The Midwinter Pottery was founded in 1910 in Burslem, Staffordshire by William Robinson Midwinter. When his son, Roy joined the company in 1946 he revolutionized British tableware with new, innovative styles from youthful up and coming designers. Among these had been Terence Conran, Hugh Casson, Barbara Brown and regarded to become one of the most essential with the new designers, Jessie Tait. Throughout the 1950s Midwinter was 1 with the leading producers of elegant tableware, production was aimed at the younger marketplace and inexpensive contemporary designs and patterns had been released that distanced themselves through the post war austerity. The organization constructed a effective international reputation at this time and also the theme of new, youthful and vibrant style continued via the 1950s and into the 60s. The organization went from strength to strength with Op Art, Geometrical Designs, Flower-Power and Psychedelic patterns dominating its styles. Regrettably because of monetary pressures Midwinter was taken more than by J & G Meakin in 1968. Today vintage Midwinter tableware and coffee pots are highly sought after, especially pieces made by Jessie Tait and Terence Conran.
James Meakin established a Pottery at Hanley, Staffordshire in 1851; the firm was later taken more than by his sons James & George and became J & G Meakin. The launch with the fashionable 'Studio' shape tableware in 1964 increased the company's popularity. The shape which was designed by Tom Arnold was tall and slender; not unlike the 'Cylinder' shape created by Portmeirion. The shape was hugely effective and was produced in a large variety of brightly coloured styles which reflected the shifting tastes in 60's fashion and style. Today these retro vintage coffee pots are major collectables simply because of their shape which display well and also the wide variety of colourful patterns evocative with the changing designs with the period. When Meakin took more than the Midwinter pottery in 1968 they inherited their top designer Jessie Tait. This proved highly effective for Meakin as Tait went on to style 1 of their most popular ranges with the period; Inca.