A POTTER'S SECRET.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13411, 8 May 1912, Page 6

A POTTER'S SECRET.

A romance of industry is connected with tho death of Mr. Walter F. Martin, who, whilo on his way to tho Royal Institute to givo a demonstration of pottery ■ manufacture, was seized with illness, and diocl a few minutes after admittance- to the West London Hospital, Hammersmith.

Ho was one of four brothers who for nearly forty years, wore engaged in the making of "Martinware," the name given to tho salt-glazed stoneware which is sought after by connoisseurs and museum collectors. Tho brothers began as potters at Fulham in 1873, and four 3 rears later, they removed to Southall, whero nearly all tho wonderful work associated with their name has; been created aond fired.

An interesting circumstances of the partnership was tho fact that each brother carried out a definite part of the work. Mr. Walter Martin combined the arts of pottor and chemist, and it was he who discovered tho pigments used in the colouring of the clays.

At present tho surviving brothers, it is stated, do not know whether Mr. Martin has left behind him tho secret of the colouring, or whether it is contained in a cypher message which has been found among his papers. All the colouring of the clay was done by him, and unless tho secret is passed on it is feared that tho future work of the firm will bo considerably handicapped.