These mugs were mostly, if not all, made in Staffordshire, but I agree that the scenery looks suspect. Perhaps the Staffordshire versions of the design were based on an original picture nicked from overseas?

Although they all look suspiciously similar, some of these mugs have very specific labels like "Liverpool and Manchester Railway". Some name locomotives like "Comet" and "Albion", but I don't know whether these were genuine locomotives or just names to put on the mugs!

The British pottery industry was a major exporter then.

These could be comissioned by an overseas railway company. With some examples retained here by the factory.

If that is the case I suspect they may be quite valuable. I suggest check the NRM website and contact them.

Thanks for such an interesting posting.

You put an idea in my head, Belmont Road. Maybe E.U.&M. was not a railway but a pottery? There were hundreds of potteries around the Stoke area in those days, mostly unknown today, so I've had a look and found a company called Ellis, Unwin & Mountford, who then teamed up briefly with somebody called Taylor, according to their entry in the London Gazette.

I think that's solved my problem - thank you - but you've raised a new hare: whether these mugs were principally made for an overseas market. I have no idea about that, but I can promise you that mostly they sell for next to nothing!

Looks like you've solved it well done!

Jack

Thanks to everyone for the trouble you've all taken - sorry it's turned out to be a damp squib!

No need to apologise, it was an interesting topic.:)

Sandy. I do railway historical research for a living now.

Nothing from the railway's past is a damp squib to researchers. I would still recommend that you contact the NRM. Someone may find these very interesting and helpful in their research.

Hi Sandy welcome to the forum (belated) glad to see you found what you were looking for. Hope you enjoy our company and look forward to your posts
Best wishes
Phil