Pattern longevity is not at all unusual. A transfer printed pattern needed a complete set of engraved copper printing plates, which represented a considerable investment up front, so decent sales would be needed to recoup that. Also once engraved the plates could be used for many years, provided they were used carefully and repaired etc as necessary.
Spode's Italian pattern has been in continous production from 1816 to the present day, their Tower pattern virtually continous in different versions from 1814 to a few years ago. Asiatic Pheasants from about 1830, made by many, many potters in its hey day around 1880 and still made today by Burleigh. Burleigh's Calico pattern introduced in the early 1960s and still made today. Rhine pattern another Meir pattern, which was produced by a number of other potteries as well, over a long period. Roselle was made from 1848 through to about 1917, as Adams continued it after they took over the Greengates Pottery from Meir, having acquired the factory plus all contents, paterns etc. It was not unusual for a set of copper plates for a pattern to pass through the hands of 3 or 4 different potters, who may or may not have used the same name for the pattern. Texian Campaigne kept the same name, but was made over a long period by three different, successive owners of the printing plates.
Not all patterns would have been in continous production and some may have been rested for a few years and then brought out again. Some like the 19th Century pattern Arcadian Chariots were acquired by a fresh owner Cauldon, re-engraved and re-launched as Blue Chariot in 1924, selling steadily up to the 2nd World War. Adams made Abbey Wreath pattern in the 19th Century and George Jones acquired the printing plates at the bankruptcy sale in 1861, but did not relaunch it as their own Abbey pattern until 1901, from when it sold well until the 2nd World War again.
It is said that one printer at the the Weatherby pottery spent his entire 40+ years there printing only their popular flow blue Belmont pattern.
So longevity is by no means uncommon.
Regards
Andrew
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