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IRONSTONE NOTES VOLUME 3 No. 2 FALL 1996

By Bev & Ernie Dieringer three sons, probably Joseph, The famous architect Mies van was the master of the der Rohe said, “God is in the superb body shapes that won a details.” God must have been in prize at the Crystal Palace rare form in the guise of the Exhibition in 1851. master carver who designed the Jewett said in his 1883 book handles and finials for the The of Great Mayer Brothers’ Classic Gothic Britain, “Joseph died prema- registered in 1847. On page 44 turely through excessive study in Wetherbee’s collector’s guide, and application of his art. He there is an overview of the and his brothers introduced Mayer’s Gothic. However, we many improvements in the man- are going to indulge ourselves ufacture of , including a and perhaps explain in words of highly vitreous and pictures, why we lovingly quality. This stoneware was collect this shape. capable of whithstanding varia- On this page, photos show tions of temperature which details of handles on the under- occurred in the brewing of tea.” trays of three T. J. & J. Mayer For this profile we couldn’t soup tureens. Top: Classic find enough of any one T. J. & J. Octagon. Middle: Mayer’s Mayer body shape, so we chose Long Octagon. Bottom: Prize a group of four shapes, includ- Bloom. ing the two beautiful octagon Elijah Mayer, patriarch of a dinner set shapes, the Classic famous family of master potters, Gothic tea and bath sets and worked in the last quarter of the Prize Bloom. The dinner set eighteenth century at the same shapes, Classic Octagon and time as the Davenport family Long Octagon, are both clearly and was similarly influenced by dated with the same diamond the great Josiah , who registry, July 27, 1847. Three made the best before “parcels” were registered by the the 1800’s. Elijah had three Mayer’s on that date. At first we sons, Thomas, John and Joseph. thought because they had the Joseph, the oldest son, worked same registry date, that they with his father at Cobden were the same pattern, in the Works, Hanley. The other sons same manner that T. & R. Boote started their own , and made a round, and octagonal eventually, after Elijah’s death, and an oval version of all three sons merged in 1837, Sydenham. But the shapes of creating the T. J. & J. Mayer these two dinner sets are sepa- pottery at Dale Hall, Longport, rate to the eye. We are indebted with which we are here con- to Howard Noble who has col- cerned. They potted white lected some of the Long wares until 1855 when the firm Octagon pieces and told us that changed to Mayer & Elliot. We they have the same mark as our like to speculate that one of the (Continued on page 4)

T. J. & J. MAYER’S CLASSIC OCTAGON * CLASSIC GOTHIC * LONG OCTAGON & PRIZE BLOOM. FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK LETTERS TO THE EDITOR WICA BOARD OF DIRECTORS You may notice a small difference in the CAN YOU HELP? Tom Moreland, President quality of some of the photographs in this I am looking for listings of American Jim Kerr, Vice President issue. Because we don’t have our own dark- Importers and the respective potters for whom Olga Moreland, Secretary room, we were getting very frustrated by the they imported. Would collectors of Flow Jack Allers, Treasurer time it took to have the black and white film Blue, Blue & White Transferware, Mulberry, Beverly Dieringer developed and a contact sheet printed. Then, White Ironstone and Tea Leaf please look at it took more time and money to have a few the back stamps on the pieces in their collec- Patty Spahr Hitt selected shots enlarged and printed. So we tions and supply me with any importers and Fran Kinne went back to color film and printing. Not only the potters whom they represented here in the Tom Lautenschlager has it turned out to be more economical, but U.S.? Of course, a photograph of the listing, Dorothy Noble faster (one hour) and when we convert the as noted on the back of the piece, would Howard Noble photos to black and white on the computer, we always be most helpful. (Sometimes a mark Jill O'Hara are seeing a better range of grays. This allows can be copied on a copy machine set at a Ed Rigoulot us to get better prints off our laser printer lighter copy because at the regular setting the Honorary Lifetime Member which makes it easier for you to see what we white plate comes out nearly black. The lid Jean Wetherbee are talking about. A light blue cloth gives us does not need to be all the way down for the plenty of contrast to show off the white pieces. machine to work. Ed.) We found that when we used the black back- The information that I need is: The WHITE IRONSTONE ASSOCI- ground shooting color film, the automatic Name of Pattern ATION, INC. is a not for profit corporation. developing and printing machine could not Potters’ Mark WHITE IRONSTONE NOTES is the official adjust for the contrast of stark black and white Exact wording of the Importer’s newsletter of the corporation and no article, ironstone and therefore “blew out” all the mark photograph or may be reproduced details. We hope all this will encourage you to Can you please send this information to: without express permission of WICA, Inc. take shots of your ironstone for us to use in Arnold A. Kowalsky ______future issues. 908 North Broadway WHITE IRONSTONE NOTES is published About this issue’s profile: We were first Yonkers, NY 10701 and edited by Ernie and Bev Dieringer four attracted to Mayer’s Octagon when we saw a Phone: (914) 423 8899 times a membership year. and pho- photo of Jean Wetherbee on the Author’s page ************************************* tos are by Bev and Ernie Dieringer unless oth- of her A Look at White Ironstone. Sitting on a We, here in South Texas, only get to see a lot erwise noted. Please send all news notes, arti- shelf behind her, was a Mayer sauce tureen. of items in your pages, as not that much white cles, suggestions, questions and listings for We were instantly smitten. ironstone immigrated to our part of the world. advertising or the spare parts column to: When we found our first two pieces of Most of it is brought here by dealers who trav- WICA, Box 536, Redding Ridge, CT 06876. Mayer’s Classic Octagon, we were told by el to the north-east on their buying trips. We Fax # 203 938 8378. several respected dealers not to even think of feel very lucky to have accumulated our seven e-mail [email protected] collecting it. There wasn’t any more to be to eight hundred pieces over the last five Three ring notebook cover to save your issues found. We believed them and started to col- years, adding to the small collection before of WHITE IRONSTONE NOTES is available lect other shapes. But as the years have gone that time. Thanks again for your lovely pic- at $89 plus $1.50 shipping. Total of $9.50. by, the intriguing, detailed back-stamp full of tures -- they inspire us to look for rare pieces Back issues of the newsletter are $5. each. symbols kept showing up on these beautiful we never knew existed. Volume 1 #1, 2 & 3, Volume 2, #1, 2, 3 & 4. pieces. The process of collecting anything John & Anne Bedford, Houston, TX Make checks payable to WICA and send to the from pottery to , often starts with the ************************************* above address. realization that you have two... Suddenly you I want to say thanks for the helpful hint ______find yourself noticing similar things as you found in the article on cleaning in Vol. 2 # 3. ADVERTISING RATES travel and look at shops and shows. Lemon Fantastic did the job on a Square Rose Advertisements will be accepted in order of Sometimes, well-meaning friends sigh with butter dish which was a greasy brown. receipt from WICA members and allow- when they need to find a gift for those of Sprayed it, left it on for a few hours, then put ing from non members. Rates (subject to us who “have everything” and shop for things it through the dishwasher. Fantastic! change): $20 per column inch (7 lines). Non- to add to our “collections.” Sometimes you I’d like to share a helpful tim. The gummy members, $40 per column inch. Members can have to smile politely and put the gift way in residue left from price stickers can be easily list a single piece for sale free in the Spare the back, (sometimes way, way in the back.) removed with Avon’s Skin So Soft moisturiz- Parts column each issue, space allowing. And then sometimes, they hit the jackpot er or oil. Payment in full by check made out to WICA without knowing it. We have had both experi- Fran Kinne, Tenafly, NJ must accompany each ad. Send to Newsletter ences and we can look back at having done the ************************************* address. Publishing deadlines are, Dec. 1 for same thing, in innocent ignorance, to our good Jack Anspaugh tells us that lighter fluid also Winter, March 1 for Spring, June 1 for friends. But in either case, the thoughts and works very well on gummy label residue. Summer, Sept 1 for Fall. deeds have been treasured. However, we Fantastic and the dishwasher are the first ______digress. thing to try on any dirty ironstone and many The point of this is: don’t give up on col- times it does wonders, but some stains will APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP lecting a particular shape because of its scarci- need other treatments. Send $25. for individual or $30. for two indi- ty. Especially now that we have our ************************************* viduals at the same address with check made Associations and its potential network of Here’s more from House Beautiful maga- payable to WICA, to: Jim Kerr / Cavern View information and sources. zine. (August 1996) Is someone on the staff a Antiques, RD#1-Box 23, Howes Cave, NY member of our club? 12092. Please send all ADDRESS Note the three sections I have tabbed. Pages CHANGES to the same address. 28 and 29. I suspect those plates hanging on 2 the wall are white ironstone. Page 70. That cupboard is loaded with iron- INTER-CLUB NEWS NEXT ISSUES: stone. I would guess the on the table is Winter 1996: A protfolio of ewers, A pro- modern. file on Red-Cliff. An index of the newslet- Page 85. I do hope the two cake stands are ters to date. white ironstone. What about that wonderful pedestalled big platter in the middle that Spring 1997: A profile on Lily of the seems to be holding a cheese? I could give Valley and Hyacinth. that a happy home. Harry Lowe, Culpeper, VA Summer 1997: Children’s tea sets and ************************************* other miniature individual pieces, Harry is right about the dishes on the wall, Convention coverage. at least the half-round fish bone dishes. I’m not sure about those scallop shell dishes. The Dale Abrams organized a meeting Fall 1997: How about some suggestions on cake stands are indeed ironstone as we have of three china collector clubs at the Tea Leaf what you would like to see us cover? seen others in those shapes. But I can’t Convention in Columbus, Indiana in July. believe Harry missed the beautiful piece on Dale Abrams (Tea Leaf Club International), WANTED: ATLANTIC SHAPE page 67. The most gorgeous master waste jar Ernie Dieringer (WICA) and Eric Oesterle with a a bouquet of hydrangea blooms. It is a (Flow Blue International Collectors Club) By T. & R. Boote: large mugs, pitch- Bennington piece manufactured somewhere were asked to be inter-club liaisons. ers, ewers, covered tureens, vegetables between 1850 and 1858. I could make a The first and most important and stew pots, cups and saucers. No happy home for that! Unfortunately, we don’t request was that we have a common calen- plates or platters. Perfect condition. have permission to print a photo from the dar of regionals and national conventions Nancy Rajala magazine and by the time you read about it printed in our respective newsletters so that 614 South Grand Traverse here, the August issue will be off the news the three clubs can avoid overlapping dates. Flint, MI 48502 stands. If you own, or your library has the This should also help the regional organiz- book Bennington Pottery and by ers in choosing dates for their events. Richard Carter Barret, you can see the piece One concern was for a common CALENDAR in question on page 122, plate 173. The one glossary of terms to be worked out with the in the magazine has no gold or other embell- help of the education committees of each ishment. club. Terms could be listed in order of com- Septenber 21, 1996, Region 7 is also ************************************* mon usage. For example, undertray or base inviting Region 6 to a meeting in plate, (American usage) or stand (English) Bethesda, MD. Call Sandy Jenkins & preferred) or cracker tray or liner are all Mary Bell for details. (301) 530 7421 used to describe the same ironstone object. WICA 1997 Combining resources to send CONVENTION someone to to photocopy all the November 2, 1996, Region 5 meeting, registry ledgers at Kew was discussed. The Colyville, TX. Call Ted Brockey & Ed MAY 2-4 Flow Blue Club has already designated a Rigoulot for details. (817) 354 4644 CANANDAIGUA, NY fund for this purpose. They seem very hopeful that this be done soon. Since the May 2 - 4 1997, WICA’s National ledgers contain all registered from Convention, Canandaigua, NY. Plans are underway for WICA’s 3rd 1842 to 1883, the entire books must be annual convention. Members will copied. Some researchers have already If you are unsure which region you are gather in Canandaigua, NY at the Inn copied only those ceramics in which they on the Lake, which is conveniently were interested, leaving out the main body in, check Vol 3 # 1, page 11. WICA located 30 miles southeast of of information that is available. One members can attend any Regional but Rochester in the Finger Lake Region researchers only copied information about please call in advance to reserve a of New York State. The area is well tea pots, ignoring everything else. place. known for its abundance of , However, this did result in finding the real registered shape names of several popular antique shops and wineries. Janet ironstone patterns. These ledgers are deteri- Allers and Jill O’Hara are serving as orating and access to them is limited which co-chairs for the convention with is why it is important to have them copied WHITE IRONSTONE: many other members working closely for posterity. A COLLECTOR’S with them to plan the various activi- Dale Abrams made the most excit- ties for the weekend. ing proposal of all. Perhaps for the year two GUIDE More details on all aspects of the thousand, a mega convention of all three BY JEAN WETHERBEE clubs. The theme could be the commonali- weekend and registration information Hard bound copies are available from will be included in the winter issue of ty of the ironstone body in plain white, flow blue and tea leaf and lustre decorated. Many WICA for $25.95 plus $3 shipping. the newsletter. Please mark your cal- collectors who belong to two and sometimes Send check made out to WICA, to: endars now and plan to attend all three clubs might find this suggestion Fran Kinne WICA’s 1997 convention. either overwhelming or sheer heaven. 110 Hillside Ave. Tenafly, NJ 07670 3 T. J. & J. MAYER OCTAGON SHAPES

(Continued from page 1) classic pieces. Both sets were sold decorated in flow blue transfer patterns named “Rhone Scenery, Oregon and Arabesque.” There are no photos of any Mayer Long Octagon in Wetherbee’s books, only a drawing of a tea pot. As we are finding more pieces of undecorated white with the Mayer mark, we realize that they made many versions of the Octagon Shape pattern. Many examples of these shapes are found in a book called TEAPOT BODY STYLES published by the Flow Blue International Collectors Club, however we have not yet seen a teapot in the Classic Octagon Shape.

Above: Mayer’s Classic Octagon. Below: Mayer’s Long Octagon. Two views of the finials seen on the Classic Octagon tureens above left composed of 4 acanthus leaves and scrolled ends.

At the right: finial found on the Classic Gothic teapots and sugar bowls.

Right: cushion shaped finial found on the Long Octagon shape on left.

The above handle is on the Mayer’s Classic Shape tureen handle. on the far designed all the handles, lugs and finials with Octagon tureen and the covered vegetable right we have only seen on Mayer’s Classic variations of the spiral and acanthus leaves tureens. Center photo: the Long Octagon Gothic sugar bowl. The Mayers boldly borrowed from classical architectural details. 4 Mayer’s Octagon, two sizes of vegetable tureens. The silhouette of the body clearly relates to the Classic Octagon tureen on the facing page.

Above: detail of leaf on the relish dish. Top: four relish dishes. Note the graceful wrapping of the leaf which forms a very comfortable handle for serving.

The compote and vegetable tureen above, belong to the Long Octagon set but are curious- ly square with curved, cut-off corners. (Noble collection)

Below: top and bottom of the only ladle we have seen in this pattern. The leaf and scroll decoration compliments the handle of the tureen when they are in position. Right: The top gravy boat comes with the Classic Octagon Shape, the bottom one is Long Octagon. (Moreland collection)

Three early marks. The one on the left is the ear- liest, 1845, and is found on pieces that generally are of a lighter weight. The other two marks are on all other pieces, some of which also have the 1847 diamond mark. The only difference of note is the slight variations of the positions of the rose and thistle and the drawing of the foliage. The leopard is constant on all three marks. No shape name was registered. These marks are found printed in black and in green. The impressed let- 5 ters, NS, stand for New Stone. Other T. J. & J. Mayer Shapes Everything but the cups and plate on this page are clearly marked with the printed garter, roses, thistles and oak leaves. None have a diamond registry mark with a date. The Classic Gothic pitchers, partial bath set and tea set obviously are not a part of the two Octagon dinner sets shown on previous pages. We have seen a flow blue teapot in the Long Octagon Shape. The body was similar but had a different finial.

Above: the twenty-inch well and tree platter is in the Moreland collection. Above right: six graduated Classic Octagon ewers and pitchers. Below right: ewer and basin and a mug all clearly marked T. J. & J. Mayer. Right: tea set with a sugar bowl that we suspect belongs to a larger size set. Below: the plate, cup and saucer and mini cup are much thinner in weight and are marked with the early sunburst printed Mayer mark. The baker is very large, eleven inches.

This twelve-sided short compote has an unusu- al columular base. It is very likely that it came in other sizes or heights. This one is 8 1/2” wide by 3” high. 6 T. J. & J. MAYER’S PRIZE BLOOM

Prize Bloom Shape got its name from the mark shown below. It reads Prize Medal 1851 (P) and between the lion and unicorn shows a diamond registry of the same date. A prize awarded to the Mayers at the Crystal Palace Exhibition in London, 1851, was for Prize Puritan Shape. Two years later, a new shape called Prize Bloom was registered, and obvi- ously the Mayers capitalized on this award by using the printed prize medal mark on later . It is also found on Prize Nodding Bud and some Classic Gothic pieces. All known impressed registry marks on Prize Bloom are 1853 (Y) and are frequently found next to the Prize Medal printed mark of 1851. This has caused considerable confusion because all of the shapes appear to be regis- tered in 1851 and prize medal winners. The Mayers created very imposing tureens by designing a high plateau undertray, which ele- vated the entire piece. This is also apparent on the Classic Octagon tureen on pate 4. The sauce tureen above is in the Noble collection and the soup tureen, Dieringer’s. (See Parts Wanted P. 12.)

Prize Bloom Shape, registered in 1853, is hexagonal. Most six-sided shapes predate the 1850’s. It is famous for its flower finial which also accents the tops of all handles. Above: the gravy boat is from the Noble col- lection. Above middle: the blossom detail is from a vegetable lid. Above right: Prize medal mark found on all Prize Bloom pieces. Right: this bath set has been assembled by Jack and Janet Allers. It is almost complete. The potty lid needs a base and the master waste jar needs a lid and we have not seen a shaving mug to date. (See Parts Wanted page 12.) The soap dish and horizontal covered tooth brush box are particularly wonderful. The tooth brush box has a very narrow 7 “waist.” The drawing above is of a covered beverage server shown on p. 64 in Weatherbee’s new book

Above: table pieces in the Allers collection include two pitchers, a handleless cup, a covered vegetable tureen and a covered butter dish in the foreground, which has a six-sided liner. Right: a three-piece tea set is all that could be found at this date. Has anyone seen a saucer or a waste bowl? We also haven’t found plates and platters in this pattern. We assume the ladle has a flower on it.

Above: a lovely compote which resides at the home of Dorothy and Howard Noble. Right: details of the large soup tureen’s handle and base plate. 8 NEW AND UNUSUAL MARKS We are introducing a new feature in the Newsletter. As we receive mate- rial from members, we will add it here. There is an education committee being formed that will help in this research. Jane Washburn sent these six marks, using a copy machine to take them right off the bottom of the pieces. (This works for both printed and impressed marks using a lighter setting on the machine. A tracing or a draw- ing is also useful.) She collected these marks because she had never seen them before or because they were interesting or beautiful designs. Jane found this mark on a & Hawthorn, large, plain platter and bought Abbey Pottery, , it only for the mark. There are , no marks shown in our refer- 1882 - 87 (Godden p. ence books for this pottery. 687)

Jane asks if W. Taylor was an Jane found this mark on a plain importer. We found a William soup bowl. In the same reference Howson Taylor, Smethwick, near as the mark at the left we found a An American mark from Another American mark (Ruskin Pottery) in busi- Thomas Gater & Co. working at Morley & Co., Wellsville, from East Liverpool, Ohio. ness from 1898 - 1935. So we can Staffordshire Potteries prior to Ohio 1879 - 85 taken from a Wallace & Chetwynd 1882 assume he was the potter. (See 1895. We were not able to find a syrup pitcher. (A mark not - 1903. Found on a plain Godden’s Encyclopaedia of British reference for Maddock and Gater shown in Julie Riche’s conven- creamer. Another new Pottery and Porcelain Marks pps. together. tion handout. mark. 556 and 612.)

This is a cautionary tale and a lesson in safely packing china for ship- ping. Many of you will recognize the shards in the photo as a “disassembled” Sydenham soup tureen. Imagine our shock and dis- may as we unpacked it. To make a long story short, several years ago a woman borrowed a tureen from a friend to use at a party. During that party the lid was broken, and nearly damaged the friendship. We had in stock a two-piece Sydenham tureen and she bought it just to replace her friend’s lid, thinking it worth the price to save the friendship. After two years, she head. The shipper wanted fifteen dollars and heard other shipping horror stories that called and offered the remaining two pieces, a she could buy plastic peanuts and bubble shouldn’t have happened. perfect bowl and a glued together lid. She wrap for half of that. Unfortunately, she only If you must do your own packing, please was not a collector and the sight of them was bought half of what she needed to securely pack a box within a box with packing materi- giving her bad feelings. pack the ironstone. What she did use shifted al in between. We particularly dislike foam Naturally, we were happy to have the pieces en route, and the piece was smashed against peanuts, not only because they are horrible and asked her to have them packed and sent the outside of the box. For the difference of environmentally, but also because they shift by a commercial shipping service even seven dollars and fifty cents, a rare tureen was within the package. Rather, use crumpled though it might cost a little more. We then sat lost. or bubble wrap, and pack firmly so back and waited for the delivery. She did do one thing right. She insured the there is no chance of shifting. When the package arrived making a clink- package for the amount that she was selling Frankly, storing all that packing material has ing noise, we knew something was very the pieces to us. The only problem was for us been a pain and so for the few times that we wrong. On opening it, our fears were con- to show the post office on our end the dam- need to ship pieces, we have found paying a firmed. We called immediately to report the aged pieces and the package. It took at least few extra dollars to let a professional pack damage and ask why she had obviously three weeks before she received a check. and ship gives us more time, less work and no packed the tureen herself? Dealers have been shipping ironstone for anxiety. 9 Her answer still causes me to shake my years without incidence but we also have Bev Dieringer NEW PATTERN James Kline of Brookside, New Jersey, discovered this tulip borderd plate by Powell & Bishop (1866- 78.) James sent this photo to Jean Wetherbee who had never seen this particular before. This is a nice addition to the body of knowledge that seems to keep growing.

WHAT IS IT AND WHAT porous and opaque. It needs a glaze to make confessed that most authors (who are mainly it impervious to liquids. in the U.K.) are not geared to writing a basic DO WE COLLECT? STONEWARE: is also made of , but has book for the “beginner” or the American col- By Dorothy Kowalsky additions such as fuseable stone, calcium or lector. This is not to say that there are not What is it and what do we collect? This is flint. Without these additions stoneware is fine, understandable and eminently readable a question that has confused and befuddled clay colored, but with the addition of calci- books out there. For the flow blue collector it me since Arnold and I started collecting and um-like products the body becomes white. It is particularly well worth re-reading Petra researching Flow Blue and its kindred wares. is fired at higher temperatures than earthen- Williams Flow Blue China. In her Volume 1, Is it , stoneware or is it ironstone, ware, 1100 to 1200 degrees. Due to these pages 1-6, Ms. Williams gives a fine intro- and what is the meaning of these terms? high temperatures, stoneware is vitrified, ren- duction and insight into the history and man- What is the definition of the sundry other dering it impervious to liquids, and can ufacturing of flow blue. terms such as stone china, opaque china, appear translucent when potted thinly. The final point we turned to is what do we semi-china, semi-porcelain, etc., and into IRONSTONE/STONE CHINA: is by its collect? As collectors of blue and white trans- what categories do they belong? definition earthenware with the addition of ferware, flow blue, mulberry wares, white I, as a neophyte when it comes to ceramics ferrous elements (iron slag). It is fired at the ironstone and tea leaf/copper lustre band, is knowledge, had a long conversation with my highest temperatures, 1200 degrees and our media composed of earthenware, husband, Arnold, who seriously studies above, and is the strongest of the three cate- stoneware or ironstone? To determine this, ceramics. Even with his extensive library and gories. periods of manufacture have to be investigat- knowledge, he could not adequately or simply Messers. Godden and Potter went on to ed. have been made from time answer my questions or put them into per- explain that all other “wares”, e.g., immemorial, date from the spective. This article is being written as a ware, stone china, opaque china, semi-china, 1500’s, and durable earthenware bodies were result of that conversation. It is being written semi-porcelain, porcelain opaque, etc., even introduced by in c. 1800, followed by for fellow collectors of blue and white trans- though having slightly different formulae, Mason’s Patent Ironstone in 1813 and ferware, flow blue, mulberry wares, white belong to the earthenware category which, for ’s Stone China in 1813-1814. The new ironstone and tea leaf/copper lustre band cov- our purposes, include stoneware and iron- media of ironstone/stone china was, of ering the period from Turner through Masons, stone. They further said, that basically all course, quickly adapted, changed and refined Spode and thereafter (e.g., 1800 to the these terms were devised and employed by by every potter thereafter, and even though 1880’s), and grouped according to the manner potters to enhance their product and to better the names were different the bodies were of glazing and decoration. market and realize higher prices for their basically the same (see definitions). After becoming very frustrated, we turned to wares. So your collection could be, depending on two of the most eminent authorities on the Finally, I voiced to both gentlemen that, the date, any one of the three media. If your subject, Geoffery Godden and John Potter -- although there are hundreds of erudite and pieces pre-date 1800 then the body would be both gracious gentlemen. I had a long talk beautiful volumes authored on ceramics, either earthenware, stoneware or with both Mr. Godden and Mr. Potter. They there is no primer that simply defines and ironstone/stone china. In all probability, how- patiently heard me out and we were able to delineates the topic. I further stated that we in ever, your collection is made of either come up with a simple, clear definition and the are younger/newer (no in stoneware or ironstone/stone china. order for these terms. The following is what age but in history) collectors than those in the Exceptions, of course, do exist. Markings evolved. There are, excluding porcelain, U.K. I went on to say that I we are sore- from c. 1840 on included new terms such as three basic categories: earthenware, ly in need of a solid basic publication that granite ware, opaque china, semi-porcelain, stoneware and ironstone in that order of could explain and elucidate all of the varying etc. It must be remembered that all these refinement. terms and methods and bring them into per- were marketing terms employed by potters. EARTHENWARE: is the most basic, made spective. After all, a beginning bridge player For the purist, however, the only way to deter- of potter’s earth or clay and not vitrified. It is has to start with the basics before advancing mine this is by breaking the piece and having fired at the lowest temperatures, about 900 to to the intermediate and advanced stages. Mr. its makeup analyzed. Godden and Mr. Potter agreed with me but 1100 degrees. When fired, earthenware is 10

ODDS AND ENDS

At left: an almost whimsical sugar bowl made by Barrow & Co., Longton, England c. 1853-1856. It is 7 1/4” tall and the base reminds us of an upside-down Sydenham Tulip Shape. Harry Lowe collection and photo.

Above: all of you cooks out there will recognize this as a gravy separator. For those who don’t cook, this device allows you to strain off the fat which rises to the top because there is a hole at the bottom that only allows the lean gravy to pour out. The piece is 3 1/4” tall and 8 1/2” wide including the handles. The mark on the bottom is repro- duced next to the photo. In the collection of Carol and Frank Fleischman of Joliet, Illinois. (Fleischman photo)

This soup tureen on the left, was seen in Jim Kerr’s booth this summer. Flower Garden Border made by W. H. Grindley, Tunstall, can be seen on page 140 of Weatherbee’s Collector’s Guide only as a drawing of a detail. We thought that those with pieces of this pattern in their collection, might enjoy see- ing these details in a photo- graph.

Left: two views of an ironstone butter mold found by Bertica Vasseur and Polly Gosselin. It is about three inches across with no mark and even though it is in poor condition, it is probably quite rare in ironstone. It was photographed at the Farmington, Connecticut, show this summer. Right: we thought you might enjoy seeing how some of our members use their ironstone when entertaining. This ham stand sitting on a lovely Gothic platter was featured at a sum- mer board meeting at Jill O’Hara’s Pennsylvania home. The stand is nine inches high with no maker’s mark. 11 SPARE PARTS

WANTED: RIBBED BUD by Pankhurst sauce CERES by E&F miniature creamer, reg- SCROLLED BUBBLE ewer by threen undertray, CERES by E & F, ular size sauce tureen underplate, Pankhurst. sauce tureen ladle (pg 92, fig 11-1 in SYDENHAM sugar bowl lid, SCAL- Jim & Mara Kerr (518) 296 8052 Collector’s Guide) WALLED OCTA- LOP DECAGON oval sauce tureen ------GON by J.F. coffee or tea pot base. underplate. Murray Russle Smith (304) 728 4387 John & Anne Bedford (713) 498 2395 FOR SALE: ------LAUREL WREATH three piece soap All CERES by Elsmore & Forster, all PRIZE BLOOM potty bottom, master dish, chip on rim and liner is stuck on the miniatures in any pattern, all cup plates waste jar lid and a mug. (See page 7.) inside but otherwise very nice. $210.00 in most patterns, bread plates, any pat- Jack & Janet Allers (914) 876 3757 Gloria Weatherby (302) 478 3815 tern (will consider American, prefer ------English). Please, no chips, cracks or SYDENHAM gravy tureen under tray, FIG gravy boat by Davenport. $75.00 repairs. Can’t find much in Oklahoma. CERES by E&F sugar bowl lid. CAKE STAND, 11” diameter, bu Leo & Bettty Lippert (405) 789 3702 Fran Kinne (201) 567 1202 Davenport. $165.00, SYDENHAM ------chamber pot by T & R Boote, no lid, PRIZE BLOOM soup tureen lid, must FIG teapot, MORNING GLORY cream- hairling crack. $50.00/ have cut-out for ladle. Also a ladle. er, milk pitcher or shaving mug. Bob Davenport (860) 355 4379 EDWARD’S OCTAGON and Bill Lancaster (608) 325 5724 ------ALCOCK’S DECAGON soup tureen ------SQUARE LINER, 4” looking for a lone- lids and BOOTE’S 1851 large soup SYDENHAM oval sauce tureen base ly soap dish or butter dish. Object, mat- tureen lid. (We can dream.) plate. rimony. $10.00 plus shipping. Ernie & Bev Dieringer (203) 938 3740 Olga Moreland (212) 744 0872 Bev Dieringer (203) 938 3740 ------

COLLECTOR’S SHOWCASE

At a recent visit to the Allers’ lovely country home, we pho- tographed this graceful one-of- a-kind piece probably meant to hold crackers, tea biscuits or after-dinner mints on a side table. It is twelve inces long and has no marks but difinitely looks like English ironstone. This little delight is one of many unusual and interesting pieces that Jack and Janet Allers have collected over the years. It resides in Rhinebeck, New York. 12