Commodore MacDonnough's Victory Teacup and Saucer

Circa 1820s: In order to promote commerce between England and America after the War of 1812, potters in Britain began to manufacture transferware with American views and patriotic American slogans to export to the United States. On page 18 of Historical Staffordshire: American Patriots and Views, author Jeffrey B. Snyder asserts that the firm Enoch Wood & Sons took this marketing concept to the limit and produced "a scandalous print by English standards of the brilliant defeat of a British naval squadron by Commodore MacDonnough on Lake Champlain in 1814" (Schiffer Publishing Ltd. 1995). MacDonnough's victory was instrumental in repelling the powerful British navy from the Great Lakes and back into Canada, a major blow that helped in keeping England from annexing any US territory when the Treaty of Ghent was signed only months later on Christmas Eve of 1814. This outstanding handleless teacup and saucer set has survived two centuries in remarkably as made condition with only typical minor factory firing anomalies and no chips, cracks, or repairs. This handsome dark blue historical Staffordshire American scene cup and saucer would be difficult to find in finer condition and will be a welcome addition to any collection of early ceramics or political and patriotic americana.