Pountney's Retailers

Pountneys were retailers themselves, as they are listed in as "China, glass and earthenware dealers" section of the trade directories at "Causeway, Fishponds" between 1905 and 1915.  Presumably there was a shop on the premises.  It may have closed due to the First World War, many businesses seem to have come to an end then.

Baileys Stores

For a time after the second world war, which had resulted in the destruction of much of Bristol's shops in the town centre, Gloucester Road became an important shopping area.  As a small boy I remember the Saturday visits to the area, including the delights of Bailey's Stores.

The Illustrated Bristol News for October 1961 carried the following advert: "Bristol's Most Popular Privately Owned Store, Baileys of Gloucester Road, Phone 41101-2-3.  Established 1870, and stockist of Bristol Pottery then and now with 90 years of business harmony.  Inspect a range of this well known manufacturer's exquisite and exclusive designs in our enlarged modern showrooms."  On the same page was an advert for the "Lilybell" design by Pountney & Company limited.  It would seem that the earliest date for them to have stocked pottery would have been 1878.  I do not know the relationship between the various Baileys.  1977 is the last year for which there is a trade directory, does anyone know when they closed?

1870		Bailey Henry, 44 Mardyke, Hotwell Road.
1872		Bailey Henry, draper etc., 44 Hotwell Road.
1873		Bailey Henry, tailor & outfitter &C., 44 Hotwell Road.
1875	1882	Bailey Henry, tailor & outfitter &C., 78 Hotwell Road.
1878	1880	Bailey George, ironmonger, 7 Beaufort Place, Bishopston.
1882	1886	Bailey George, ironmonger, 111 Gloucester Road.
1887	1891	S and A Willshire, 109 and 111 Gloucester Road.
1888		Bailey George, hardware dealer, 109 and 111 Gloucester Road.
1892	1903	Bailey George, hardware dealer, 109 Gloucester Road.
1904	1909	Bailey George, hardware dealer, 109 and 111 Gloucester Road.
1911	1915	Bailey Sidney, ironmonger, 109 and 111 Gloucester Road.
1917	1927	Baileys Stores, 109, 111 and 113, Gloucester Road, Bishopston.
1928	1938	Baileys 107-113 Gloucester Road.  In 1935 Baileys appeared in the classified section under "China, Glass and Earthenware Dealers", but this seems to be an exception.
1939	1977	Baileys 107-115 Gloucester Road.

F G Bussell

Some of Pountney's artwares from the early 20th century carry a back-stamp for Norman Franks, who was a retailer in London's West End.  There is also a back-stamp for Maple, London.  Others may carry a back-stamp for the Bristol retailer Edgar Dobbs and less common is a back-stamp for the Bristol retailer F G Bussell.  The only examples I have seen for Bussell are all on the Louis Wain designs.  See example.

Edgar Dobbs

Fletcher's

See Sarah Levitt, Pountneys, page 90: "One Bristol creditor had been paid in lorry loads of 'Bristol Garden', and the last remains of this consignment were sold by Fletcher's of Stapleton Road in 1990."  Please note I do not know when they ceased trading, can anyone help?

The dated information above is taken from the Bristol trade directories.