Established in 1890 as an earthenware manufacturer, Wiltshaw
& Robinson began to produce Carlton Heraldic China. They developed their
lustres after the First World War, having perfected twelve colours by 1924.
The firm went into receivership in 1931 and merged with Birks, Rawlins &
Co. Ltd the following year.
Renamed Carlton Ware in 1957, the firm was purchased by Arthur
Wood & Son (Longport) in 1966. The firm was then purchased by County Potteries
Plc in 1987, going into voluntary liquidation in 1991. The assets were acquired
in 1997, and Carlton Ware is still being made today in Stoke on Trent. No Guinness
ware is made, but there are a wide range of collectables. Head office - Francis
Joseph, 108 Canberra Rd, London, SE7 8PE.
GUINNESS advertising ware has been the target of unscrupulous
forgers since 1991. The story of the forger's
demise is also fascinating (extracts taken from "Carlton Times"
and with the express permission of Carlton Ware Collectors International, PO
Box 161, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 6GA, England).
Below is a list of ORIGINAL Carlton Ware items that are known to have been illegally
produced. The GCC hopes the detailed information will assist you in successfully
identifying the fakes.
Note: If it is claimed that an item was produced on behalf of GUINNESS®
and carries a Carlton Ware backstamp BUT DOES NOT FEATURE HERE, it is an illegal
fake that was NEVER PRODUCED BY CARLTON WARE.
Click images to enlarge.
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Toucan Bar Decoration and Lampbase - c1956/57
The beak and chest are a rich vibrant orange FADING
to yellow. Nice detail around eyes and outside of tail is red at bottom,
streaking into white/black. The feet stand on a circle of brown - 15mm
of cream coloured froth to top of pint.
Note: A limited number of Toucan lamps were also made for the Irish market
in 1961 by a company called Arklow Pottery Limited. No fakes of this variation
are known to exist.
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The Toucan - c1956
Notice the rich vibrant orange colour, gradually giving way to the lovely
yellow. The eye decoration is neatly painted and the dark blue/green feet
are also a good indication of authenticity.
The ‘pint’ should have a 5mm head of creamy froth, matching
the base colour.
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The Zookeeper - c1956
The tunic colour is the easiest guide to checking for authenticity - the
original having an all over dark green uniform, including his hat.
The baby Kangaroo protruding from his pocket is nicely
detailed with ears and paws both visible. The Zookeeper’s face and
hands have a pink tinge and the white tunic straps on his back contrast
neatly against his dark green overalls. Cream coloured base. |
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The Ostrich - c1956
A wonderful, delicate piece. Superb feather decoration and yellow beak
(with black line to form beak separation).
Legs, head and pint in neck are pink and a pink blush to tail feathers.
Cream coloured base.
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The Kangaroo - c1956
A lovely rich brown, fading to a creamy colour down it’s front.
Nose, mouth, eyes and eyebrows are highlighted in black, as are its toes
and paw-nails!
Look for a nicely painted, moulded bottle of GUINNESS in it's pouch.
Cream coloured base.
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The Tortoise - c1956
The Tortoise is very robust and more likely to have survived the test
of time. Probably for this reason, it
appears regularly on the collecting circuit.
Note detail to face and feet and light green areas. 5mm creamy head to
pint and cream coloured base.
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The Sealion - c1956
Unlike most forgeries, the original Sealion is black. It’s eyes
are neatly painted white and notice how the
base beneath it is a rich, brown colour. Has 1mm of creamy froth on top
of pint.
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The Drayman - c1957
Full of detail – notice the contented look on the horse’s
face! The original will also come with an intricately painted red and
white-spotted neckscarf, in which the Drayman has hung a bottle of GUINNESS.
Cream coloured base.
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Flying Toucans - c1957
Rich orange beak shading to yellow on top. The folded back feet are painted
neatly covering only the feet moulding. 4-6mm creamy head on pints and
lovely detail to eye.
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The Toucan Jug - c1958
3 variations of this item. The one pictured also comes with a plain beige
base. The third example also has a beige base but the 'My Goodness My
Guinness' wording is replaced with a harp logo and the word 'Guinness'
underneath.
Check the toucan handle - its beak and chest should
be a rich vibrant orange FADING to yellow. Outside of tail is red at bottom,
streaking into white/black. Nice detail around eyes and 15mm of cream
coloured froth to top of pint.
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The Toucan Wall Plaque - c1960
Once again, the toucan itself is the first place to check for authenticity.
Its beak and chest should be a rich vibrant orange
FADING to yellow. Outside of tail is red at bottom, streaking into white/black.
Nice detail around eyes and 15mm of cream coloured froth to top of pint.
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Penguin Lampbase - c1962
Rich, vibrant orange and yellow beak with good detail to eyes. Blue plaque
and neatly painted orange feet.
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The Penguin - c1964
Rich, vibrant orange and yellow beak with good detail to eyes. Black body
with white front and blue oval plaque on it's chest with the words "Draught
Guinness" in yellow. It has a light blue base.
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