Grafton (and after 1949, Royal Grafton) was the trade name used by A. B. Jones & Sons (Ltd) with their works located at Longton, Stock-On-Trent England and they operated between 1900 ~ 1971
This is from one of our "dressed to impress" teaset trios - another 'show pony'!
DLAT Rating: 9.5/10 (Darling, Look At This!)
This is part of my wife's Royal Grafton "fancy" collection which she has decided some of which needs to find new, caring homes to live in!
To see the other ROYAL GRAFTON pieces which may still be available, take a look HERE
This Royal Grafton trio is being made available as separate items (or all together if someone hasn't already purchased the piece you want)
ROYAL GRAFTON - Teacup(s), Saucer(s), Side Plates(s) & Creamer Jug
Royal Grafton is the tradename used by A.B. Jones & Sons Ltd
Circa 1949 ~ 1950's (based on the two backstamp designs - some pieces appear to be older than others as evidenced by the backstamps)
Pattern: 4321
Name: Academy
Translucent fine china, meaning that when it is held to the light you can easily see the shadow of your hand through the chinaware
Hand decorated
The design is quite stunning, of course with the usual "flowers of the garden" but decorated with very dominant border artwork in Teal Blue with leaf shapes. We also have seen this same Academy pattern using a Mauve border area, so this pattern was released in various colours by Royal Grafton.
The pieces all have scalloped rims with a 'high back' handle design (but not as upturned as the Queen Anne shape) on the teacups.
Gold gilding has been applied around the scalloped edge rims of the saucers and side plates. The teacup additionally has gilding down each side of the handle (not the back) and a double ring at the foot. This same gilding patterning has also been used on the creamer jug.
BACKSTAMP DETAILS:
One trio appears to be slightly older than the other, the backstamps differ which corresponds to different time periods when they left the works
Here is the earlier backstamp - the shape is different and the name of the pattern is included with the backstamp
Here is the slightly later (1950's+) backstamp - completely different shaped backstamp and there is no mention of the pattern name
DIMENSIONS:
TEACUP:
Mouth: 84mm diameter
Height: 74mm
SAUCER:
142mm diameter
SIDE PLATE:
161mm diameter
CREAMER JUG:
53mm mouth x 102mm height
COSMETIC CONDITION:
This is the REALLY IMPORTANT part! No good being a Show Pony if the pieces haven't been looked after over the years!
There is a lot of information here so please take your, make yourself comfortable and have a good read ...
This first part of my report deals with ALL pieces, then any flaws I have noticed are noted below this section
NO cracks at all
NO chips at all
NO discolouration to the design or the bright White body, on any piece.
Both of the teacups are without any tannin stains at the inside base
NO crazing observed, dry and wet checked
NO fleabites observed or felt EXCEPT one side plate as noted below
Gold gilding across all pieces is in very good condition. I could not see any signs of handling wear nor gilding damage at all - even the patterned gilding on the teacup handles is unworn.
Nothing is perfect in this world, especially after 75+ years ... some pieces do have small "blemishes" which for the purist, could be important
TEACUP: One teacup only has two small Greyish coloured dots on the inside, near the base. I can feel these with my finger but there is no marking on the outside of the teacup in this area. Normal washing (soapy warm water) did not remove these marks. Please see the photograph of this teacup, inside.
SAUCER: One saucer only has a small Brownish spot near the floral arrangement in the centre. There is no corresponding mark on the underside of the china. It feels smooth to the touch. Please see the photograph of this Brownish spot.
SIDE PLATE: One side plate only has two tiny (and I mean tiny) and light spots. So light in fact that I had trouble finding them once again (I noticed them when washing), these are VERY faint. Also on this same side plate is a very small, difficult to see and feel, fleabite. Not discoloured and really small but it is there. I checked it's location and it has nothing to do with the two small dots previously mentioned.
Yes, I am being fastidious but these comments are directed at those who like their teasets to be as near perfect as possible. The pieces that I have commented on above do have slightly lower asking prices so they should be easier to identify when ordering.
