History
William Henry Goss was an English potter who developed the souvenir trade in pottery with his 'Goss' crested china, and innovated the use of Heraldic Porcelain.
WH Goss moved to the Falcon Works in Stoke-on-Trent around 1870. In 1883, his son Adolphus joined the business and was a key figure in developing the souvenir trinkets that their pottery produced. The works was extended between 1902 and 1905, and before William died in 1906, he handed over the business to two of his other sons, Victor Henry and William Huntley Goss. In 1913, Victor Henry died in a riding accident leaving WIlliam Huntley in sole charge of the business. He wasn't interested in expansion, and the neglect saw it fell behind the times in terms of progress. In 1929, the business was taken over by Cauldon Potteries who continued using the Goss name. That same year, Goss were an exhibitor at the British Industries Fair in Birmingham and listed as manufacturing Ivory Porcelain, Teaware, Preserve Pots, Souvenirs and Art Pottery.
After being bought out by Harold T. Robinson, the Goss factory closed in 1944. In 1979, the two remaining kilns and the surviving warehouse/workshop range were given listed status.
The Explore
Had known abouit this place for a while and finally got to explore it a few weeks ago.
What i didnt realise was that it is smack bang in a residential area, but i wasnt going to let that put me off, so i just walked right on to site.
Inside the old work house is littered with old, heavy pottery moulds and equipment, some still in pretty good condition.
However the upper floors were pretty bare and in some parts had collapsed.
Still a pretty good explore plus getting inside the kilns was pretty cool.
William Henry Goss was an English potter who developed the souvenir trade in pottery with his 'Goss' crested china, and innovated the use of Heraldic Porcelain.
WH Goss moved to the Falcon Works in Stoke-on-Trent around 1870. In 1883, his son Adolphus joined the business and was a key figure in developing the souvenir trinkets that their pottery produced. The works was extended between 1902 and 1905, and before William died in 1906, he handed over the business to two of his other sons, Victor Henry and William Huntley Goss. In 1913, Victor Henry died in a riding accident leaving WIlliam Huntley in sole charge of the business. He wasn't interested in expansion, and the neglect saw it fell behind the times in terms of progress. In 1929, the business was taken over by Cauldon Potteries who continued using the Goss name. That same year, Goss were an exhibitor at the British Industries Fair in Birmingham and listed as manufacturing Ivory Porcelain, Teaware, Preserve Pots, Souvenirs and Art Pottery.
After being bought out by Harold T. Robinson, the Goss factory closed in 1944. In 1979, the two remaining kilns and the surviving warehouse/workshop range were given listed status.
The Explore
Had known abouit this place for a while and finally got to explore it a few weeks ago.
What i didnt realise was that it is smack bang in a residential area, but i wasnt going to let that put me off, so i just walked right on to site.
Inside the old work house is littered with old, heavy pottery moulds and equipment, some still in pretty good condition.
However the upper floors were pretty bare and in some parts had collapsed.
Still a pretty good explore plus getting inside the kilns was pretty cool.
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