Book Review: Pictorial Guide to Pottery & Porcelain Marks
By Linda Nelson
Chad Lang has taken a different approach to a pottery marks book--no histories, no hand-drawn illustrations of marks, and no additional information about designers. His Pictorial Guide to Pottery & Porcelain Marks uses a simple approach of showing a full-color photograph of the mark with a picture of the ceramic piece on which it’s found. Body text is limited to identifying the company and giving a range of dates when the item was made.
As a reference book, it shouldn’t be a first choice for a marks identification book--there’s little written information here--but it is a delightful book to enjoy. His approach allows the reader to view the exact mark to determine whether it’s incised, printed in ink, or some other combination of identifying characteristics. Seeing the item is both fun and informative. Since so many items escaped American potteries without marks, it quite possible this book can help a reader gather information about his own mysterious, unmarked items through comparison.
The book includes about 4,000 items and marks with more than 7,500 photographs. Items range from dinnerware and utilitarian items such as jugs and crocks to figurines, light fixtures, lamps, and even doll heads. American items are well represented among those from Austria, England, Germany, Japan, Russia, and many other countries. Items are not identified in the text by country, only what can be gleaned from the photographs. Mr. Lang suggests the book be used in conjunction with other more specific guides for more information.
Mr. Lang has included three indexes. The alphabetical and date indexes are enhanced by a "Sight Index," which identifies the mark, an anchor for example, and directs the reader to the companies that used that device in their marks.
Most of the photographs in this book are excellent; however, a few are blurry. Mr. Lang explains in the introduction by saying "What I found out through the process of writing this book is, I am not a photographer. So, my apologies for the worst of the photos, but the marks in them were of merit and worth noting."
Mr. Lang is an appraiser of antiques and collectibles and owner of Hidden Treasure Enterprises in Evansville, Indiana. He has been an appraiser for the PBS television series, Antiques Roadshow.
With full-color photographs throughout, this book is meant for enjoyment, but don’t be surprised at how much you can learn by observation as you page through it. And, it will look great on your coffee table--open or closed.
If you're interested in ordering this book, you can get a great deal on it from amazon.com. If you order by clicking through on the link below:
About the Author:
I've been interested in American Dinnerware for at least 15 years, but I knew I was hooked when I bought a 1937 set of Taylor Smith & Taylor dishes. I didn't need them, didn't really have room for them, and had no plans to use them, but I had to have them. I love the charm of their old-fashioned shape and the border of roses linked with a blue art deco-like band. The rest of my collection tends to be a piece here and there because my interest in American Dinnerware is bigger than my pocketbook. So, although my collection is small, my research continues.
I have a bachelor's degree in journalism and commercial art, but I've learned about pottery and glassware from reading, research on the Internet, and looking at pieces in antique shops. I grew up eating Sunday dinner from Taylor Smith & Taylor Lu-Ray dishes. My mother still uses them for special occasion dinners - like when "the kids" come home. (It's nice to have at least a couple of places where we can still be "the kids.")
After many years in a pressure-cooker job, with my husband's blessing I traded my long commute and a respectable paycheck for a chance to pursue some dreams. Now, I provide freelance writing and editing services remotely, thanks to email and the Internet. My primary customers are high-tech companies. My husband and I live in Sherman, Texas, with our spoiled-rotten rat terrier, Biscuit.
My other interests include drawing, painting, reading, crafts, antiques, and searching the Internet to learn more about it all. Visit me at American Dinnerware. I'd love to hear from you and talk about dinnerware. The site is new but will be growing.
Article courtesy of Suite101.com.
