Spode and the Royal Warrants of Appointment
Royal Warrants are granted
to people or companies who have regularly supplied goods or services for a
minimum of five years to the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh or the Prince of
Wales.
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| The Spode logo incorporating the Royal Warrant |
Warrant holders represent a large
cross-section of British trade and industry including suppliers of a variety of
products and services ranging from agricultural machinery and computer
software; from dry cleaners to fishmongers and of course suppliers of quality
ceramics. For example in 2003 there were 800
warrant holders holding 1,100 warrants (some companies have more than one Royal
warrant).
Strict guidelines govern how the Royal Warrant should appear on Spode's marketing material, packaging, etc.
Spode is one of the companies whose records of Royal Warrants goes
back for many years.
The history of Spode and The Royal
Warrants of Appointment is as follows:
- 1806 - the first Royal Warrant was awarded to Josiah Spode II following a visit by the Prince of Wales and The Duke of Clarence to the Spode works in Stoke. He was appointed Potter and English Porcelain Manufacturer to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales.
- 1820 - Potter to H.M. King George IV
- 1866 - Manufacturers of China and Glass to H.R.H. The Prince of Wales
- 1901 - Manufacturers of China to H. M. King Edward VII
- 1910 - Purveyors of China to H.M. King George V
- 1938 - Purveyors of China to H.M. Queen Mary
- 1971 - Manufacturers of China to H.M. Queen Elizabeth II
With acknowledgements to the
British Monarchy website - www.royal.gov.uk for information about the Royal Warrants; and Robert Copeland; Spode and Copeland Marks and Other Relevant
Intelligence. Details on my booklist.