From humble beginnings as a potteries apprentice Arnold Machin rose to become an acclaimed sculptor creating the iconic bas-relief portrait of Her Majesty the Queen used on all Royal Mail definitive issue stamps.
Patricia Machin was born in 1921 and studied painting at Goldsmith's where her tutor was Leonard Applebee. Finding inspiration from the Old Masters and still-life, she was an established painter, illustrator, designer and author.
Architect, sculptor, businessman and painter, Francis Machin was a talented designer responsible for a range of conservatories and garden buildings still seen throughout the United Kingdom, United States and Europe.
From humble beginnings as a potteries apprentice Arnold Machin rose to become an acclaimed sculptor creating the bas-relief portrait of Her Majesty the Queen used on Royal Mail stamps.
Arnold Machin was born on 30th September 1911 at Oak Hill in Stoke on Trent into a family of 12. Soon after his birth, the family moved to a terrace house in the village of Trent Vale on the edge of the Potteries, the collective name given to the six pottery manufacturing towns situated in North Staffordshire.
After leaving school he became an apprentice at Mintons and while working there studied at the local school of art. His talent was soon recognised and he eventually managed to find a place on a Ministry of Education course at Derby School of Art. His studies occurred during the Great Depression and unemployment was a regular feature of his life. Despite great hardships through the support of friends he managed to complete his studies in two years. A scholarship to the Royal College of Art followed culminating on the award of the Silver Medal.