The collection is arranged into three series.
Series 1:
Series 2:
Series 3:
Scope and Contents:
Business records including correspondence, invoices, cancelled checks, drawings and blueprints, photographs, and safety and industrial pamphlets kept by Walter L. Shearer involving the pottery industry of Trenton, NJ. The records focus primarily on Scammell China Co. whose physical assets were briefly owned and sold by Shearer. The collection is divided in three series: Bartley Crucible/Walter Shearer Papers; Scammell China Co. Records; Pottery and Related Industries Materials.
The Bartley Crucible/Walter Shearer Papers are composed primarily of correspondence concerning the insurance and renovations of the Scammell China property. There are several building descriptions and inventories that were provided for insurance purposes. Some of the correspondence relates to tenants and purchasers of the property and assets. There is some general business material related to Bartley Crucible and Refractories Co.
The Scammell China Records consist of original and printed material documenting the Scammell China Co. from the 1920s to 1954. The materials include project and renovation proposals, product catalogues, sales records, photographs, blueprints, business correspondence, and marketing materials.
Pottery and Related Industries Materials is comprised of printed materials such as advertisements, brochures, newsletters, and catalogues.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into three series.
Series 1: Bartley Crucible/ Walter Shearer Papers, 1909-1989
Series 2: Scammell China Co. Records, 1928-1959
Series 3: Pottery and Related Industries Materials, 1926-1959
Biographical / Historical:
Trenton, New Jersey was the home of many pottery related industries during the early twentieth century. Bartley Crucible and Refractories Co. is one the few that remain in the area today. The company was established by Jonathan Bartley in 1908 and was relocated to the John Maddock and Sons Coalport Works building in 1930.
Walter L. Shearer, president of Bartley Crucible and Refractories Co., compiled records of his general business activities and the history of the Scammell China Co. property. The collection documents the Scammell China Property from 1909 when the Lamberton Company occupied the facility. In 1923, William Scammell purchased the property and opened the Scammell China Company. He continued to use the Lamberton name on certain lines of china. The Scammell China Co. produced china for hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and railroads between 1924 and 1954. In 1952, Albert Gasser purchased the company at auction. Shearer purchased, at auction, the physical plant of Scammell China on 10 December, 1954.
Provenance:
Collection donated by Arthur L. Shearer, son of Walter L. Shearer and president of Bartley Crucible and Refractories Co., to the Archives Center, on August 1, 1989.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
