Match Striker
Gallery 
Match Striker
Gallery
Manufactures
(click to view match strikers and company history)
Charles Allerton &
Sons
Arkinstall & Sons Ltd (Arcadian China) Beswick Birks, Rawlins & Co W.T. Copeland & Sons Ltd (Spode) Doulton & Co Ltd Dudson Empire Porcelain Co (Ltd) Fieldings & Co Grimwades Ltd (Royal Winton) F. & W. Goebel Co Gouda Ralph Hammersley & Son  Edward Jones & Co Ltd Lister Lovatt & Lovatt James MacIntyre & Co Manor Ware Mintons Olivant Potteries Ltd F. & R. Pratt & Co (Ltd) Price, Bristol Prinknash Abby Pottery A.G. Richardson & Co Ltd (Crown Ducal) Salopian Art Pottery Co "Victoria" Schmidt & Co (GEMMA) Shelley Potteries Ltd Soho Pottery Ltd Taylor, Tunnicliff & Co Unknown Makers Watcombe Wedgwood Wiltshaw & Robinson (Carlton Ware) (1) Wiltshaw & Robinson (Carlton Ware) (2) W. Wood & Co Composite Section
(brings together information on types of match striker from elsewhere on the site) Advertising Match Strikers Crested Match Strikers |
Company History Mintons was founded around 1793 by Thomas Minton, a master engraver who had previously produced work on commission for the potteries of Adams, Wedgwood and Spode. In 1796 Joseph Poulson a neighbor and potter became a partner in the firm. His brother Samuel Poulson, a modeler also worked with them. In 1836 the firm fell under the control of Thomas Mintons son Herbert, who went into partnership with John Boyle, however this was dissolved in 1841 (Boyle moved to Wedgwood). In 1847 Herbert Minton perfected Parian ware, a imitation marble body, and a variety of artists and sculptors were commissioned to make use of it including Leon Arnoux a French ceramic chemist and artist, who was also instrumental in the introduction of Majolica Ware glazes and designs which also became very popular. Two of Mintons Nephews, Hollins and Campbell then took over the running of the firm when Herbert Minton retired in 1856. This partnership continued for 10 years, after which Hollins left to pursue tile manufacture leaving Campbell in sole charge. The Campbell family then managed the firm for several generations. Mintons ceased to be an independent pottery in the 1990s when it amalgamated with Doulton. Marks All three marks shown
also feature the names of the companies
the match strikers were made for. The first dates between 1873 and
1911. The addition of a wreath and the change from Minton to Mintons on
the second example date this to after 1912.
   The first match
striker (sadly in poor condition) advertises
Worthington bottled beer, the strikes are on the side. The next three
advertise Bass bottled beer. The second is almost identical to a
similar match striker produce by Doulton.
The next two strikers are near identical, but differ in date as the
latter has a 'trademark' addition after the Bass in Bottle logo.
Both also incorporate an ash
trays. The final advertising striker is for Club Matches, manufactured by Bryant & May.
     Guinness Matchbox Holder Mintons made a very attractive matchbox holder to advertise Guinness, and example of which is shown below
   REPRODUCTION or FAKE Guinness Matchbox Holder An extremely common reproduction or fake is a copy of the genuine Guinness matchbox holder made by Mintons shown above. It is possible that this item MIGHT be produced under license from Mintons, now part of the Doulton group but I have had no response to emails asking about this (however I have checked with the Guinness Collectors Club who believe the item is not genuine). Compared to the original the item has printed (rather than painted decoration), the matchbox well is white (rather than brown), the body of the piece is white clay (rather than a darker colour) and it is lighter in weight. The base is marked as follows GA/A/254, PRODUCED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY MINTONS LTD., STOKE- ON-TRENT, RGD.NO 778941.   |
