Wade Ceramics Ltd. manufacture porcelain and earthenware in their factory in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England.[1] In the 1950s, the Wade potteries created "Whimsies", small solid porcelain animal figures first developed by Sir George Wade, which became popular and collectable in Britain and America.[1][2] Their other brand names of cheap collectable porcelain include, "TV Pets", "Whoppas" and "Minikins".[2] Over the years, Wade has produced many licensed pieces based on popular TV shows, comic books, Disney films,[2] and more recently the Mr. Men books and Pokémon.
History
The company was established in 1810 by Henry Hallam and produced ceramic industrial fittings. The company moved to Burslem and it was taken over and called Wade & Colclough in 1867.[3] John Wade started his own company in 1887 called Wade & Co.[3] By the 1940s there were three Wade pottery factories owned by brothers William, Albert J and George Wade, who were John Wade's three nephews.[3] A fourth factory was started in the 1950s in Ireland.[3] Following the death of Sir George Wade in 1986 at the age of 94 years and the death of his son George Anthony (Tony) Wade of Leukaemia in 1987, the Wade potteries were taken over by Beauford Plc in 1998 and were renamed Wade Ceramics Ltd.[3] In early 1990s the Irish pottery factory was re-named Seagoe Ceramics and was closed down.[3][4] Beauford Plc's pottery factories were taken over by a management buyout in 1999 becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Wade Allied Holdings Ltd.[5]
References
- ^ a b Edward Duke. Welcome to Wade Ceramics Ltd. Wade Ceramics Ltd. Retrieved on 22 October 2007.
- ^ a b c People of Stoke-on-Trent: George Wade. thepotteries.org (2005-11-15). Retrieved on 22 October 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f Pat Murray. (1998). "Whimsical Wades": The "Wades" Story. Retrieved on 22 October 2007.
- ^ About Wade Ireland. Retrieved on 22 October 2007.
- ^ Edward Duke (2005-03-21). Wade Ceramics: About us. Wade Ceramics Ltd. Retrieved on 22 October 2007.
