Re: Edge, Malkin & co. platter.
Here is what I know so far. The maker, Edge, Malkin & Co (EMCo), operated from 1870 - 1903 in Burslem, Staffordshire, England. They were a substantial maker, we have 71 of their patterns in our Database, although most are childrens plates or aesthetic themes, rather than the Romantic or European invented themes (although there are a few) such as this platter. Our database includes this pattern, named "Festoon" (for the border more than the central image), on a plate marked and made by John Wedg Wood (NOT the Wedgwood we all know of). We do not have this platter version by EMCo. The curious factor is that Wedg Wood operated from 1841-1860, in nearby Tunstall, Staffordshire. It was indeed quite common for contemporaneous or later makers to either copy patterns from other makers or use the same source print (copyright laws were weak and rarely enforced). The engraved copper plates used to make these two items clearly are different, so EMCo did not inherit or purchase their later one from Wedg Wood. I can only guess that someone who had worked at Wedg Wood ended up at EMCo, or that someone at EMCo liked the pattern, or received an order for this pattern, had it engraved again, and produced it. The fact that there is a platter suggests that there are other dinner ware items in the series or possibly with the same pattern. One more item: it was not uncommon for makers to run short of a particular shaped piece and purchase that form from another maker, even if already marked. The purchasing maker would then print their pattern on the piece(s). But if that were to have happened here, we would have the Wedg Wood mark, and not the EMCo mark. I'll post again if I find out anything more.
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