in it - and some small design between the R and M. Maybe an & sign? The sides of the diamond are about 1/3'.

Then under that are the words The Rowland Marsellus Co. with some scrolling around the words. Under that is Staffordshire England. At the bottom is No.527015.

This pitcher is in almost perfect condition - no cracks or chips. It was passed down to my grandparents in New England.

Does anyone know ANYTHING about this pitcher?

Thanks!

Nancy Herron Portland, OR

Nancy,

According to Kovel's New Dictionary of Marks, the Rowland & Marsellus Co marks that you show on your pitcher are those of a U. S. importer operating from 1860 - 1900+. The Kovel's add the statement 'believed to be the British Anchor Pottery Co.'

How long this kind of souvenir & commemorative ware was imported by this company, I don't know, but there is a lot of it out there & some of it appears to be from the 50's (could be wrong about this....I've been wrong on occasions not too rare <g>

However, your brown & white pitcher has an English register number indicating the design was registered in 1908 so it is quite likely that your pitcher was put out much earlier than the fifties.

Hope this helps.

I can't find any reference to an 'Anchor Pottery', but Godden lists Anchor Porcelain Company manufacturing bone china in Anchor Road, Longton. The factory operated between 1901 - 1918, which checks with the registered design mark.

Phil Rowley