A BRIEF HISTORY
Looks like Wedgwood you say?
George Emery Sr. was born in Newcastle-under-Lyme, in Staffordshire, England. At the age of 12, he began a 14 year apprenticeship at the Wedgwood Pottery Company in England. Although it is uncertain why Mr. Emery immigrated to Canada, it is thought that his chances of advancement within the Wedgwood company were limited and therefore a relocation might be in his best interest.
Mr. Emery arrived in Canada in 1912 and began work with Campbell & Son, Potters, in Hamilton, Ontario. Shortly thereafter, he joined the Canadian Porcelain Company Limited, also in Hamilton. This company produced insulators and fixtures to use with electricity. With Mr. Emery's expertise in mold-making and designing, he was highly prized within this company and later became Assistant Superintendent.Initially, George Emery first made his pottery in the basement of his home and, until 1944, were fired in the kilns of the Canadian Porcelain Company. These items were impressed: "CANADIAN/PORCELAIN CO.LTD./HAMILTON,ONT". By 1944 the Ecanada Art Pottery factory was finally established.
Around 1935, George Emery opened his own pottery company called the Dundas Clay Products, in Dundas, Ontario, (on the outskirts of Hamilton). This operation lasted only a brief time and was sold to the newly formed McMaster Pottery Company, in Dundas, Ontario, in 1939.
Experiencing difficult economic times in 1949, George Emery's son, George Jr., who was now running the company, moved the operations to a nearby barn where he fired the pottery using propane. The company ceased operation in 1952.
A more detailed history can be found in two published articles by:
C. Peter Kaellgren, in the August, 1989, issue of "Antique Showcase".
Jack Cooper, in the July/August, 2003, issue of "The Upper Canadian", Volume 23, No. 24.