Soup plate, 9.5 inches diameter. Black transfer. Printed maker's mark for J. Dimmock & Co. The "Longfellow" pattern was also produced under the name "Florentine" by this maker. This pattern features a rural marsh scene with a plover wading beneath wild Iris. Two birds fly in the sky above and there is a turreted castle in the distance. A large spray of blooming plants and grasses dominates the left side of the plate.

John Dimmock and Co. of the Albion Works on Stafford Street were large producers of earthenware of superior quality and finish. The old established firm of Thomas Dimmock & Co. held three manufactories: one in Hanley, adjoining the New Market house, formerly James Whitehead’s, afterwards J. and W. Handley’s; another on the upper end of Shelton, formerly of Edmund John Birch, afterwards of Christopher Whitehead; and an enameling and gilding establishment adjoining the King’s Head at Shelton. From c. 1878, this company was under the ownership of W. D. Cliff and his name occurred in most of the marks after this date.