Johnson Brothers-Old British Castles Pink-

Johnson Brothers-Willow Blue

History of Johnson Brothers China:

In 1883 at a small factory called Charles Street Works in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, England the two sons of Robert Johnson, Frederick and Alfred, established a partnership called Johnson Brothers for the manufacture of durable Earthenware, which they called "White Granite". In 1888, the elder brother Henry joined forces. In addition to manufacturing well-potted white ware, they began producing under-glaze printed ware for which they became famous.

Due to the increased demand for pottery after the Civil War, they opened up two new factories in Hanley close to their original factory. By 1898, they had five different factories producing tableware. In 1899 and 1909, new mills were constructed to supply Johnson Brother's own factories and outside customers in the trade with prepared Flint and Cornish stone for use in pottery bodies.

A fourth brother, Robert, had joined the company by 1896 and set up an office in New York City. He traveled across the country with dinnerware samples in order to further stimulate the demand for Johnson Brother's products in North America. Alfred left the company by this time, while the sons of the founders began to become involved. With the new efforts from the family members, they began to concentrate on expansion efforts, overseas markets and the improvement of business methods. By 1913, they began to focus their efforts on the German market where they opened a plant for production to increase business and for a reduction in labor and freight rates. This project was terminated at the start of World War I and was never to be re-established in later years. During the war period from 1914-18, business became extremely limited due to a large majority of the labor force joining the Forces and the danger of naval transportation.

At the start of the Twenties, new shapes, patterns, and bodies were introduced and the "Dawn" range of colored bodies began for which Johnson Brothers became very well known. New methods were developed for making hollowware items which allowed for a more rapid production over the old method of using pressed clay. At the end of the Twenties, the grandsons of the founders entered the business.

During the Thirties was seen the closure of the Charles Street Works, the original factory. It was not until the mid-Thirties that the factories got under full production. At the end of the Thirties, was seen the development of modern systems of firing using electricity as fuel rather than raw coal and new brick-built tunnels using an automatic ware-propelling system replaced the traditional "Bottle Ovens." The more accurately controlled firing system meant better quality and less loss and the conditions for the workers was much more superior than before. A new mold-making department and making shops accompanied the construction of the electric kiln.

During the second world war there was a delay in the construction of the new Tunnel Kilns which was resumed and linked with plans to improve production processes afterwards

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