Description

Immediate dispatch from Somerset. Nice book in great condition. Pages in excellent condition. Plates bright and vivid. Some wear to dustcover.. Hardcover. English. See images for condition.

About the book >.>.> John Coke born in 1776 was the third son of the Squire of the Manor of Brookhill. As part of his formal education he travelled to the continent and during this time as fewitt suggested he visited the porcelain factories of Dresden. On his return to the Pinxton estate he wrote to William Duesbury II owner of the Derby Porcelain factory suggesting that clay found on the estate at Pinxton could be of use in the manufacture of porcelain. (It is interesting to note that according to Mr F. Smith of Pinxton during the excavations of the Ml motorway in 1965 pure white clay was found within half a mile of Brookhill Hall). He would not wish to have a rival factory in competition with him and tried to kill this young man’s enthusiasm. Fortunately at the same time Billingsley the senior flower painter was aware of Mr Coke’s interest and wrote to John Coke at Brookhill Hall and an interview took place at Mansfield in July 1795. Following this interview Billingsley wrote on the 22nd August 1795 outlining the possible financial renumeration likely to be forthcoming from a joint business venture. The calculation was based upon “70 Tea Sets per firing which is equal to 332 dozen of Tea Ware with an allowance of 1/7th wastage this to be sold in the white” je unfinished this would result in a clear profit of ?15.00 per week. It was assumed that the firing would take a week. Billingsley continued in his letter “The quality of the useful ware I shall produce is equal to Mr Duesbury’s I have been the habit of finishing his (Duesbury’s) most elegant patterns. I am practically acquainted with that part of the business so as to be able to say with propriety that I can superintend that part of the business. But I am certain that it is far more advantageous to finish the ware than dispose it in the white. (MP)