Rare Vintage Abbeydale Imperial English Bone China 26 Piece Dinner Service

Very Rare Vintage (1960s) Abbeydale Imperial English Fine Bone China 26 Piece Dinner Service. In beautiful condition without any chips, cracks or crazing, one cup seems to have internal discolouration other than that perfect. Gold gilding is as new. Please browse all 12 sets of photographs attached for size, weight and condition as they are self explanatory. This is a vintage set but looks new.

1 Double handled triple footed Bowl. 1 small triple footed dish. All items have the "Abbeydale" back stamp with the exception of the footed dishes (as shown in photographs attached).

I'm unsure why these two serving pieces are not stamped. I'm not an expert in Abbeydale bone china and all pieces appear to be first grade. I've been advised by a retired porcelain expert some Abbeydale serving pieces for some reason were never back stamped! With porcelain manufactures, generally, second grade pieces (seconds) usually have a scratch through the back stamp mark to make seconds identifiable.

None of these pieces have any such mark as they are all first grade quality. The highly esteemed Abbeydale New Bone China Co. Abbeydale was founded in January 1961 by Mrs. Edith Robinson, her sister Mrs. Edith Robinson's husband, Philip I.

Lochrane joined the Abbeydale Board in 1963. Robinson was the former Chairman and Managing Director of Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Co. Ltd (a company once owned by the Robinson family with Robinson stepping down as Managing Director of Royal Crown Derby in 1960 and leaving the company in 1961). Production began in July 1962 under the direction of works manager William Corfield, there were eight patterns initially and these were applied to bought-in white ware by the staff of about 26. In April 1962 the company leased a portion of the Jason Works, Stoke-on-Trent and began to manufacture its own shapes. The biscuit ware was then transported to Duffield for decoration and glazing and dispatch.

By mid 1964 the company was supplying the up-market London retailer Thomas Goode & Co. And were exporting to Europe, North America and Australasia. Despite the Abbeydale directors' enviable ceramic industry background and technical expertise, financial problems beset the new venture and in August 1964 the local Derbyshire business of Pearson & Co. (Chesterfield) Ltd took a controlling interest, Abbeydale becoming a member of the Pearson Group. After further financial problems the Duffield factory was closed in May 1974 and production under the Abbeydale name ceased.

Pearson & Co (Chesterfield) Ltd was itself placed in receivership in 1982, however, Abbeydale patterns and even the Abbeydale name have been used by various later owners up to at least 2002. Abbeydale produced highly decorated dinnerware, tea and coffee ware, fancy china and giftware, the bone china blanks being manufactured at the Jason Works and the intricate decoration completed at the Duffield factory. Stylistically, the Abbeydale patterns were similar to the Royal Crown Derby factory's Imari ware and a distinguishing feature was the use of the chrysanthemum flower in many of the patterns. The Abbeydale wares are of high quality and were distributed through Thomas Goode & Co. Tiffany's and similar sophisticated retail outlets. Limited editions for the collectors' market were an important part of the business. The mark includes the name'ABBEYDALE'. This item is in the category "Pottery, Ceramics & Glass\Decorative Cookware & Tableware\Cup & Saucers". The seller is "santoor-uk" and is located in this country: GB. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Origin: UK
• Number of Items in Set: 26
• Shape: Round
• Signed By: Abbeydale
• Occasion: All Occasions
• Custom Bundle: No
• MPN: Imperial
• Year Manufactured: 1960s
• Manufacturer/ Type: Abbeydale (Duffield, Derbyshire)
• Colour: Multi
• Vintage: Yes
• Date Range: 1960-1979
• Original/Licensed Reproduction: Original
• Capacity: As In Photographs Attached
• Item Height: As In Photographs Attached
• Style: Traditional
• Featured Refinements: Bone China Dinner Service
• Features: As In Photographs Attached
• Production Style: Bone China
• Finish: Glossy
• Handmade: Yes
• Pattern: Imperial
• Use: Tableware
• Signed: Yes
• Item Diameter: As In Photographs Attached
• Material: Porcelain/ China
• Set Includes: As In Photographs Attached
• Date: 1960s
• Sub-Type: British
• Brand: Abbeydale
• Boxed/ Unboxed: Unboxed
• Type: Dinner Service
• Product Type: Dinner Services
• Original/Reproduction: Vintage Original
• Theme: British
• Time Period Manufactured: 1960-1969
• Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
• Production Technique: Pottery
• Backstamp: Printed
• Item Weight: As In Photographs Attached
• Product Line: Abbeydale Imperial