In 1800 porcelain was made, and was continued throughout the century and at the present day.
From 1790-1798 blue and white earthenware in imitation of common Nankin largely made. In 1798 semi-porcelain was made. Felspar china, similar to Spode and stone china, in common with other Staffordshire potters, was largely produced. From 1836-1841 the firm was Minton & Boyle, and afterwards Minton and Hollins, and at the present day Minton is one of the best-known English firms.
Not many of the early earthenware pieces were marked, and it is difficult to distinguish Minton's firm from some of the fine blue-printed ware of Adams and of Mason.
This +B B+ mark appears on all stone china of Minton from 1845-1861, signifying _Best Body_.
The name MINTON was not stamped nor impressed on the ware till after 1861.
About 1823 the _Amherst Japan_ pattern was made, and has a printed mark in a scroll. It is frankly imitative of Spode and the Derby-Japan style.
A rhomboidal mark with the letter +R+, sometimes "+R^D+," signifying that the design is "Registered," and having +M & Co+, is not confined to Mintons, as other potters used the same mark with their names or initials underneath. It is quite late and on ware not likely to appeal to the collector.
The marks of Mason are found, after 1813, either impressed in a straight line or having the mark under a crown and in scroll, on his celebrated ironstone china printed in blue.
[Illustration: MASON'S PATENT IRONSTONE CHINA (_impressed_)]
His semi-porcelain or Cambrian-argil bears the name on the ware, and was intended to compete with Swansea.
An illustration of the mark on stone china, marked "Fenton Stone Works, C J M & Co," is given on page 451.
It should be mentioned that the blue-printed mark with a crown and scroll does not necessarily mean that the ware (especially in the hexagonal set of jugs) is old. It is still used at the present day by Messrs. Ashworth, who are reproducing some of the old and favourite patterns. Collectors are advised to buy one of these jugs as a model to compare it with the older work.
The mark of Pindar, Bourne & Co., of Burslem, who made red terra cotta spill vases decorated in colours and gold with arabesque designs, about 1835. In 1880 the factory passed into the hands of Messrs. Doulton.