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09 December 2019

Spode and Christmas 2019

Plate, 'Christmas Tree' pattern S2134, crimson border c1941
December is upon us and many will be thinking about Christmas.

Commercially this was a very important time for the Spode company as its most successful pattern in the 20th century was 'Christmas Tree'. In production, throughout the year, at the Spode factory in Stoke in England, this seasonal pattern was exported to the North American market in vast quantities.

Here's a fun fact: 'in the last quarter of 1999 Spode's Christmas Tree was recorded as the largest selling casual dinnerware pattern in the USA.'

So important was 'Christmas Tree' pattern for the success of the company, that I have given Christmas its own dedicated page on this blog. So, click Christmas and Spode for links to lots more about Christmas and Spode in general; a little bit of Christmas History; and more about the iconic Spode 'Christmas Tree' pattern.

Click here to find who really introduced the festive Christmas tree in England... no it wasn't Prince Albert... and more here.

Here are a few Spode patterns made for the Christmas season, in no particular order, to get you into the Christmas mood.
Plate, pattern D2035 c1860
Backstamps, pattern D2035
Plate, 'Christmas Tree' pattern S3324, green border 1991
Backstamps, note Q datemark after pattern number
Small plate, pattern D5208 c1868
Backstamps for pattern D5208


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I am grateful to Paul Hanson of Philadelphia who kindly shared images of his Christmas pieces with me.