Artifacts from the 1866 Shipwreck “Baltic”

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William Adams IV

William Adams IV was the son and first partner of William Adams III. In 1819 when he became partner, the name of the firm was changed to William Adam and Son, and subsequently to William Adams & Sons when three other sons joined the firm.

William Adams IV was a prolific producer of American scenic and historic China. On his father's death bed he became managing director of the family business.

Around 1834 he built the Greenfield pottery in Tunstall, England, the first important pottery manufacturer there, to which the firm's offices, styled Adams & Sons, were moved. Active in the American trade, he visited the United States in 1821 and 1825. Then, or later, he secured prints of American scenes done after paintings by Thomas Cole, W.G. Wall and others.

In 1966 the Adam's firm was amalgamated with the Wedgewood group.

Some of the items recovered from the "Baltic" shipwreck, and identified as work produced by Adam's includes:

1. The Imperial French Porcelain Porridge Bowls
2. The Porcelain Soup Bowls - 1858 Greenfield Potteries
3. The Corn Jugs - 1858
4. The Blue Worm Bowls and Blue Mochaware Bowls
5. The Banded Creamware Cider Mugs
6. The "Spongeware" Seaweed Design Cider Mugs (Mochaware)
7. Two Minature Tea Sets including cups and saucers, Teapot with lid, cream jug, and sugar bowl