Hi Colleen,
I read your posting regarding your query. Mr. John Cross and Philip Croucher of White Star Line International Limited have carried out over many years extensive research and are also consultants to many auction houses throughout the world those including Southebys, Christies, Philips and Bonhams to name a few.
It is with great pleasure to list the research that both gentleman have concluded :-
Records of several pattern numbers for designs used by the White Star Line. There is no information to suggest that any of the patterns were exclusive to White Star Line.
The patterns known to have been used by White Star Line for their ships are: pattern number 1/9608 introduced in about 1899; R416 introduced in about 1901; R3717 introduced in about 1909 and R4331, a modified version of R416, and R4332 both introduced in 1911. R4331 has a registration number 580303 dated 14th March 1911. This registered the pattern with the British Patent Office.
R416, R4331 and R4332, are similar designs for patterns for bone china and were richly decorated in gold and cobalt blue. R4331, with the company crest, OSNC (Oceanic Steamship Navigation Company) This is the pattern believed to have been used in the First Class Dining Room on the Titanic and her sister ship the Olympic. Pieces were excavated from the wreck of the Titanic together with ware made by other manufacturers.
A pattern on earthenware called Bradford, with registered number 461740, was produced with the White Star crest. This pattern was first registered in 31st July 1905. This was produced on a shape called White Star shape.
Another pattern on earthenware was a border of Star sheet pattern printed in blue and used with the OSNC crest in the centre. This is known to have been produced in the 1920s from an existing piece in a private collection.
There may be other patterns of which are as yet unaware, usually orders for ware would be placed through an agent for the White Star Line and Spode, as the manufacturer, would have no knowledge of the end use of the product. Indeed some customers remained anonymous. Copeland's agents for White Star were Stoniers of Liverpool whose records were destroyed in the war. John Stonier, who came from the Staffordshire Potteries, started Stoniers in Liverpool in 1861. By 1876 he had made his fortune and retired, the company was sold to Stuart Crystal of Edinburgh. In 1997 Liverpool jewellers David M. Robinson bought Stoniers just as it was about to be lost as one of Liverpool’s most famous names. The company continues to trade today with some of the original staff from Stoniers helping to maintain the tradition of china retailing in Liverpool.
Today Spode produces Lancaster Cobalt, one of the company's most prestigious patterns, which is similar in design to the cobalt and gold patterns used by the White Star Line.
The Crown Derby Factory in Derby also supplied dessert plates and other wares. They have limited archive material from that period dealing with the shipping line. They also have an example of the dessert service Crown Derby produced which can be seen in their Museum.
With sincere thanks to Mr. John Cross (Honorary Historian, Falkirk Titanic Society.)and Philip Croucher both gentleman Managing Directors of White Star Line International Limited.
