The Rowland & Marsellus Company was an American importer based in New York City that operated from around 1893 to 1937. They imported a variety of English pottery and porcelain, primarily from manufacturers in Staffordshire, England1. Here are some key points about their history:

Key Points

• Importing and Distribution: Rowland & Marsellus imported English pottery and porcelain and sold these items in the United States. They often marked the items with their “R&M” backstamp, sometimes including “Staffordshire, England” to indicate the origin of the pottery2.
• Product Range: They dealt with numerous pottery manufacturers in Stoke-on-Trent and sold the wares to distributors across America. Many of the items they imported were souvenir wares, often featuring American views or scenes2.
• Popular Items: Their products included plates with central designs showing buildings or scenes, and several related scenes in cartouches on the rolled-over edge of the plate. These items were popular as collectibles and gifts2.

Rowland & Marsellus played a significant role in bringing English pottery to the American market during the late 19th and early 20th centuries