Edward Thomas Brown Radford was born in 1882 to an established family
of potters. He was the son of Edward Thomas Radford, who trained at
Wedgwood and would later become one of the leading potters at Pilkington
Tile and Pottery in Manchester, England. His father worked at Pilkington
from 1903 until his retirement in 1936. He marked his pieces with an
incised "ETR" mark. His contemporaries described him as having the
ability to throw pots of any size. Edward joined his father at Pilkingtons
in 1905. In 1907 he married Jenny Harris. However, the Great War interrupted
both his life and career. He also appears to have had a brother Albert who
is associated with production of pottery in Tiffin, Ohio.
After the war, Edward Radford moved to Stoke-on-Trent and returned to
pottery. According to an advertisement in the Pottery Gazette in 1920,
he spent time representing various manufacturers and merchants. The
Radford Handcraft Pottery was established in 1930 as part of H. J. Wood
Ltd. in Burslem. Their products consisted of vases, jugs, and bowls in
floral, cottage or tavern scenes, and art deco designs, as well as stylized
landscapes, such as the "Trees" and incised "scraffiato" designs. It was
hand thrown with a matte glaze. These early pieces are the most sought
after by collectors. In the thirties the inventory was expanded to animal
figurines. Although there were approximately 15 paintresses employed at
any one time, the "Trees" patterns were painted by one man, James Harrison.
Many of the designs were conceived by Mabel Hadgkiss NRD. She was trained
at the Burslem School of Art by Gordon Forsyth. Some patterns were also
designed by the paintresses themselves. Mr Radford liked to refer to them
as his "artists". The pottery continued to produce during World War II.
In 1948 he retired. He and his wife moved to Derbyshire as caretakers of a
home owned by the Church of Christ. In 1954 they moved back to Manchester.
During that time, he gave pottery classes at Cheetham Hill College for a
number of years. Edward Radford died in 1969.
After the 1948 retirement of Edward Radford, H. J. Woods continued to make
pottery using Radford's trademark for several years. The difference being
that the pieces were moulded instead of being handthrown. Some of the patterns
were similar or identical to the earlier pieces. However, over time new designs
were added. These new pieces are the typical designs of the later Radford pieces.
They usually were handpainted flowers with a subtle wash over the white clay.
They are usually marked with a two-letter pattern number, identifying the design.
Samuel Radford of Fenton is not connected with pottery of Edward Radford. Samuel
Radford mainly produced china dinnerware.
Also, some names such as "Elizabeth", "Eric" or "Eleanor" Radford are sometimes
given by dealers when describing E. Radford. These are not valid names.
MARKS
Radford Pottery earlier pieces are usually marked "E. Radford Made in Great
Britain", "E. Radford Burslem" or just "E. Radford". These pieces, are almost
always handthrown, having a sponged background in shades of blue, brown, green or
beige, and is usually decorated with floral designs or landscape scenes under a
matte glaze. These earlier pieces are the most sought after. Obviously, the more
desirable patterns obtain the highest prices. The "Woods" pieces, marked "E. Radford
England, Hand painted" are also very collectible and more easily found.The popular
pattern, "Anemone", is coded JN. It is a favorite with many collectors. The JN pattern
continued to be used for many years after the war.
To view examples of Radford Pottery:
Radford Pottery
More Radford Pottery
RESOURCES:
Edward Radford Pottery
E.T.Radford Collector's Club
Schroeder's Antiques Price Guide - 18th Edition, 2000
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