The sequence of Preston Guild being held every twenty years had remained unbroken for centuries but the council agreed to postpone the 1942 Guild until 1952 due to the Second World War.
The war eventually ended in 1945, but even by 1952 the economy was still coping with the after effects of the war.
Rationing was still in place for some foods, there was a shortage of cars and materials used for street parties and bunting was in short supply.
There are also very few commemorative pieces available from the 1952 Guild. Ceramic pieces are especially in very short supply.
The cream coloured mug (left) is a fairly rare piece and we know of no other ceramics from 1952.
Apart from two hand made beakers from Frederick Cook of Ambleside which are displayed in the Harris Museum, this is the only 1952 ceramic piece that we know of.
At least, it was until May 2005 when we had an email via this website from someone telling us they too had one!
It has a gold rim and the Preston coat of arms outlined in gold on the front.
It was manufactured by Staffs Teaset Co. Ltd Plex. St. Pottery, Tunstall. Made in England on the base.

The biscuit tin (right) has a picture of a 17th Century Guild on the lid.
On the base are the words "Produced by Thomas Parkinson Ltd Preston on the occasion of the Preston Guild Merchant 1952."
On the narrow sides of the base the Preston coat of arms is depicted. On the side of the tin is a long inscription.
(To read the inscription click on the picture of the biscuit box)
The biscuit tin seems to have been a relatively common commemorative piece from 1952, although it must have cost a few ration books at the time!

The glassware (left) all have the Preston coat of arms "Preston Guild 1952" on the front.
The small glass, jam pot and one tumbler are gold rimmed.
The other two tumblers have the inscription "T.L. Robinson Ltd. Established 1838. Famous during six reigns" on the back of the glass.

The Guild Mayor and Mayoress in 1952 were Mr John Ward and Mrs Maggie Ward.
It is perhaps a sign of the more austere times that their images do not appear on the commemorative pieces from 1952.
However, they do appear on the Guild medal (below left).

The picture of the glass plate (right) was kindly sent to me by someone who found this website looking for some history of the piece she had inherited. This is the only one of these dishes that we have come across.

John Ward was a dental surgeon and farmer, and had been a previous mayor of Preston.
Maggie Ward had been a teacher and social worker, and they were a popular choice to hold the office.
On the reverse of the medal is the Preston coat of arms and the inscription "Borough of Preston Guild Merchant 1952."
The rather strange colouring to their hair is not on the medal - an interesting by product of my scanning process!

The simple badge (above right) shows the Preston coat of arms in dark blue.
The words "Preston Guild" are in the red band, and the year "1952" in the blue band below.

The teapot (left) is not a Preston Guild item.
In 1922 at the end of the Guild Court the Guild was adjourned as usual and the date of the next Guild was announced which was to be 1942.
As we know the 1942 Guild was not held because of the war.
However, Preston alongside the rest of Britain was taking its part in the war effort, and the teapot is an example of this.
On one side are the words "Liberty and Freedom" surrounded by many of the allied flags, with those of France and Britain most prominent.
On the other side of the teapot are the words:
"WAR AGAINST HITLERISM. This souvenir teapot was made for DYSON & HORSFALL of Preston to replace ALUMINIUM stocks taken over for ALLIED ARMAMENTS, 1939".
                                                               The teapot was manufactured by Ducal Ware.

The pictures below were kindly sent to us by another Preston Guild collector for inclusion on this site.
The bottleopener, brassbell and shoehorn all have a distinctive style.
The cruet is reminiscent of the world war two teapot with its round body.
The glass biscuit jar is greatly prized by the collector and we have never seen one the same or similar.

For pictures of 1952 Preston Guild processions click here