Blue and White Souvenir Plate with Portrait of William Shakespeare by Samuel Hancock & Sons, 1904

Description

Blue and white transferware wall plate by samuel hancock & sons decorated with a central portrait of william shakespeare, the … more Blue and white transferware wall plate by samuel hancock & sons decorated with a central portrait of william shakespeare, the border with various associated views and his signature, circa 1904.

printed makers marks on back: shakespeare - opaque china - s h & s - england - reg no 428264

collector's notes:

this souvenir plate illustrated with an image of william shakespeare (1564-1616) features a copy of his signature, and around the rim six views of places in stratford-upon-avon with which he was associated: the room in which he was born; the exterior of his house; anne hathaway's cottage; a view of the town and the river; the church where he was buried, and the first shakespeare memorial theatre which opened in 1879 but burned down in march 1926.
the company which made this plate was founded in tunstall, in the potteries, by sampson hancock in 1857; it closed in 1937. It was a relatively small enterprise, employing around 150 people. Sampson hancock died in 1900 and was succeeded in the business by his sons. The company produced tablewares and fancies for the popular market - its main income being from semi-porcelain and earthenware tablewares, toilet wares, vases and vitreous hotel wares.

similar piece in the victoria and albert museum collection. This piece has an attribution mark,
i am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
issues arising from misattribution less