Edward Walter Locke: Master Potter 1829-1909

This book is the result of the first in-depth research on Locke & Co. Ltd. and will fill a void in the history of porcelain in Worcester. A common belief was that the Locke family came from Bristol or Swansea. In fact, Edward Walter Locke’s grandfather, Joseph, was born at Kempsey, a few miles from Worcester. He was employed in a China Works in Worcester, as was Joseph’s son Edward, father of EWL who became an apprentice potter. During 1895 a three acre site was purchased by EWL, then aged 66, and others to build a china manufactory. It was situated in Newtown Road in Worcester. In 1896 production began; there was no attempt to compete against Royal Worcester’s elaborate designs but rather to appeal to the artisan class who were improving their ability to buy better and more interesting items. The Court Case in 1902 and the demise of the Company in 1915 are fully recorded in the book.