This comprehensive history of the Armitage pottery traces its early struggles and subsequent success under Edward Johns, who transformed it into a leading producer of sanitary ware. Initially facing significant challenges, the pottery found stability through innovation and a shift in focus towards high-quality toilets, washbasins, and other fixtures that met the growing demand for modern plumbing in Victorian Britain.
The book blends technical history with a vivid portrayal of daily life in Armitage, using diaries, letters, and factory records to illustrate the experiences of the workers. It offers a detailed look at the evolution of the pottery’s products while providing a snapshot of life in a Victorian industrial village, showing how the rise of a local industry shaped the community and contributed to the broader story of Britain’s industrial growth.