Based at the Atlas Works on Sutherland Road, Longton and originally known as the Star China Company,
in 1919 the company changed its name and from 1920 operated as Paragon China.
The partners at this time were Herbert James Aynsley
and his son in law Hugh Irving (1875-1966) who was married to Hilda Aynsley.
Hugh and Hilda started married life at Blythe Bridge and had three children (Edith) Mary b 1910 (Herbert) Leslie b 1911,
and (Aynsley) Guy b 1916. In the 1920s the family moved to Trentham and a house on Barlaston Old Rd.
Leslie, Mary and baby Guy
Hugh Irving
In 1935 Mary Irving married Ralph Hayward and, after his untimely death in 1940 she returned home with her son John to live with her parents.
Later, Mary married ceramic designer Eric Slater and together they had two daughters.
Leslie married Joan Robinson in 1936 and they moved into another house on Barlaston Old Rd in Trentham. They had two children, Barry and Carole.
In later years Leslie lived in Jersey, his first wife died and he married again (also Joan).
Guy married Beryl Simpson in 1949, they lived first in Newcastle moving to Willoughbridge in 1961. They had three children Sally, Michael and Patricia.
Guy loved his golden retrievers and walked them daily.
Leslie Irving
Guy Irving
Paragon China had royal patronage, initially from the Duchess of York in 1926 followed by Queen Mary, the Queen Mother and later HM Queen Elizabeth.
In 1927 Herbert Aynsley retired and sole ownership of Paragon China passed to Hugh Irving.
Both his sons joined the business - Leslie in 1928 and Guy in 1933.
In 1930 it became Paragon China Ltd.
Paragon factory, Sutherland Road, Longton. (Bert Bentley)
Nursery ware produced in 1930s
Nursery ware produced in 1930s
Cup and saucer "Quatrefoil" shape 1932
Teacup with "Pansey" handle 1930s
Two Paragon back stamps showing Royal patronage
Ware produced to mark the Silver Jubilee of King George Vth in 1935
Commemorative mug for the coronation of King George VI in 1937 with the distinctive lion handles
One of the regular Christmas cards HM Queen Mary sent to Paragon
Hugh Irving was an astute businessman, he introduced modern methods of publicity like window displays
and he organised events that were attended by celebrities. Paragon had their own showroom in Hatton Garden in London and, in the 1930s,
were exporting bone china to Australia, New Zealand, South America, Canada and the United States of America.
First Paragon piece fired in an electric kiln 5th November 1938
Paragon figures 1940s
Leslie Irving did some designing and spent much time at trade fairs.
He had a passion for flying, gained his pilot's licence and in WW2 he was a member of Meir Aero Club.
Guy was a driver in WW2 for the Royal Army Service Corps and, captured in 1940 after Dunkirk he spent five years in a POW camp in Poland.
Later Leslie and Guy became joint managing directors of Paragon China.
Tea set trio made 1939-49
"Tapestry Rose" pattern made 1940
Wartime austerity measures were introduced in 1942
and this stopped production of everyday patterned china for the home market having an impact on the ceramics industry that would last long after the war ended.
In 1941 Hugh Irving started the N. Staffs POW Comfort Fund.
After the war ended ex-prisoners of war in N. Staffs presented Hugh Irving with an inscribed silver tray in recognition of all he did for them and he was given an OBE in 1947.
Hugh Irving OBE
"Teapot 1940s "Victoriana Rose
Figure of wire fox terrier
Post WW2, Paragon increased their range to include animal figures, breakfast sets, ashtrays and eggcups.
Eggcup
Hugh Irving continued to run the factory assisted by his sons Leslie and Guy.
Paragon factory is visited by Princess Elizabeth in November 1949
L to R :- Guy, Hugh, Leslie, the Mayor of Stoke on Trent and Princess Elizabeth
Cup and saucer showing the Duke of Edinburgh's yacht. Presented to HRH Princess Elizabeth in 1949
Another lion handled mug this time for the Coronation of Elizabeth II
Photo taken to mark the occasion of Hugh Irving's 80th birthday in 1955. Front row L to R:- Joan Irving next to husband Leslie, Hugh Irving and his wife Hilda, Guy Irving with his wife Beryl. Behind Beryl are John Hayward and his mother Mary née Irving. Standing behind Hugh and Hilda is General Manager Mr Lovatt.
Nursery ware 1950s (family collection)
Paragon China continued to be a family business, under the Irving family control
and even into his eighties Hugh Irving continued to go into his office at Paragon every day.
This all changed in 1960 when the business was acquired by Thomas C Wild & Sons.
Paragon then continued under its own name as part of the group until 1964
and then from 1964-72 as part of Allied English Potteries before becoming part of Royal Doulton.
The company was then managed by the Pearson Group until 1993.
The Paragon trade name was discontinued in 1991 after seventy years.
With thanks to the Irving family for their help in compiling this profile.
