A Message from Ruth at Antiques And Teacups

Welcome to the blog of Antiques And Teacups! Let's share a cup of tea and talk about the things we love...like teacups, antiques, collectibles, visiting England, antiquing and learning about victoriana and quirky gadgets. Fun!

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Dating Royal Albert Old Country Roses

Recently I have been contacted by quite a few folks both my email and by messages on either my Facebook page or website about Royal Albert Old Country Roses china.


Now considered the most popular china pattern in the world, Old Country Roses came into being in 1962, designed by Harold Holdcroft, when the post World War II pottery industry was struggling to adapt and survive in the post war period.
By it's instant popularity, it provided a needed boost to Royal Albert, a pottery owned and operated by Thomas C. Wild and Sons, Ltd. who had operated since 1896.


The original backstamp was this one, and it was in use from 1962-1974


In 1964, Thomas Wild was taken over by Pearson and Son, Ltd, which then was merged into Lawley Group Ltd., formed into Allied English Potteries Ltd. but Royal Abert and Wild were allowed to continue using their own names.
In 1970 Allied English Potteries officially renamed Wi as Royal Albert Ltd., largely because of the popularity of Old Country Roses.


In 1972, Pearson acquired Royal Doulton but allowed Royal Albert to continue to be made in it's St. Mary's pottery in Longton near Stoke.
But a new mark came into being...


Note the curved text line with the date Old Country Roses was released... but that doesn't indicate when the piece was made.
This mark was used when all Old Country Roses was made in the UK.
This mark was used from 1974 until 1980.


The next mark, thought to have first been used from 1980 showing the design was under the old copyright... from 1980-1993.
Note the mark now says Made In England instead of just England.
In 1993, Royal Doulton was separated again from the Pearson group and re-registered the copyright to Old Country Roses, so the C became an R for Registered. The C and R can be in any order on the bottom curved mark, wither front or back of the last line of text.


In 1998, St. Mary's pottery was closed and production was moved to Indonesia, Taiwan or china where it remains today.


Although the bottom line still says the date 1962 when Old Country Roses began, this mark means it was made after 2002, because 1998-2002 had some transitional pieces. All had ceased by 2002.
Note the mark has dropped any mention of England.


And why does it matter anyway?
I got my first Old Country Roses teacup in England in 1967, and still have it. 
I have been selling it since the mid 1980s, and the first I knew the production had been moved, is when I saw a teacup at a shop that didn't look right. 
It was heavier, the hand applied brushed gold was missing and the patterns were not well applied...I turned it over and checked the ox...Indonesia. Yes, it was cheaper, but, oh my, the quality was not the same at all!
Under the subsequent controllers of the Royal albert brand... WWRD or Waterford Wedgwood Royal Doulton and the from 2015 Fiskars, the pattern has continued to be made out of the UK.



Speaking of quality, I also want to point out what to look for to identify second quality. At the potteries, the items were always quality checked, and if there was a flaw, but one that did not make the item totally unuseable, the mark is scratched though as shown in the example above. I don't know if it is still being done this way in Indonesia or China, but it was always done this way in the UK.



I hope this helps a little... some folks don't care, but some folks care... a LOT!

There are rumors in the UK pottery industry that Faskars is thinking of moving some production back to the UK because of quality, and much apparently depends on Brexit. If the UK separates from the EU... who knows?

All these pieces are available at Antiques And Teacups, plus other Old Country Roses items. All are identified by mark.
Cheers!

51 comments:

  1. Ruth, I have two sets of OCR teacups. One was made between 1962-1974 and the other was made after 2002. Although I'm happy to have both, the earliest one is nicer and you can tell the difference. Thank you for the info. I love learning the history of teacups.

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  2. Thanks for the informative post on one of my favourite patterns.

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  3. Ruth, I always appreciate the detailed information you give us. I was quite sure my OCR pieces were the original, but I just double-checked and, yes, they are! A friend gifted them to me a few years ago when she decided to downsize a bit.

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  4. I don't have any pieces of the Country Rose, Ruth, but I love it. Thank you for all ypur information that you share with us.

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  5. Just found your blog and read about Country Rose with interest. In the past I would see OCR in antique stores quite often and then last summer my 18 year old granddaughter shared with me that she really liked the CR she saw in pictures. Wonderful I thought and proceeded out to find her some pieces. Well now it seems not so easy to find. For me the thrill of antiquing is having something to look for so I will continue to search out Old Country Roses. Thank you for an informative post.

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  6. hi I have approximately 300 pieces from various years that I am in love with. The question I have is that I have some plates with the original back stamp with no date, however they have an impression of a circle around the back stamp. Does anyone know anything about this? Thanks Emma

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    Replies
    1. I have some question with respect to the impression of a circle around the stamp. If anyone has any insight into this I’d love to know. Thanks.

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    2. I have the same question! I am concerned it may not be the authentic original. You can see the big difference with the circle. Really hope to hear an answer to this question,

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  7. Thank you for the information. I inherited my grandmother's Old Country Rose china from my mother. I'm ashamed to say that I was a little disappointed to learn that my grandmother's china is from 1974-1980 and not from the first period. I'm ashamed because the value of my grandmother's china transcends money. My grandparents were of humble means and yet, connoisseurs. They made ends meet to raise 10 children. Still, my grandmother had her Royal Albert Old Country Rose china and my grandfather had his Italian made three-piece suit. I don't remember, even once, my grandmother's china coming out of her hutch. So I make it a point to take them out for every special occasion. Each time I do, I toast my grandparents. I treasure my grandmother's Old Country Rose china.

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    Replies
    1. That is a great story, thanks for sharing.

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  8. I have just inherited my mothers china set. I'm a little startled, as the marking on hershas no date stamp.but states made in Staffordshire?

    Please help

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  9. Thank you for a very informative article!

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  10. Hi,
    I purchased a set of Old Country Rose dishes and was trying to determine the value

    the back stamp is

    Old Country Rose
    Royal Albert
    Bone China
    c 1962 Royal Albert LTD

    could any one help me

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  11. I can as I’ve read the great article above. If your stamp doesn’t mention England yours are made after 2002 in Indonesia China or Taiwan

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  12. I found a 102 piece set. 80 of the pieces have the original stamp. I paid $300 for everything. Any idea if this was a good price?
    Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. I think you did. Ive just bought a 57 pieces original (8 x dinner set with extras + 8 tea set) for 680€, in Ireland.

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  13. My dad bought a setting of 8 in the 70s.
    Only the tea cups survive (house fire)
    According to this information they're made after 2002. Plainly incorrect.
    Purchased in Calgary, Canada in the 70s
    Do not say England on them. I've had them in my possession since April 2000.

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  14. Disregard my earlier comments.
    Seems some tea cups were added later that are indeed newer. My error

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  15. I have a stem vase with the back stamp as above however there is a no 42 next to the stamp. What does the number represent? Kind regards to all

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  16. Is the RA OCR celebration set a Christmas issue? Or a Ruby jubilee issue? It has Green and it has ribbons with the roses. Thanks for your help!

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  17. I have a set of royal albert cup saucers and teaplates. There are 3 designs, 2 of each , is this a proper set? They have on the bottom royal albert bone china England country fayre series dorset c with a circle around it 1977 royal albert ltd.how much would these be worth to sell. Thanks for any help or advice anyone can give me on these. Thankyou

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  18. Can you help with selling our late mother's Royal Albert country roses it's for 12 people and tea set and lots of extras it's so big

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  19. My tea set does not have any of the above stamps. It is similar to the stamps that says "made in England" but only has the word England - not "made in".

    The bottom reads:
    Old Country Roses (curved)
    ROYAL ALBERT (with the registered mark)
    BONE CHINA
    ENGLAND
    C (copy right mark) 1962 ROYAL ALBERT LTD (curved)

    Where is this from?

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    Replies
    1. That’s like mine! Mine were purchased in 1993 in an upscale department store. Obviously since England is on the label they are from England, but I’m glad to find that there are even more stamps than in the article according to the comments.

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  20. Hello, I love the information about the Old County Roses stamp and how to date it. Does this information on how to date the stamp also apply to the Moonlight Rose pattern by Royal Albert?

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  21. Some of my OCR has a wide gold band and some has a thin gold band. What's does this Mean? Thank you.

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  22. I have two sandwich trays with the original backstamp. One has significantly more gold edging than the other one. Why is that and does it affect the value? Thank you

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  23. I have 2 small teapots that only have a little area at the top that is open. The spouts are just for show and there is a small round hole on the bottom. I am trying to figure out what they are ?? I didn't know if they would have been used as salt and pepper with little spoons. I wish I could show you a picture of them. Let me know if there is anyway I can send you a picture. Thank you so much for any help you can give me.

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  24. Thank you for the information. As this is my wedding gift from my parents in 1989, I have received many ass on pieces and can now can check the origins.

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  25. Thank you so much for this. I'm thinking about buying some that is listed as vintage. It has the older mark, but not the oldest one. This definitely helps!~~Dee

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  26. I purchased a cup,saucer and dessert plate. 10 pieces each. I wonder how much its worth, it has Englang printed in back.

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  27. I have a set with markings saying "fine bone china, made in England along with the crown crest. I wonder if this is a genuine set or a copy.

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  28. I have inherited my mothers set of OCR and am using the cups daily as it reminds me of her. Looks like her set is made 72-80 with some serving pieces made after that. I appreciate the information.

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  29. We have this set and LOVE it! Thanks to your article I learned I have a set without the "made in" England, it says only England. If I read the article correctly our aet was produced before 1980 which is so bizarre to me because we didn't start purchasing pieces until after 1995 and always got them retail!

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    Replies
    1. Probably it was the old stock that is till for sale! Anyhow, it's a fine piece of history without breaking your bank compared with some fame potteries like Royal Crown Derby, etc.

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  30. Does anyone know why there is a circle around the stamp please

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  31. I do have one question. The shoe I just received from my mother appears to have been made between 1980-1993 the only difference is this one has a BP painted above the flowers pointed towards the tip of the shoe. I have do not see this in any of the pictures in the article and was wondering if there was ever any initialed?

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  32. If there's a "R" on the backside does that mean "Reject"?

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  33. What is the best label era to collect you have so much information thank you for sharing it John

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  34. If you’re a collector or just a person that loves history and art just collect what you like don’t worry about finances you can’t take it with you thank God that we live in the best country in the world and never forget the history that made it great that lets us enjoy the art from our ancestors thank you for having this Information posted for us to share John

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  35. Have a small royal albert country rose dish with hole in centre. Don’t know it’s use?

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  36. Wonderful information and so useful. I’ve inherited a tea service and was going to sell. However now I’m thinking to keep it.

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  37. hello! i have 4 mugs with the first marking (1962-1974) however they also have a 40 stamped on the bottom of the mug as well. i'm wondering what you make of this?

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  38. Thank you for this guide! I inherited a few dozen pieces from my grandmother, and I’ve been collecting my own for the past few years. It’s great to know the differences in production

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  39. I have a set of 8 of the 33/4” mugs with the original 1962 back stamp but there is also a number, B77-1, along with two tiny gold marks. Do you know what that means?

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  40. Just the information I needed, thankyou, makes total sense x

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  41. Thanks so much for sharing this . It looks like I have pieces from all different time frames . They are all lovely but definitely the original is better quality .

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  42. My husband gifted me with this entire set for Christmas as I have loved them since I was a child (in my 50s now!)
    He got me the entire set that is stamped 1962 England
    The real deal
    I am so proud of them and I’m not much of a material person but these were something I only dreamt of

    Absolutely love all of them and yes we eat on them every Christmas and any special occasion! Like winning a ballgame! I don’t “put stuff up for later”
    I enjoy it while I’m here

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  43. Can anyone tell me when the little handbag was made? It has Royal Albert, R, Old Country Roses, then C, 1962 Royal Albert Ltd stamped on the bottom?

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  44. I have a set with the
    Old Country Roses
    Royal Albert (R)
    Bone China
    England
    c 1962 Royal Albert LTD
    Which tells me it is from the 1974 - 1980 era, however, I have another set that states
    Old Country Roses
    Royal Albert
    Bone China
    England
    c Royal Albert LTD 1962
    What is the difference with the 1962 at the end?

    ReplyDelete

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