Context (Acquisition Details)
This postcard was donated to the Museum by Christopher Jakes along with three miniature Cambridge Ale Jugs (2025.5 - 2025.7) to join the Wedgwood versions (2017.51 - 2017.52).
13/06/2025
Created by: Imogen Gunn (admin) on 13/06/2025

Context (Physical description)
The original 'Cambridge Ale Jug' was found in 1850 during building works to rebuild and expand 5-6 Trinity Street, Cambridge, the site of Woollard & Hattersley (later Hattersley Brothers), who arranged to have a mould made and sent to Wedgwood. Wedgwood registered the shape and produced the 'Cambridge Ale Jug' in a variety of sizes, which were sold by Woollard & Hattersley in their Cambridge shop, often erroneously describing it as Roman. The original medieval jug ultimately became part of the museum's founding collection (1883.457). Although Wedgwood registered the shape of the jug, and some stage other potteries based in Stoke-on-Trent began making cheaper versions (also called Cambridge Ale Jugs), such as the one featured on this postcard.
13/06/2025
Created by: Imogen Gunn (admin) on 13/06/2025

Description (Physical description)
Postcard of the Cambridge Ale Jug produced by Trent Bridge Publishing Co., Stoke-on-Trent. The image is of a white glazed Cambridge Ale Jug with the Canterbury Crest and the inscription 'Model of Roman Jug found at Cambridge 67' and 'Trent'. The postcard is postmarked 3 August 1909, and was sent by Lizzie Seath in Canterbury to her mother, Mrs Seath, at Ash, near Dover.
13/06/2025
Created by: Imogen Gunn (admin) on 13/06/2025