A recent letter to the Editor asked about the numbers and letter that could be seen within the diamond shaped lozenge found within the designs of some of the potlids.

The first Copyright Act was introduced into this country in 1709 and was purely a literary affair. In 1787 the Act was extended to commercial use, but only for the printing of linens, cottons and calicoes; gradually other goods came into the Act, but in 1842 the whole of the previous legislation on designs was swept away and an amended and consolidation Act, called the Designs Act was passed.

This Act divided the goods into thirteen different classes and registration of a design gave protection varying from nine months to three years. Goods made of earthenware, bone and papier mache came under Class IV (indicated in the top part of the registration mark) and were protected for three years.

 

The lozenge shaped mark seen on Pot Lids and other earthenware was a code index given to the person registering a design (today a number is used). It was in use from 1842-1883.

FIG A shows the 'lay-out' within the lozenge as used between 1842-1867

FIG B shows how the 'lay-out' changed but the letter and the numbers were still used.

It was an offence for any unauthorised person to apply this mark to any article under a penalty fine not exceeding £5 for each offence.

By means of the letters and numbers on these marks the date of registration can be ascertained and reference to the Patent Office will give the name and address of the person who registered the design.