Plate, 10.25 inches diameter. Blue transfer. Printed maker's mark for Benjamin & Sampson Hancock. The registry diamond dates the pattern registration to 6 January 1881. This pattern has a complex border of three bands. There are five cartouches. The most prominent containing crosshatching behind two joyfully singing birds sitting on a branch. The four others have geometric, star, and fan-like patterns. In the background is an arch and a small building, with more buildings in back of it. Two kinds of branches with blossoms weave behind these scenes.

The business was started by Sampson Hancock, a prominent Wesleyan Methodist, at Victoria Street, Tunstall in 1857/58. In 1876 he moved to the Bridge Works, Church Street, Stoke and was joined by Benjamin Hancock. The partnership was dissolved in December 1881 when Benjamin retired from the business. Sampson continued on his own account. In 1892 Sampson Hancock moved to the Gordon Works in Wolfe Street, Stoke and became Sampson Hancock & Sons.