SWANSEA PLATE, CA 1814-1824 FROM SERVICE OF SAMUEL ROGERS ESQ., (the poet)

Provenance Samuel Rogers, London;
His deceased sale, London, Christie's, 28 April – 20 May 1856
from a local collection



Samuel Rogers was born in 1763, the son of a London banker. He entered the family business when still young, but not long after his father's death in 1793 he retired with a comfortable income and devoted himself to literary and artistic pursuits.In 1803 Rogers moved to 22 St James’s Place. His poetry enjoyed a popularity during his lifetime which has since been eclipsed by the works of the literary giants with whom he associated; he is chiefly remembered now for his breakfast parties and as the butt of Byron's satire. To Rogers's breakfasts were invited many of the wits and chief literary figures of the day,including Byron, Lamb, Wordsworth, Scott, Shelley, Coleridge among others,
Rogers lived in the house for over fifty years and died there in December 1855.His collection, which consisted of ancient and modern pictures, drawings, engravings, coins, objets d'art and photographs (including one of his house), his library, plate and furniture were sold in 1856 by Messrs. Christie and Manson. The sale lasted for twenty-two days and realized over £45,000. This plate was purchased with others at this important sale.

Old collectors label, also marked "SWANSEA' in red and pattern #257