Database of Patterns & Sources Count

18,493 patterns, 1,136 sources now available in the Database Patterns and Sources.

February eNews 2024

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 [email protected].
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2024 ANNUAL MEETING in PHILADELPHIA

The Transferware Collectors Club Chooses Philadelphia for Its New Spring Annual Meeting, April 26-28, 2024


Philadelphia and the Transferware Connection:

100 years of British Transferware History and Style


We are excited to announce the TCC’s return to in-person meetings with the launch of our new spring Annual Meeting in historic Philadelphia, April 26–28, 2024! The meeting will be held in Philadelphia (hotel to be announced shortly) and it will include a day visit to the Winterthur Museum and Gardens on Saturday, April 27th. The lectures and activities planned for this meeting will highlight Philadelphia’s rich history related to both the decorative use and utilitarian consumption of British transfer-printed wares, patterns, sources, and stylistic trends. The meeting will also include the always popular Transferware Raffle and the Transferware Dealer Sale.


The meeting’s program, Philadelphia, and the Transferware Connection: 100 Years of British Ceramic History and Style, explores three distinct but closely related areas of interest:

  • Philadelphia’s Ceramic Market in the 18th and 19th Centuries
  • Historic Philadelphia and Patriotic Themes on Transferware
  • Transferware and the Aesthetic Movement and Transfer-printed Pot Lids for the Philadelphia Trade

Link to Learn More About the Program and Speakers

It’s Not Too Late to Renew Your Membership!

If you have already renewed, thank you. If you have already renewed, thank you! If not, the opportunity remains to continue receiving the bulletin, access the Database of Patterns and Sources (approaching 19,000 patterns), attend meetings and lectures, and much more.


  1. Please go online to transferwarecollectorsclub.org,
  2. Click on My Account, Login, and then go to
  3. Add/Renew Membership to pay with PayPal. 
  • All International Members must renew through PayPal.
  • For a printable membership renewal form, go to the website, Click on Join, and click on the Printable Membership Form.


Thank you for your prompt renewal. [email protected]

IN MEMORIAM - COLIN MURRAY PARKES

Colin Murray Parkes


We are saddened to learn of the recent death of Colin Parkes, age 95, long-time TCC member and enthusiastic early supporter of and category editor of the Database of Patterns and Sources. Colin and his wife Patricia were avid transferware collectors, with their vast collection filling every nook and cranny in their home, including the attic and basement. TCC members who joined our 2015 England Tour were guests of the Parkes for a most memorable visit. Colin and Patricia traveled to the US to attend a number of our annual meetings.


Colin was a well-known and internationally admired psychiatrist, an expert on death, grief and bereavement, author of numerous books and publications, and sought-after lecturer. His 2013 Database Discoveries article “Death and Bereavement on Transfer-Printing” combined his expertise in both death and bereavement and transferware. Following is an excerpt from the article’s introduction:

Death is an unpopular topic in our society and we may ask why anyone would want to include death-related imagery on items intended to decorate homes or to be used in the daily consumption of food and drink. A systematic trawl of the current TCC database reveals 104 patterns that are directly related to death. It would be tedious to show every one of them here and the examples that follow have been chosen to shed light on attitudes to death in the 19th century. A surprising number of these were found on children's wares as is shown in Judith Siddall's Database Discovery article 'Inappropriate Patterns for Children'. Hopefully the reasons for this 'inappropriate' behaviour will become apparent in this article. In the event the patterns may also teach us something about our own attitudes to death.


Colin’s article is well-worth a read and can be downloaded from the TCC website:

https://www.transferwarecollectorsclub.org/research-learning/articles/12-death-and-bereavement-transfer-printing


Additional images can be viewed on the TCC website in our report of the 2015 tour: https://larryb.smugmug.com/TCC-Items/TCC-Visit-16-OCT-2015/n-c4QDTt

BULLETIN

TCC Bulletin Vol. XXIV No. 2


New issue is now available for members to download here. Free to all is a sample article: Opening Pandora’s Box: Identification and Attribution of the Greek Myth Series by Adrienne Trunk Boggs.


The TCC Bulletin Index -- incorporating listings of articles from the Fall 1999 issue through to the most recent issue. A rich resource! Search Index.


The Bulletin editors are seeking contributions for the upcoming bulletin. Contacts: Dan Sousa: [email protected] or David Hoexter: [email protected]


Transferware Collectors Club (TCC) Bulletin writers guidelines: Download writers guidelines

2023 Vol. XXIV No. 2

2024 RESEARCH GRANT


New Funding Announced

for the Study of British Transferware


2024 Research Grant Proposals now being accepted


All grant applications must be received by May 4th.

The Transferware Collectors Club, a US-based international non-profit organization dedicated to the study of British transfer-printed ceramics, is pleased to welcome applications for the 2024 Transferware Collectors Club Research Grant Program for the study of British Transferware.


Grant Funding

Launched in 2009, the Grant Program is dedicated to supporting research focused on British transferware produced between 1750 and 1900. Annual funding for this program remains at $10,000. To date the program has funded over thirty projects. A summary of winning proposals from previous years is available on the club’s website. Grant funding for selected proposals is made available by the end of August each year.


The following are the 2023 Richards Research Grant Recipients:

Radhika Vaidyanathan, India

Project Title: “Historical British transfer printed tiles, flat and round ware and their legacy in public and private collections in present day India”


David Barker, UK

Project Title: “Transfer-printed ceramics in the Eastern Caribbean: a case study on the island of Nevis”

Neil Ewins, UK

Project Title: “Alternative Narratives in Ceramic History: culture, identity, religion and race”


George Haggarty, UK

Project Title: The Gallatown and Fife Potteries, Kirkcaldy, Scotland: A Potted History and its Wares

For More Information, Contact Dan Sousa, Grant Administrator: [email protected] or Scott Hanson, TCC President: [email protected]


All grant applications must be received by May 4 of the year the request is made. Learn more.

PUZZLE OF THE MONTH

Parkes Collection Puzzle


This month's puzzle shows one of the many cabinets filled with transferware in the lovely home of Colin and Patricia Parkes in the UK. The photo was taken during a visit to view the Parkes Collection during the 2015 TCC Annual Meeting in England. Assembled over decades, the vast collection includes pieces in virtually every stylistic category of transferware. In this one cabinet we see Greek mythology, Chinoiserie, pastoral landscapes, floral motifs, and other categories. We were deeply saddened to hear of the recent death of Colin, at age 95, and send our condolences to Patricia and their children, grandchildren, and great grandchild.

Go to the PuzzleSee past Puzzles of the Month.


Thanks to Scott Hanson for preparing the "Puzzle of the Month" and photo by Judie Siddall.

PHOTOS OF THE MONTH

A Blue Transferware Sampler

Just a very small fraction of the spectacular transferware collection assembled by Colin and Patricia Parkes, our hosts for an afternoon during our 2015 England tour. Most if not all of the patterns shown here are in the TCC Database of Patterns and Sources, as Colin was an avid DB editor. See above for a brief remembrance of Colin, who recently passed away. See larger images. See past Photos of the Month.



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

PATTERN OF THE MONTH

The EyeDeal Hare Restorer

Shown on a 1.7 inches high pot, from an unknown maker. The pattern is a rebus: a combination of words and pictures. The advertisement is for a hair restorer. The pattern uses the words, The, Deal, and Restorer. The pictures that replace the words, I and Hair, are an eye and a hare. The pattern is clever and attractive, which is what you would want for an advertisement that holds your product. The pot or container probably had a paper lid or a paper band that included the name of the maker or retailer plus other information about the product. For TCC members, this is pattern #17852 in the Database of Patterns and Sources. To see other patterns that advertise hair products, search Advertising/Hair Products/Pomades in the database. View larger image. See past Patterns of the Month.

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

VIDEO OF THE MONTH

Supplying the Present Wants of Our Yankee Cousins


Dr. Neil Ewins, Senior Lecturer in Design History, University of Sunderland, Sunderland, England.


Description: In 1997, the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery of Hanley published my Supplying the Present Wants of Our Yankee Cousins: Staffordshire Ceramics and the American market 1775-1880.


This lecture focuses on some of the themes covered by this publication which, it is hoped, will be of interest to British ceramic enthusiasts. My fascination with this subject has never diminished and my talk will also include more recent work on this theme. The process of learning continues, as does the research.


Our Speaker: Dr. Neil Ewins is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sunderland teaching Design History and Theory courses for BA and MA students studying design, ceramics and glass. He has worked at Sunderland for almost 20 years and is a Senior Fellow of The Higher Education Academy. He also acts as a PhD supervisor. Neil is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and sits on Editorial Board of the Journal of Business and Economic Development. His most recent book, Ceramics and Globalization: Staffordshire Ceramics, Made in China, was published by Bloomsbury Academic in 2017. He is currently working on a chapter concerning 19th century ceramics and glass for a six-volume publication entitled A Cultural History of Craft, also to be published by Bloomsbury. Neil is a proud member of the Transferware Collectors Club, and the American Ceramic Circle. Watch Video Watch video.

LECTURE, SYMPOSIA, and MEETING INVITATIONS

Wedgwood International Seminar


Friday, February 9, 2024 - 2:30PM EST


A Special Relationship - Sculpture and Parian Porcelain in Victorian Britain

by Paul Atterbury


Many of us will likely recognize Paul from the British Antiques Road Show. Paul is a writer, lecturer, curator, and broadcaster with a special interest in the art, architecture and design of the 19th and 20th centuries. He has written and edited around 50 books, and his ceramic titles include The Parian Phenomenon and The Dictionary of Minton, and he has organized exhibitions for the Victoria & Albert Museum, London and other institutions in Britain and the USA.


Zoom link.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84290022520?pwd=ejAzSVZZNjMzbFdDbms5T0Z1dFQyUT09 


Or contact them at [email protected]

San Francisco Ceramic Circle


Sunday, February 18, 2024 - 11:00AM PST


The Sèvres Déjeuner Culture et récolte du cacao and Fantasizing Conquest in Nineteenth-Century France

Iris Moon, Associate Curator European Sculpture and Decorative Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art

In person at the Gunn Theater and virtual via Zoom.


Register in advance for this webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Uu8_xTQySAWvR9LFQUOrhw


After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

The Museum of Royal Worcester


Wednesday, February 21, 2024 - 6PM

An Artist’s Exploration of the Historic Technique of Tissue

Transfer-Printing on Ceramics’

by Dr Lisa Sheppy


Tissue transfer-printing on ceramics was a revolutionary technique pioneered at Dr Wall’s Worcester porcelain manufactory. It enabled the mass re-production of elaborate and fashionable artist engravings on porcelain items for a wider range of people. Lisa Sheppy brings an artist’s and printmaker’s eye to the history and possibility of this technique. She presents findings and practical explorations from her PhD studies including research in the Museum’s collections and archives. Join us on this artist exploration and re-imagining of this particular method of production through the lens of contemporary printmaking and what it offers designers and artists into the future.


Full information here and booking links here

https://www.museumofroyalworcester.org/whats-on/online-winter-talks/

San Francisco Ceramic Circle


Sunday, March 17, 2024 - 11:00 AM PST


The Art of German Stoneware: Meanings and Mysteries

Jack Hinton, Henry P. McIlhenny Curator of European Decorative Arts and Sculpture, Philadelphia Museum of Art

In person at the Gunn Theater and virtual via Zoom. For general questions contact: [email protected]

The Museum of Royal Worcester


Wednesday, March 20, 2024 - 6PM


‘Nature, Porcelain and the Enlightenment – George Edwards’

“Uncommon Birds” on Worcester and Chelsea Porcelain’

Presenter Paul Crane, porcelain expert


George Edwards’ enlightenment publication of ‘A Natural History of Uncommon Birds’ was published in four volumes between the years of 1743 and 1751. Paul Crane shows how this exquisitely illustrated work was used as direct inspiration by artist enamellers and model-makers at both the Worcester Manufactory during the First Period Dr Wall era and also at the Chelsea Porcelain manufactory in London.


Full information here and booking links here

https://www.museumofroyalworcester.org/whats-on/online-winter-talks/

HAUGHTON INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR 2024


“Mystery, Beauty & Preciousness”



Wednesday, 26th and Thursday, 27th June 2024

 


Mystery, Beauty & Preciousness - The mystery, beauty and preciousness of art over the centuries will be discussed including Schatzkammers (Imperial Treasuries), Regalia, Church Treasuries, Rare Jewels, Snuff Boxes, Rare Ceramics – Saint Porchaire and Vezzi, Princely Arms and Armour made by the Helmschmid Dynasty of Renaissance Armourers in the city of Augsburg who counted the Emperors Maximillian I and Charles V among their many clients.


Booking opens on 31st January. For all information including the amazing line-up of international speakers and topic please visit: 

https://www.haughton.com/seminar-2024


At SCI / Society of Chemical Industry, 14-15 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PS

FEATURE GRANT RECIPIENT

2014 Paul and Gladys Richards Foundation Research Grant Program Recipient.


John Simpson, West Sussex, England, UK

Study Title: Earthenware of H & R Daniel 1822 - 1854

Link to book.


All grant applications must be received by May 4 of the year the request is made. Learn more.

FEATURE ARTICLES

The Mysterious Mr. Marshall Plagiarist Extraordinaire by Dick Henrywood


William Marshall of number 1, Holborn Bars, London, must have been quite a character. He was at various times a lottery dealer, publisher, pocket book maker, print seller, chapman, stationer, hardwareman, cutler and tea dealer, a bankrupt and, it transpires, a plagiarist. Read article. Read the article.

The influence of Jean-Baptiste Pillement’s art on ceramics by Loren Zeller


While much has been written about Jean-Baptiste Pillement’s art and its role in the decorative arts in general, little attention has been given to the artist’s profound influence on ceramic design. The one exception is Marie Gordon-Smith who, in her monograph titled Pillement, pointed to the international importance of the artist’s work in the field of ceramics. Read the article.

FEATURE BOOKS

The Charm of English Pink, Vol 1 The Pots by Margie Williams


This is an in-depth exploration of a portion of the many, many pots as well as the individual patterns produced in pink. Over 300 unique patterns are illustrated and historically explored in detail, including a glimpse at English transferware’s mysteries − both solved and unsolved. 414 pages, 9 by 12 inches, Perfect binding $65.00 More info.

101 Ceramic Highlights; The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery


101 Ceramic Highlights profiles the ceramic collections at The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent, through 101 carefully selected entries. Introductory essays also explore how this unique and special collection has developed from its origins in the 19th century. Naturally, this attractive publication references the world’s largest collection of North Staffordshire pottery, but also features objects from all over the world, exploring more than 4000 years of international ceramic history. More info.

CLUB & INFORMATION WEBSITES

The Daniel Ceramic Circle

Daniel Ceramic Circle is where you will find accurate and up-to-date information and the latest research into the manufactory of H & R DANIEL pioneers of enamelling and gilding techniques, and producers of some of the finest ceramics of their day. Visit the site.


The English Ceramics Circle

The ECC is dedicated to the study of ceramics manufactured, decorated, or used in the British Isles. The ECC offers these benefits to our members:

  • free copies of the annual ECC journal, Newsletters and other ceramic volumes
  • regular convivial meetings with talks on new research by ceramic experts
  • broadening your ceramic knowledge, making new friends and meeting ceramic experts
  • online access (with full text-search) to the ECC archives comprising around 700 papers
  • handling sessions at museums/public collections and visits to private collections
  • exclusive auction preview visits, including Bonhams and Woolley & Wallis

Visit the site.


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

AUCTION WATCH

There are no Auctions at this time.


Please contact us if you are offering or know of an upcoming auction 

with an emphasis on transferware.

CLASSIFIEDS

There are no new classified ads at the moment.


Please contact us if you are interested in placing a classified ad 

with an emphasis on transferware.

NEW BOOKS

Please contact us if you have recommendations of

newly published transferware books.

MEMBERSHIP ROSTER

A Membership List updated on April 12, 2023 is now available (for members only and only for non-commercial use). Download now. Please review your entry on the list, and notify us of any changes in your contact information.

MEMBERSHIP

Has Your Postal Mailing Address Changed?????


If you have moved but are not receiving your quarterly 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: [email protected]

MORE ABOUT TRANSFERWARE COLLECTORS CLUB


CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

We are now accepting simple classified (not display) advertisements from TCC member transferware dealers as well as non-dealer members and auction houses. There is no charge for this member service. Following are the criteria:  

  • Limited to three quality images of item(s) for sale or example(s) of an item(s) you wish to purchase.
  • Include a very short description paragraph, including a link to your website and/or email address.
  • Dealers must be TCC members, limited to once/year maximum.
  • Requests will be processed in the order received, and there is no guarantee as to when your ad will be posted.
  • The TCC Web Administrator at his/her discretion has the right to reject inappropriate or inadequate submittals.


Contact:  

[email protected]


The Database Needs Editors 

Do you love a good mystery? Do you fancy yourself to be a Sherlock Holmes or Miss Marple? If your answer is "yes", then you are the perfect candidate to join the ranks of TCC Database Detectives! Download more information.  


New Database Discoveries

Articles Needed 

Please contact the web administrator with suggestions or contributions of future Database Discoveries articles. See Database Discoveries archives. 


Contributions Needed for Bulletin  

Bulletin editor Richard Halliday is seeking contributions for the upcoming bulletin.


Contact: [email protected].

LOOKING for a FEW (MORE) DATABASE EDITORS

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 [email protected] for more information!

SEEKING BULLETIN SUBMITTALS

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: 

Dan Sousa, Interim TCC Bulletin Editor: [email protected]

David Hoexter, Co-Editor: [email protected]

Michael Sack, Co-Editor: [email protected]

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