Throwback Thursday

First - today is Molly's Birthday. She was born May 18, 2008.  She came to live with me when she was five years old. 

Here are a couple of pictures of her when she came to live with me. 

My Aunt Jo gave me these three busts.  I identify them as 

"Parian Historical Busts." 

late 19th/ early 20th C., impressed marks

 

I don't know where she got them but I had a piece that reminded me of my Uncle Dave and she wanted it for him so I gave it to her for him.  Then she gave me these to me.  I find them beautiful and so I have them now.  The one in the middle is Lincoln.  

Can you identify the others?

Robinson and Leadbeater mark

Robinson and Leadbeater, Wolfe Street, Stoke

Robinson and Leadbeater operated from their large works on the corner of Wolfe Street and Back Glebe Street from 1864-1924. They also operated a works at nearby Wharf Street from 1870 to about 1880. Adverts state the firm was established in 1850 - (although nothing is presented to show how this date was arrived at - it is the date that their predecessor Giovanni Meli started in business) "Glebe Street Works and Wharf Street Works   These two manufactories belonged to Robinson & Leadbeater and were confined to the production of Parian goods, of which they were among the largest producers. The Glebe Street Works were commenced in 1850 by a clever Italian figure-modeller named Giovanni Meli, who produced fine groups and single figures till 1865, when he sold the business, plant, moulds and machinery to Robinson & Leadbeater...." ... Messrs. Robinson and Leadbeater, Wolfe Street, Stoke. "In the manufacture of Parian statuary we understand that this firm is very prominent in the country. Established in 1850, their business has experienced the steady increase which is only obtained by careful attention to the details of the manufacture and of turning out their goods in the best style. In the large and imposing premises at the corner of Wolfe Street and Back Glebe Street they employ a large staff of artists and sculptors, who are constantly at work giving vent to artistic ideas, and while examining the extensive show rooms we were delighted to observe the beautiful specimens of statuary, busts, vases, plaques, etc., too numerous to detail here. Messrs. Robinson and Leadbeater have to be congratulated upon their staff, both of artists and sculptors, by whom they are well supported, and enabled to give studios in art which are so much appreciated by a discerning public. It would be superfluous here to go into the details of the manufactures exemplified by this firm, but by their mechanical appliances Messrs. Robinson and Leadbeater have, of course, been able to reduce the cost of production, and it is within their power, therefore, to place in the market many beautiful specimens at prices which not so long ago would hove been considered ridiculously small. The large quantity sent out from these works is not confined to the home market alone, but the foreign and colonial markets are also extensive purchasers." from: A descriptive account of The Potteries (illustrated) 1893 advertising and trade journal. Page 76 Tennyson and Longfellow are the others.