In memory of Alan Topham

In early June 2019 we lost another Crown Lynn stalwart.  

Alan Topham, who was Crown Lynn marketing manager for ten years then general manager for another ten, has passed away after several years of failing health.  

Alan Topham as general manager of Crown Lynn in 1978

When I was working on my first book Alan was one of my most prolific and reliable sources. He was deeply knowledgeable and unfailingly helpful in the face of my never-ending questions. Betty made me equally welcome - and provided delicious lunches. 

The first time I went to see Tom Clark, he told me this: ‘The person who is still alive who would be able to give you the most help would be Alan Topham. Alan was right on top of every goddam thing… he’s a walking encyclopaedia, he occupied a lot of important positions in Crown Lynn. He made a big contribution.’ 

And so I found it to be.  

For many decades Crown Lynn made and sold millions of pieces of beautifully designed and technically excellent tableware and other homewares – and Alan Topham made a huge contribution to this very successful enterprise.   

When I read back through my interview transcripts today, I was struck by how much Alan actually knew, and how much time he spent passing on that knowledge to me. He helped me understand the complexity of the ceramics business – from mixing the clay body, to designing, shaping, firing, decorating, warehousing and of course marketing.  For much of his time at Crown Lynn it was Alan’s responsibility to ensure that all the departments were at the top of their game, every day.   

Alan had a vivid turn of phrase, and during our many conversations he was always positive. He never swore and never had a mean word to say about anyone. When he talked about his colleagues at Crown Lynn one of his favourite sayings was ‘you could bottle their blood’ – he loved and respected the loyalty and hard work and energy and innovation that went with Crown Lynn, especially in those early days in the 1960s and 1970s. 

This is what he told me about working at Crown Lynn: 

‘I loved the job, it was so rewarding.  From the viewpoint of taking a raw material and you lived with it right through to the finished product. And when that finished product comes out of the kiln you look at it… and you (feel great pride). And the reward of employing 500, 600, 700 people, who were dependent on your decisions. 

But we worked hard, very hard, I had to be at work every morning at 8 o’clock; I lived on the North Shore, drove frantically over to New Lynn. I wouldn’t get home till 6.30, 7 at night but I loved it. I think it was very hard on Betty and the children.  

Then I started travelling overseas a lot, but Tom had this lovely philosophy - if you were getting three meals a day and a roof over your head just ‘get on with it sonny’ – but he loved to have a bit of fun at the same time. It was hard tough going, hard tough going but you always had an executive dinner during the year and there was always time to have a few beers and a bit of fun, a few laughs with the guys.’ 

Alan joined Crown Lynn as sales manager in 1963.  His family owned the crockery importing business John Raine Ltd, so it was a real break from Topham tradition to move to a New Zealand manufacturer which was in effect in opposition to the family business.  He told me he copped a lot of family flak for his change of direction, but he was resolute in wanting to work at Crown Lynn with Tom Clark, who he liked and admired.

  

From the Crown Lynn magazine October 1965 

Alan immediately began investigating export prospects – at this stage Crown Lynn was growing rapidly and Tom Clark was very keen to expand into the huge consumer base of the United States and Canada.  Before long Alan gained the title of marketing manager.  Then in 1969 he became general manager, replacing Tom Clark who moved to Ceramic House to run Ceramco, Crown Lynn’s umbrella company.  

From the Crown Lynn magazine December 1969

During Alan’s time at Crown Lynn, design was at the forefront, with a focus on New Zealand themes.  The company developed many new techniques and styles of decoration, and the annual Crown Lynn design award achieved prominence.  There were hundreds of entries and the presentation night was a highlight of the Wellington social calendar, with awards often given out by the Prime Minister of the day.  

Alan also oversaw the development and production of the Dorothy Thorpe ball-handled designs, which were a huge innovation at the time and are avidly collected today.  

Another high point was the development of the new brown ‘fish-hook’ design for the tableware at Bellamy’s restaurant at Parliament in Wellington.   

From the Crown Lynn/Ceramco magazine summer 1977

Alan’s marketing expertise was greatly valued. In 1975 he led a government trade mission to the Arabian gulf states, and in the late 1970s he was seconded by the government as an export year adviser.  After that secondment ended, Alan moved to Ceramco as corporate manager for export and public affairs. Colin Leitch succeeded him as Crown Lynn general manager. 

Alan finally left Crown Lynn and Ceramco in 1982, when he came full circle and bought the family business John Raine Ltd.  

I will always treasure the memories of the time I spent with Alan and Betty, and I am grateful for the amount of time and expertise he gave to me and to other researchers as we work to piece together the story of New Zealand’s wonderful Crown Lynn.  

Rest in Peace, Alan. 

And my condolences to his family and to his many friends