The Clay Industries, Including the Fictile & Ceramic Arts on the Banks of the Severn with notices of the early use of Shropshire clays, the history of pottery, porcelain, &c. in the district

"The Clay Industries, Including the Fictile & Ceramic Arts on the Banks of the Severn" by John Randall is a historical examination of the clay, pottery, and ceramics trades that flourished in the Shropshire region near the River Severn. It traces the origins and importance of using local clays and how the pottery and porcelain businesses developed there. The book journeys through the Severn Valley's clay industries, noting the local clay types and characteristics, uses, and rise of major pottery companies, such as Caughley, Jackfield, Coalport, and Madeley. Randall examines the historical relevance of these industries from the Roman era through the Victorian period, emphasizing advances in ceramics, glazing methods, and creative design. The book illustrates the progression of ceramic arts, changes in manufacturing techniques, and how these industries impacted the local community's socio-economic well-being by using extensive accounts of various enterprises and their noteworthy achievements.