HISTORY/MARKS:  Coalport has a long and colorful history in the production of fine china with quality and craftsmanship as their hallmarks since the firm was founded in 1750 by Squire Brown of Caughley Hall in Shropshire using clay and coal from his estate.  John Rose (1772-1841), described as a purposeful and exacting individual, was apprenticed to Thomas Turner who was a potter with a revolutionary approach to making porcelain.  In 1799 when Squire Brown fell ill, Rose bought the pottery establishing a ceramic manufactory which would produce Coalport China.  Rose’s vision was to produce the highest quality bone china with the most brilliant colors possible.  In 1899 Coalport China (John Rose & Co.), became a limited liability company under its new owner, Peter Bruff.   The Bruff family continued to run the business until the 1924 purchase by Cauldon Potteries, Ltd.  Coalport continued as a separate concern, but in 1926 china production was moved from Shropshire to Cauldon Place Works in Shelton, Staffordshire.  When Cauldon went into receivership in 1932, Coalport was acquired by Harrison & Son.  Coalport became a member of the Wedgewood Group in 1967 and continues its high quality production to this date.  The mark on the these is identified in Geoffrey Godden's Encyclopedia of British Pottery and Porcelain Marks as mark #959 which was used 1891-1919 since the country of origin is identified as "England" (used before 1920), not "made in England" (used after 1919).