Dear Transferware Enthusiasts:

We're pleased to send you this edition of our eNewsletter to give you the latest club news informing you of up-coming club activities and interesting new content on our web site and our Facebook page. We welcome your comments, suggestions, and input; email the TCC Web Content Administrator webadministrator@transferwarecollectorsclub.org.

We’ve entered the new year, an excellent opportunity to join the TCC and take full advantage of our many available services and features.

Several months ago, the Board voted to create a search committee to identify potential candidates for the roles of president and vice-president. We are still seeking at least one more member who would be willing to serve on this committee. If you have any interest in helping with this, please contact me directly at s.t.hanson@comcast.net.

Thank you!

Scott

TCC Research Grant Project in Indonesia

The Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, DC recently launched the online exhibition Beyond Rumi: Sufi Art and Practice. The exhibition uses several images from a survey of the architecturally used ceramics at the mausoleum of Sunan Gunung Jati by TCC-member Jaap Otte, who received a TCC Research Grant for the project in 2021. An exciting example of how the TCC is able to benefit a major museum as well as the general public.



For more information about the ceramics of Sunan Gunung Jati visit the exhibition's The Ceramics of Teak Hill. To review Jaap’s report, see below entry “Featured Grant Recipient”.

Beyond Rumi: Sufi Art and Practice focuses on eight sites from Morocco to Indonesia that flourished after the thirteenth century and uses various multimedia resources to highlight the sensory dimensions of Sufism and its wide-ranging forms of artistic expression. The intent is to provide students, teachers, and interested individuals with a different and accessible introduction to the complexity of Sufi Islam.

2021 Paul and Gladys Richards Foundation Research Grant Program Recipient. 

Jacob Otte, USA



Abstract: To systematically document the 19th century ceramics, including British transferware, affixed to the walls of the Shrine of Sunan Gunung Jati, the Muslin saint of Cirebon who is popularly credited with Islamization of West Java in the early 16th century. Read pdf. See also TCC Research Grant project in Indonesia at The Smithsonian Museum above.

Picturesque Views



Shown is a platter from the “Picturesque Views” series made by Ralph & James Clews (1814-1834). This pattern features “New York from Governors Island”. For TCC members, this is pattern #9167 in the TCC Database of Patterns and Sources. The TCC Database shows 30 patterns from this series in many colors and shapes. View larger image. See past Patterns of the Month.

Thanks to Judie Siddall for preparing the "Pattern of the Month."

Copeland "Kew" Platter

W.T. Copeland & Sons "KEW" pattern is typically found with the printed mark that was in use c.1867 to 1890. This pottery was the successor to Copeland & Garrett (c. 1833-1847) which succeeded Josiah Spode (c. 1770-1833). After 1890, Copeland began using the Spode name again and continued until 1970. The “Kew” pattern was introduced in 1882, named after the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, near Richmond, London. The design, with a border of chrysanthemum blooms and geometric style panels around a central stylized floral arrangement in a large vase, with a fence and additional floral in the background. This is the Aesthetic style which was very popular in the 1870s and 1880s and often incorporated elements inspired by Japanese design. The pattern was printed on both earthenware and porcelain in several colors including blue, red, brown, and black, sometimes with other colors added by hand as in this example.

Thanks to Scott Hanson for preparing the "Puzzle of the Month."

Photo courtesy of eBay seller Modern Design Antiques.

Play puzzle. See past Puzzles of the Month.

Spode

Roughly equivalent perspective of the Spode Works, in an undated historic photo and recent Google Earth image. We’d appreciate any information on the photo, contact us at: webadministrator@transferwarecollectorsclub.org See larger image. See past Photos of the Month.

Thanks to David Hoexter for preparing the "Photo of the Month."

A Transferware Blog by Judie Siddall.

Wedgwood Water Lily

Today I am showing you one of my favorite patterns from the Floral and Botanical category. The Water Lily pattern was originally engraved in 1808 for printing in brown with enamelled decoration. Josiah Wedgwood II gave instructions that it should be removed from display, saying it would be reissued in blue with an altered border. The resulting pattern was one of the finest of the period, and it enjoyed a long life. Read more.

Minton's Folio Friday 10th Anniversary In Depth

Alongside the continued enhancement of its online catalogue the Minton Archive website has grown to include submissions from other contributors, deep dives into specific areas of the collection, and updates from special projects. In Depth is where they bring all this together. Click and Enjoy!

The Wedgwood Society of Washington, DC

The Wedgwood Society of Washington D.C. was formed in 2000 to promote the education and enjoyment of Wedgwood collectors in the mid-Atlantic area. Wedgwood enthusiasts and collectors meet several times a year to share their research in the form of lectures, newsletters and other educational forums. Membership and meetings are open to all who appreciate the art and timeless beauty of Wedgwood. Visit the site.

The White Ironstone China Association

The pleasure and excitement associated with collecting white ironstone has prompted members to study its history, manufacturing processes, potters and their marks, importers’ marks, body styles, and types of ware. Members may present for discussion items they have acquired, view ironstone exhibits, participate in the buying and selling of ironstone, listen to guest speakers, and attend a large white ironstone auction. WICA publishes an educational newsletter, White Ironstone Notes, several times a year. It also issues a periodic White Ironstone China Association E-News to all members and prospective members. View the site.

Find more of the informative resources we've compiled here.

Fragment Found

Fragment Found is an ever-growing online archive of printed pottery sherds. The archive connects people, places, craft, local heritage and the natural environment. The aim is to build a community which centres around the joy of collecting, identifying and sharing mysterious pieces of history, which would otherwise remain undocumented. Selected fragments will become part of a series of ceramic artworks called ‘Imaginary Artefacts.’ Visit the site.

Friends of the Spode Museum

Is an independent charity formed in 2006 to urgently fund the removal off site of the Spode Museum Collection as it was located in Spode owned buildings. To date the Friends have handed over in excess of £83,000 to the Spode Museum Trust towards projects related to the Spode Collections. Your help is vital to continue with this support – you can join the Friends by downloading a membership form below, for as little as just £5 per year of a higher amount of your choosing. For existing members Membership Renewal falls due on 1st January each year. Visit the site.

Find more of the informative resources we've compiled here.

Transferware Collectors Club Worldwide Lecture Series

The Masons' Ironstone China Phenomenon and the Raven Mason Collection 
Speaker: Deborah Skinner

SAVE THE DATE

Thursday, January 14th, 2027 - 1PM EDT

Please contact us if you know of any lectures with an emphasis on transferware.

2026 Vol. XXVII No. 1

There are no auctions at this time.

Please contact us if you know of an auction with an emphasis on transferware.

 Please contact us if you have recommendations of

newly published transferware books.

Has Your Postal Mailing Address Changed?????

If you have moved but are not receiving your printed TCC Bulletin, you probably forgot to notify our member chair of your new address (this applies to email address changes also). The bulletin is mailed “bulk” and is not forwarded to new addresses by the USPS. Please notify the member chair directly: membership@transferwarecollectorsclub.org or make the necessary changes to your account online.

The online membership directory is a feature of our new program to improve members services. You must sign in to your account to view and search the directory. Please check your listing and make the appropriate changes in your account or transmit any corrections to the Member Chair. This will ensure that you will continue to receive the paper copies of the Bulletin. With bulk mailing, they are not forwarded if a member has moved. However, the Bulletins are available on the TCC website for current members. This online membership directory list is for use of Transferware Collectors Club members only. It is intended to facilitate contacts between members. The list is not to be used for commercial purposes. If you are a current member and believe your name should be on this list please contact the Member Chair. View the directory.

Looking for anyone with a passion for the beauty and history of transferware who would like to help record lovely old patterns for a worldwide audience. The Database of Patterns and Sources is maintained by a team of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet. You could be one of them! We're currently looking for editors in Romantic patterns, Literature and Performing Arts, and Tiles, but let us know your interests and we can find a spot for you. Contact Len at otlink@aol.com for more information!

The TCC Bulletin editor seeks submittals to future editions, particularly from first time or occasional authors. We have an extremely knowledgeable member base, yet many of our members seldom or never share their knowledge, at least in printed form. Now is your chance. Bulletin submittals do not need to be extremely technical or lengthy. They just need to be interesting and relate to British transferware! And they need to be accompanied by quality images. We would especially welcome articles from our growing number of archaeologist members.

Don’t fret if you have little experience. We will be pleased to work with you, to formulate your concept and bring your article along. Simply send us your ideas, if that is where you are, or text, even in preliminary form, if you are further along. Please submit in MS Word format, and separately, images in png, pdf or jpeg format. Please do NOT convert to PDF. Don’t worry if this is a problem for you; we’ll work with you to bring your article from preliminary to final, printed, stage, no matter your level of computer and word processes experience. Download the Guidelines.

Suggested topics: 

1. Your favorite transferware piece, either your own or displayed elsewhere (why is it your favorite?, how did you acquire it?, what is the pattern, maker if known?). 
2. What is your favorite place to view transferware: museum? stately home? Historic or archaeological site?
3. Tell (and show) us your own collection (really good pictures required).
4. New discoveries.
5. Archaeological sites: overall summary of the excavation as relates to transferware; discuss a particular pattern or piece; context/importance of the transferware.
6. In-depth research of a pattern, series, maker.

Contacts: 

David Hoexter, Interim TCC Bulletin Co-Editor: davidhoexter@icloud.com

Michael Sack, Interim TCC Bulletin Co-Editor: msack@michaelsack.com