R.W. Martin & Brothers,
 
Double-sided Face character jug, 1903,
Salt glazed...

R.W. Martin & Brothers,

Double-sided Face character jug, 1903,

Salt glazed stoneware,

Underside incised 'R.W. Martin / & Bros. / London / & Southall / 12-3.1903',

15.8cm high.

Together with important documentation relating to the purchase and operations of the Martin Brothers - including a photograph, brochures and a significant letter dated 1914 transcribed below.

Provenance:

Purchased directly from the studio at Southall in 1914 and thence by descent. Purchased by George Swinburne whilst he was in Australia, through an agent in England - Reverend W.G.Beardmore - and kept in the family until now.

Footnote:

Original letter from Reverend W.G. Beardmore to George Swinburne dated 26 June 1914 is included in this lot and transcribed as follows:

'Yesterday I went down to the Martins place in Brownlow St, Holborn to see what they were doing regarding your order; but I found the place closed. They have given up the shop; and are now only to be found at their works in Southall - 10 miles from London! It is a very grave error of judgement. They are very unworldly and unpractical men in relation to business. Moreover, two of the brothers are now dead. One died very suddenly; and unfortunately with him died some of the most important secrets of the production, blending of clay, firing and colour XXXXing. He had rather foolishly kept much of this a secret even from his brothers, and left no written record. He also was 'the thrower', or chief man at the wheel of the potter. He died with tragical suddenness, just as they were going to give a demonstration of their work at The Burlington Arts Club. There are now only 2 of them left; and one of them has had an operation upon the tongue, suspiciously suggestive of cancer. The eldest one (Wallace) however is fairly well, but getting old. He is the one who makes the face jugs. But I fear they will never again do work equal to that of the former days. The loss of the technical secrets which died with their brother, has left them nervous and terribly at sea. They were secrets which pertained to the soft glowing fusion of colour and the rich delicacy and subtle charm of surface. I find this lacking in their recent work. The samples which you bought in Melbourne were done in their best period; take great care of them.

I hope my letter, of a few days ago has reached you safely ....'

And he signs off 'NB. All our great treasure houses in London are closed owing to Suffragette Circus!'.

Also in this lot;

-another letter dated 9 December 1918, expressing the reverend's relief at having heard a letter from George Swinburne, and delight that the war is over. It concludes with a note regarding Martin-Ware advising to keep a firm grip on all that 'you have for you will never get any more; there is only one servicing brother in England / the greatest genius of ...',

- hand-written note in pencil noting the address of 'R W Martin & Bros Ltd Potteries, Havelock Rd, Southall' with telephone number 'Southall 1601' and directions,

- sepia photograph of the brothers, verso written in ink: 'Martin Bros making Martin Ware at the Studio, Southall Midsex England',

- rare brochure titled 'A NOTE ON THE WORK OF THE MARTIN BROS.' by Sidney Greenslade,

- newspaper cutting from The Times reporting the 'DEATH OF R.W. MARTIN',

- brochure entitled 'MARTINWARE' by Holbrook Jackson, Reprinted from T.P.s Magazine, November 1910, Richard Clay and sons, Suffolk.