BIOGRAPHIES

 

Alfred Henry Folker was born on 16 March 1855 at 41 Warstone Lane Birmingham, the eldest of a family of five children.

Alfred started his career in the pottery industry in 1870 at Albion Pottery in Hanley working for John Dimmock & Co with whom he remained for four years.

He then went into the retail side of the business by joining James Green & Nephew at Upper Thames Street, London. However, due to a severe illness Alfred was obliged to give up this post.

In October 1874 he was recommended for an appointment with John Mortlock & Co of Oxford Street but he later resigned to join Thos. Goode & Co of South Audley Street.

In 1877, he was appointed London agent for the firms of E.J.D.Bodley who produced china and E.F.Bodley & Son who produced earthenware. Both were located at Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent and he travelled throughout the country for them.

Alfred married Hannah Maria Keevil Mann at the parish church of St.Mark, Regents Park in Middlesex on 15 June 1880. The marriage certificate shows his residence as being in Wolstanton, Stafford but he had probably been living in lodgings in London. Once married, they lived at 106 St.Georges Avenue, Islington.

In 1886, during his period with the Bodley companies, Alfred's business took him on an eight month tour of Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania and America carrying a full line of the Bodley products. He also carried at that time glass globes, shades and fashionable tall trumpet vases for Mr.C Kemp of Vauxhall.

It is said that Alfred named his last child Sydney after his visit to that city during his tour of Australia.

In 1891, Alfred opened a showroom at 91, Hatton Garden where he remained until 1894. By arrangement, he stocked china products of T.Pointon & Co of Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent, earthenware manufactured by E.F.Bodley & Son of Burslem and glass made by J.Ford & Co of Holyrood, Edinburgh.

In May 1894 he was appointed London representative for the Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Co Ltd and installed in their showroom at 42 Holborn Viaduct. He held this appointment for 33 years up to November 1927 at which time he retired.

The family then moved to a larger house at 12 Park Road, Harlesden.

Through his position, Alfred had sold to most of the crown heads in Europe. He was also patronised by Indian Maharajas who brought dinner services in large quantities. They brought their own gold leaf to be put onto the china. They also bought also huge china bowls, two of which Alfred had in the window of his showroom according to his grand-daughter, Dora.

In 1906, Alfred made another tour of the United States, but this time on behalf of The Royal Crown Derby Co Ltd.

In the latter days of his work, he moved his showroom a short distance to Ely Place, near Holborn Circus. Also in the latter years, Alfred represented Crown Derby in northern journeys which included Scotland and Ireland

At his retirement, his showroom was taken over by his son Sydney who continued with the business. Sydney had been working with his father for some time and had undertaken the northern journeys on his behalf in later years.

An item which was published in The Pottery Gazette and Glass Trades Review in December 1927 regarding Alfred's retirement. Having read the article himself, Alfred wrote a letter of appreciation to E.R.Edis.

Until his retirement, Alfred was an active member of the Pottery and Glass Trades Benevolent Institution. He was vice president in 1894 and by 1897 he was a member of the board.

The Institution was founded on 4 August 1881 as the result of a decision made at a dinner of the Fragile Club.

Following his retirement in 1927, Alfred was honoured with a testimonial at the anniversary dinner of the Pottery and Glass Trades Benevolent Institution on 22 February 1928 and a copy of the testimonial was sent to him afterwards by E.R.Edis on the following day.

Alfred passed away at his home at Sutton, Surrey on 14 February 1939.