BACKGROUND:
Go back, way back through the mists of time ...
King Edward VIII gave up the British throne to marry his love, the American Wallis Simpson. George steps in, becoming King George VI along with Elizabeth who was later to become the Queen Mother. At this time Elizabeth II (later to become Queen herself) was just 11 years old.
This coronation was a big deal and served to provide some stability after Edward's abdication. Burleigh produced these mugs (and other items) to commemorate the event.
Burgess & Leigh, based at the Middleport works in Burslem, Stoke On Trent (North Staffordshire) was a pottery with a long and distinguished history, most well known for their fabulously decorative jugs, teapots etc and they moved into tableware in the early 1930's. Burleigh is the combination of their company name, Burgess & Leigh.
This particular mug has been "after painted" by the Marple District Council (Greater Manchester area) and it was most likely presented to an unknown person and we have no idea of the reason.
In a nutshell, the significance of this item from Burleigh is not the mug, which is afterall a pretty mundane household item but the historical memories that it invokes. This was a very turbulent time for the British Monarchy and it was the duty of King George VI & Elizabeth to bring stability back after the turmoil caused by Edward's abdication.
BURLEIGH (Burgess & Leigh) - Drinking Mug
Made in England
Opaque earthware - meaning that you cannot see the shadow of a finger through the sides when held up to a light
Although earthware, this mug is noticeably lighter than a "standard mug"
Commemorative release: 1937 Coronation of King George VI & Elizabeth
There were a few different decorative versions of this mug ... here are the details of this one
The side view portrait reliefs of George (front) and Elizabeth (obscured behind) are raised, not printed.
This raised side view portrait is surrounded by a hand decorated lime green Laurel Wreath, a standard symbolism used in British Royal celebrations.
All decorative painted work is done by hand
On the opposite side of the cup to the side view portraits is LIGHTLY impressed (and not infilled with colour so it is a little difficult to read) the text
"GEORGE VI ELIZABETH
CORONATION
MAY 12th 1937"
But wait, there's more ... (excited?)
Just below the above impressed text has been hand applied in a mid Blue colour, this text
PRESENTED
BY
MARPLE URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL
That's it ... no name or reason for the presentation being made, sorry for the disappointment but it is intriguing if such things arouse your curiosity.
I have examined this "add-on" text very closely and it does not appear to be transfer applied (I can see the paint work and lack of uniformity of the characters) and additionally, it feels "raised" to the touch.
Of course, the Burleigh backstamp (along with decorator's markings) are on the underside of the mug
DIMENSIONS:
64mm (2.5") mouth x 90mm (3.5") height
Nicely shaped and size of handle, easy to hold
WEIGHT: 175g
COSMETIC CONDITION:
So how is the mug after almost 100 years since it left the Burleigh works?
NO cracks
NO earthenware chips
NO damage to the Lime Green decorative work down the back of the handle and the laurel wreath.
However, this Lime Green decoration around the top rim does have a couple of 'spots' where the Green has lifted away ... the rim itself is NOT chipped.
I also noticed light wear to a couple of the characters in the Blue text relating to the Marple Urban District Council
The photographs tell all, take a look.
Now there IS crazing (the cracking of the top glaze due to changes in temperature and environmental conditions over a long period of time) but it is not easy to see and NONE has become discoloured (caused by bacteria getting underneath the glaze and living in the clay)
