China Backstamps - Information and Pictures - Portmeirion

Portmeirion is an English company not as aged as many of the rest, having been founded in 1960 in Stoke-on-Trent, but even with its smaller number of years, it has so far met success.


The original backstamp began circulation in 1972. Under the laurel, the left ribbon states "Copywright Design" and the right ribbon says "Made in England." Later designs of this stamp during the same decade feature the designer's name on the left ribbon, Susan Williams Ellis.


Ten years later, beginning in 1982, this backstamp was used indicating the pieces as dishwasher, freezer, and microwave safe. This stamp, smaller than the previous one, also features very small numbers 8 and 2, circled in the above picture, under the brand name. This was used to help date the pieces during the decade and on until 1999.


This stamp was also seen during the 1980s, declaring the pieces to be fully vitrified, which refers to the process of turning a substance into glass.


The most recent Portmeirion backstamp is simple in design, featuring a clean oval with the brand's name and easy to read details below it. This pattern has been in use starting in 2000, so perhaps we will see another Portmeirion stamp soon.