Part 2 - The cast of characters

Herford Hope

The Pottery Gazette records Herford Hope as the nephew of Mr Mayer of a pottery at Beaver Falls in Pennsylvania in the USA. The Mayer Pottery was established1881by Joseph, Arthur and Ernest Mayer. Michael Padwee points out a second site existed a little earlier in Trenton, New Jersey. This had a variety of names but the output of both potteries included sponge decorated ironstone. The Beaver Falls site has also been associated with tile production in a variety of styles including attractive gothic and majolica pieces.

Beaver Falls PA. Reproduced from Beaver Falls website.

Undoubtedly the experience Herford acquired from Beaver Falls pesuaded him to purchase and manage the pottery at Liverton.

Herford both managed the pottery, identified the clay body, worked on the glazes and brought in the key staff to take the pottery forward. It can be speculated that it was his drive and ideas that made the pottery a success. He died suddenly in 1941 leaving a complex will.

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