In the first ever biography of the man who is credited with inventing Heraldic Porcelain and his family who worked with him and at times against him. The authors tell the story of Goss China in fascinating detail. From a promising start as literary student William Henry Goss used the important contacts he made in London to carve himself a career in the pottery industry in Stoke-on-Trent. At first he produced limited, expensive range of Parisian and figurines, but with the entry of his sons Adolphus and later Victor and Huntley into the business production switched to the small white models baring colourful coats of arms for which the firm became famous.

The authors recount the stories of Godfrey, who ran away to New Jersey with a factory paintress, began a pottery there and founded the American branch of the family: the surprising Falkland Island connection, still continuing today: why William refused to speak to his wife for the last twenty years of his life and how he cam to have four homes all at the same time. The history of the three periods of production is complemented by fascinating chapters on how the porcelain was both manufactured and sold through virtually every town in the country. The book is illustrated with over 350 photographs and maps, includes much material not previously published and comprehensive family trees.

260mm x 217mm 250 pages. 350 illustrations, 5 family trees, biography and glossary, Case-bound £19.95.