Mrs Croft's - ointmentpots

Mrs. Croft

This page covers the 'Mrs Crofts' pots from West Handley, near Chesterfield

Little is known about the pots produced from the small rural area of West Handley. Research to date has not able to confirm the origin of these pots as the "Croft's" found were farmers and there seems to be little connection to the production of an ointment in that area.

The pots however appear by the style to be produced around 1870. The earlier produced Mrs Crofts pots show the old style spelling of 'Chesterfield' omitting the letter "r".

There are three price variations known, the SIX PENCE, the 7 1/2 PENCE and the ONE SHILLING. The 7 1/2 PENCE variation can be found but the other two prices are extremely rare. In fact I believe only a broken example of the Sixpence pot is known to exist (pictured below).

A small article appears in BBR magazine no.74 regarding these ointment pots.

I would be very interested to add the SIX PENCE price variation to my collection. If anyone has one and they would be willing to part company with it, please Contact Me.

Mrs Croft's Ointment Price 7½ Pence The earlier variation without the letter 'r' in Chesterfield Scarce
Mrs Croft's Ointment Price 7½ Pence Slightly later variation (with the 'r') Scarce
Mrs Croft's Ointment Price One Shilling Slightly later variation (with the 'r') Scarce
Mrs Croft's Ointment The 7½ pence size A picture showing the spelling variations **Chestefield and Chesterfield**
Mrs Croft's Ointment Price Sixpence		( Not in my collection - therefore WANTED)

Auction Sales

Mrs Croft, Chestefield (without the "r" variation), good condition, sold Ebay February 2011 for £127
Mrs Croft, Chestefield, (without the "r" variation), good condition, sold Ebay December 2012 for £117

Further detailed information can be obtained from the Historical Guide to Delftware and Victorian Ointment Pots

book produced by Messrs. Houghton & Priestley, Pages 64.