Advertising Plate, Albert Smith

Item Number: P1
Shape Type: Plate
Pattern Name: Standard Willow Border
Date: c. 1858
Dimensions: Diameter: 8.825 in
Maker: William T. Copeland
Maker’s Mark:

An earthenware advertising plate printed in blue underglaze with the  Standard Willow border pattern and with a brown underglaze printed portrait of Albert Smith.
c. 1858. Round shape, 8.825 ” in diameter. Excellent condition. See R. Copeland, Spode & Copeland Marks, p. 69, mark 243. “This rare mark occurs on a white earthenware plate depicting a portrait of Albert Smith who offered entertainments in ‘The Egyptian Hall,’ Picadilly, London, from 1852-1858.” The mark includes the location of Copeland’s showroom: “In about 1847…[Copeland took a new]showroom and shop at 160 New Bond Street.” Plate also has a blue workman’s printed mark, number 21, and an impressed number 4. AR Smith (1816-60) wrote several novels including the hugely popular ‘Christopher Tadpole’, contributed to Punch and lectured at The Egyptian Hall where these souvenirs were on sale.