Encyclopedia of Marks on American, English, and European Earthenware, Ironstone, Stoneware (1780-1980): Makers, Marks, and Patterns in Blue and White, ... Ironstone (A Schiffer Book for Collectors)
The title of this book pretty much sums up its contents. It features listings of a variety of marks associated with each pottery firm, the location of the firms, and their history and dates of operation. The same "Marks Numbering System" devised by Geoffrey A. Godden, the reigning expert on British pottery, is continued for each entry in this book (the book is, in fact, dedicated to Godden and includes an introduction by him as well). In addition, there are numerous appendixes that list, for example, patterns of each firm in alphabetical order, major importers, merchants, and auctioneers specializing in earthenwares in the United States and Canada; a glossary of pottery terms and separate indexes for English, continental, and American potters. Although the book's coverage of "European" potters' marks (as opposed to English potters and their marks) is limited to just 22 pages--slightly more than 20 different potters--this is nonetheless a valuable reference tool and would be a useful addition to most public libraries and all specialized art libraries.-Margarete Gross, Chicago P.L.Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.