John Burgess & Son
John Burgess & Son
On this page we take a look at the pot lids manufactured by John Burgess & Son of London between c1860 and c1930.
These anchovy paste lids are probably the most commonly found in England, yet they contain an unusual number of extremely interesting variants, making it possible to make whole collections from just this one company.
We start with a detailed look at the lids and variants, before concluding with some notes about the company history down below.
Pre 1908
The company probably started manufacturing the familiar pot lids around 1860.
Up to 1908 these lids carried the famous address in The Strand, with the main header text on a straight horizontal orientation and the central crest having a more relaxed and spacious feel.
The extraordinary thing about lids from this period is the enormous number of variants, so much so that finding identical lids can be quite a challenge.
One can only assume that the plates used to create the transfers contained multiple engravings, all of which were slightly different and that these plates were replaced at regular intervals.
The most obvious area to look for variants is in the face of the lion, which not only changes its expression, but morphs into all kinds of weird and wonderful guises.
The question of value therefore depends less on rarity (since they all seem to be equally rare), but on which variants are of most interest to collectors.
Standard
Rarity : Common
Guide price : GBP 20-80
As mentioned above, there is no such thing as a ‘standard’ Burgess lid from this period, there are so many slight variants. This means that although the rarity categorisation is ‘common’, almost all these lids could be viewed as ‘scarce’. Unless your lid fits into one of the variant categories below or demonstrates yet another major but unrecorded difference (let us know), then you can assume this kind of modest value. The higher end of the price range may be achieved when selling to a specialist collector who does not yet have the particular variation.
Human face
Rarity : Scarce
Guide price : GBP 160-180
There appear to be several variants on which the lion’s face takes on a distinctly human appearance, but this lid is more obvious than most. It appears to be a caricature, perhaps of the engraver the owner or maybe a famous patron? Let us know if you recognise him.
Dark face lion
Rarity : Medium
Guide price : GBP 50-70
Although most lion face variations are simply included under the ‘standard’ description, this one is sufficiently different to warrant a separate listing. As you can see, the face is almost completely covered in hair and shading.
Half dark face lion
Rarity : Medium
Guide price : GBP 40-60
Although most lion face variations are simply included under the ‘standard’ description, this one is sufficiently different to warrant a separate listing. As you can see, the face is almost completely covered in hair and shading.
Black line
Rarity : Scarce
Guide price : GBP 120-160
It’s hard to tell quite where this lid fits in chronologically, is it a crude early version (our current best guess) or is it a poor quality later model? The strong black border is very different from the lighter line-and-dot pattern on the vast majority of lids from the Strand Period. Although not particularly attractive, it appears to be a rather scarce variant.
Large double line
Rarity : Medium
Guide price : GBP 40-80
This lid appears to be relatively late, probably 1990 onwards. It is considerably larger and has a border comprised of two strong solid lines. It appears to represent less than 1% of the total of lids from this period, which makes it relatively rare.
Sale listing : June 2021 : £110
By appointment
Rarity : Scarce
Guide price : GBP 180-220
Although we are all familiar with seeing ‘by appointment’ emblazoned across later lids, these early ones are rare. The royal warrant was granted by George V in 1911, three years after the move of manufacturing to Willesden, yet the lid still carries the address for The Strand, where the shop was retained until 1914. So it appears to date only from the 1911-1914 period, which explains its rarity. Note the totally different lion, a transition to the more familiar later designs.
Post 1908
The company moved its manufacturing facilities from The Strand to Hythe Road Willesden in 1907.
All pot lids after this date retained both addresses, even though the shop on The Strand closed in 1914. We reckon that production must have continued at least into the 1920s, so it is strange that the old address was not removed.
The lids from this period show much less variation in their print design. The main difference comes in the gradual deterioration of the print quality and the increasing heaviness of the pot itself, as well as changes in the dome height.
Fine print
Rarity : Common
Guide price : GBP 30-50
The earliest lids from the Willesden Period are much more finely made that those that followed, with elegant fine engraving on a correspondingly light pot. Although not highly valued, these versions are still rather attractive.
Double dot
Rarity : Medium
Guide price : GBP 40-60
This variant primarily differs from the standard type by having an extra full stop on the address, reading “N.W.” instead of the usual “N.W”. It’s a very minor difference, but quite prominent and surprisingly hard to find. One for the Burgess nerds!
Large double line
Rarity : Medium
Guide price : GBP 120-160
This lid appears to be relatively late, probably 1990 onwards. It is considerably larger and has a border comprised of two strong solid lines. It appears to represent less than 1% of the total of lids from this period, which makes it relatively rare.
Sale listing : June 2021 : £110
By appointment
Rarity : Scarce
Guide price : GBP 180-220
Although we are all familiar with seeing ‘by appointment’ emblazoned across later lids, these early ones are rare. The royal warrant was granted by George V in 1911, three years after the move of manufacturing to Willesden, yet the lid still carries the address for The Strand, where the shop was retained until 1914. So it appears to date only from the 1911-1914 period, which explains its rarity. Note the totally different lion, a transition to the more familiar later designs.
A potted history
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