How can you tell if it is Real Josiah Wedgwood.

If it is marked & CO. after Wedgwood it is not real Wedgwood

If it is spelled WEDGEWOOD It is not real There should be no E between the G & W

As well as the famous Josiah Wedgwood several other potters used the name Wedgwood (or similar names) on their ware - either because their name was Wedgwood, or because they copied the name and/or ware in order to boost their own sales.

In 1848 Francis Wedgwood (son of Josiah Wedgwood II) who was one of the owners of the Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Etruria works took out an injunction against William Smith & Co to prevent them using the Wedgwood mark.

No true Wedgwood ware used a middle 'E' as 'WEDGEWOOD' or used '& CO.' or an initial 'J'

If the ware has '& CO' in the mark or stamp then it does not belong to Josiah Wedgwood but to Wedgwood & Co. Ltd.

Beware of Ware marked Wedgwood & Co. by Enoch Wedgwood and also ware of the 1790-1801 period by the Knottingley Pottery which also marked Wedgwood & Co.