Obituary from the Mayfield Monitor’s Wednesday, 8-14-1895 edition:
“T. B. Waller died at his home…after complication of diseases after illness of only a few days. About two years ago, he came to Mayfield…engaged in queenware business until his death.”
Queenware? The online World English Dictionary says queensware is “a type of light white earthenware with a brilliant glaze developed from creamware by Josiah Wedgwood and named in honor of his patroness, Queen Charlotte”. Wedgwood gifted Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, with a tea set made of this tableware which resulted in Wedgwood being appointed Potter to Her Majesty in 1765. Upon receiving the Queen’s permission this tableware was called Queen’s Ware.
Queen’s Ware was not an original invention of Wedgwood but a refinement and development of a cream coloured earthenware already produced in several potteries in Staffordshire, England. Queen’s Ware rapidly became the generic name for creamware. In 1767, Wedgwood wrote to a friend that “it was really amazing how rapidly the use of it (Queen’s Ware) has spread almost over the whole globe, and how universally it is liked.” It was also apparently very affordable in cost for the non-royals.
Wedgwood’s Queen’s Ware is described as being able to stand sudden changes in heat and cold without “injury” and made in a “fine form, thin body, clear and brilliant glaze which formed a perfect background for the ingenious enamellers as well as other more mechanical forms of decoration”. Queen’s Ware will have a mark and the words “Queen’s Ware” on the underside. A partial dinner service of Queen’s Ware, circa 1790, with impressed marks and gilt was auctioned for $17,719 at Christie’s in November of 2008.
So, if Mr. Waller sold Queen’s Ware, and grandma was one of his customers, there may be cash in your cupboard!
(Information used in this posting found in the Graves Co. KY Newspaper Genealogical Abstracts, Volumn 4, Mayfield Monitor Jan. 1894 to April 1896, Copyright 1981 by Don Simmons; Internet sources at http://dictionary.reference.com/browse, www.wedgwoodmuseum.org.uk, www.thepotteries.org/types, and www.christies.com)