86/207

Powell & Co Prices (Manufacturer)

This is a cream-coloured, glazed stoneware jar with a brown handle and neck. It was used by Alfred Matthews, a mineral water manufacturer at Reading, Berkshire, for storing liquid for drinking. It was manufactured in 1939 by the potters Prices, Powell & Co. of Bristol who were caught in the blitz during the Second World War in November 1940, so this jar would have been in a batch among the last produced at the pottery. The jar was found by the donor at a house in Winnersh, Berkshire. On the front of the jar is inscribed, 'A. MATTHEWS // 65-71 ELM PARK ROAD, // READING. // NO DEPOSIT ON THIS BOTTLE // UNAUTHORISED // PERSONS USING OR // DETAINING SAME // WILL // BE PROSECUTED // 1939'.

1 jar: glazed stoneware; good conditionStamp on side reads 'No deposit on this bottle; unauthorised persons using or detaining same will be prosecuted, 1939'. inscribed on screw cork 'Lucozade'.

MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'Standard museum name: JAR // Accession number: 86/207 // Classification: DOMESTIC Storing drink // Negative number: // Acquisition method: GIFT // Acquired from, date: MRS LEAN, [...], May 1986 // Store: small object // Condition: good // Recorder, date: JMB 10.10.86 // Description: Stoneware jar with narrow neck and handle. It has a screw cork and is glazed. Colour: cream body, brown handle and neck. // Dimensions: Height: 28.0cm Diameter, base: 14.0cm // Diameter, neck: 5.0cm. // Associated information: This jar was found at 67 Watmore Lane by Mrs Lean. // Inscription on jar: A. MATTHEWS // 65-71 ELM PARK ROAD, // READING. // NO DEPOSIT ON THIS BOTTLE // UNAUTHORISED // PERSONS USING OR // DETAINING SAME // WILL // BE PROSECUTED // 1939 // Alfred Matthews was a mineral water manufacturer. // References: Kelly's Directory for Berkshire 1939', MERL miscellaneous note – 'JAR // 86/207 // Domestic - storing drink // Note 'PRICE' (Bundel[?]) manufacturers oval stamp to be seen faintly just to the right of the top of the handle. // Price, Powell & Co. the pottery in Thomas Street, Bristol, was blitzed in November 1940 so this 1939 jar would have been in a batch among the last produced at the Pottery.'

Bristol

Ceramic, stoneware, Bark, cork, Glaze

Matthews, Alfred (Agent)