20,312 patterns, 1,196 sources now available in the Database Patterns and Sources.

September eNews 2026

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.

Join the TCC and take full advantage of our many available services and features.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

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

AUCTION WATCH

Important collection of Swansea transferware


Hawleys Auctioneers


September 26-28, 2026

Hawleys Auctioneers in the UK will be offering for sale an important and extensive collection of Swansea transfer-printed pottery in their September sale, 26th – 28th. The collection was assembled over a great many years by Mr Williams of Newbury, UK. It includes many favorites such as Women with Baskets, Longbridge, Pulteney Bridge, and more. The collection comprises of both black and blue transferware and has many difficult-to-find named landscape prints. View their catalogue.


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

FEATURED GRANT RECIPIENT

2019 Paul and Gladys Richards Foundation Research Grant Program Recipient. 


British Transferware Patterns for Table and Toilet Service in Nineteenth-Century Homes in Buenos Aires (Argentina)


Historical archeologist Sandra Guillermo's British Transferware Patterns for Table and Toilet Service in Nineteenth-Century Homes in Buenos Aires (Argentina): A systematic study to understand fashion and consumer tastes. Download PDF available to TCC members.


FEATURED ARTICLE

Swansea’s Printed Wares: A Re-Assessment, by Jonathan Gray


Founded in 1764, the Swansea (later to be renamed Cambrian) Pottery was in production for more than 100 years before closing in 1870. For the majority of this period, certainly the eighty years after 1790, printed wares were to be an important feature of the factory's output. Certainly after the production and decoration of Swansea porcelain had ceased in 1824/6, printed wares were the main, and at times, the only output of the firm. More information.

Swansea's Cambrian Pottery Public & Private Commemorative Printed Wares, by Arleen and Grahame Tanner


Very little has been written about the commemorative ware of the Cambrian Pottery, Swansea; the most informative lecture and subsequent paper was by P.D.Pryce in 1972. In general terms it seems that public commemorative pieces produced by the Cambrian Pottery tended to be early in date whilst the private commemorative pieces are of a later date. More information.

VIDEO LECTURE OF THE MONTH

Patterns of Fashion: Transfer printed designs c.1850-c.1910


Speaker: Miranda Goodby


Between c.1850 and 1910 British printed ceramics underwent a huge change from largely conventional floral and landscape designs to self-consciously bizarre and exotic patterns inspired by a variety of sources from Japan to Art Nouveau.


Companies from the 'first-class' firms to the small manufactories were all similarly inspired - but largely filtered their patterns through a practical Staffordshire attitude towards what would sell well.


Miranda Goodby is a freelance ceramics specialist, writer and museum consultant. She has worked at a number of English museums and was Senior Curator of Ceramics at the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent, for 28 years, before leaving in 2023. Her specialist interest in Staffordshire ceramics and their makers has earned her an international reputation. She has lectured widely in the UK, North America and Europe, and has curated ground-breaking collaborative exhibitions, such as the 2021 touring exhibition Majolica Mania, with international partners.


It is available for viewing with members' login. View this video.

PATTERN OF THE MONTH


Gleaners



The pattern is known as Gleaners. It was made by Henshall & Co. (1790-1828). For TCC members, this is pattern #947 in the TCC Database of Patterns and Sources.


View larger image. See past Patterns of the Month.

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

PUZZLE OF THE MONTH

Wedgwood "Chesnut" Pattern

The Josiah Wedgwood pottery was in business from 1759 to 2005. Initially located in Burslem, the firm later moved to Etruria and Barlaston, all in Staffordshire, England. The longevity of the company helps explain why it is one of the best known British potteries today. One contributing factor in that longevity was the company’s ability to lead, or at least keep up, with new patterns as the public’s taste changed.


“Chesnut” was registered in 1878 and reflects the newly popular Aesthetic Movement in its design. Patterns featuring floral centers with geometric borders had long been produced by Wedgwood. “Waterlily,” introduced in 1808, is one example. Seventy years later, the Aesthetic Movement was looking toward Japanese design influences which are reflected in the large eight petaled stylized floral medallion. Each petal has a flower-like image arranged around a circular center which holds eight smaller petals. It has a simple geometric double-banded border.

From the Jameson Family Collection, Pittsford, NY. Photo courtesy of eBay seller Thomas Jameson. 

It is pattern #4130 in the TCC Database, where a brown printed example is shown. Comparison between the Database example and these plates shows that the red elements are hand painted around and in the blue printed pattern, with the umber color added to the printed elements and used for a painted line at the rim. With the unusual added design elements in red, this should perhaps be considered a variation of the pattern, not just another printed color.

Play puzzle. See past Puzzles of the Month.


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

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

"Pittsfield Elm" in Sacramento, CA


A group of TCC members visited the California Department of Parks and Recreation Archaeology Unit laboratory in West Sacramento, California, in 2009. We assisted the state park archaeologists in identifying a wide range of transferware dating throughout the19th century, all unearthed from various park sites. Just one of the highlights was an almost complete assembled “Winter View of Pittsfield, Mass” (aka “Pittsfield Elm”) plate. TCC members can learn more about this iconic pattern in the TCC Database of Patterns and Sources. See larger image. See past Photos of the Month.

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

FEATURED BOOKS

Pottery Recipes Book by Staffordshire Potter Thomas Lakin, by Edward Baines


  1. Bodies of Porcelain, Earthenware, vitrious and porous Bodies
  2. Glases of Poreelain, Iron Stone, Earthenware
  3. Enamel Colours
  4. Zaffre and Cobalt Blue
  5. Painting and Staining GIass Read more.

An Historical Atlas of Staffordshire Phillips, A.D.M. and Phillips, C.B. (editors)


The two major contributions of the Black Country and the Potteries that now dominate the county co-exist with smaller towns that in their day had similar standing as centres of the Mercian state. The county's world-renowned industrial complexes based on ceramics and the metalware trades, products of the industrial revolution and before, sit alongside agricultural systems embracing both arable and grassland specialisms. Read more.

DISHY NEWS


A Transferware Blog by Judie Siddall.


Skunks on Transferware


A few years ago I purchased a partial dinner service called "Zoological Sketches" made by Job Meigh & Son in Staffordshire around 1830. Job Meigh wanted to capitalize on the zoo craze that was sweeping Great Britain after the opening of the London Zoological Gardens in 1828. Read more.

SMITHSONIAN EXHIBITION INCORPORATES 

TCC RESEARCH GRANT FINDINGS


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. Link to Jaap Otte report.



For more information about the ceramics of Sunan Gunung Jati visit the exhibition's The Ceramics of Teak Hill.


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.

CLUB & INFORMATION WEBSITES


The American Ceramic Circle

The American Ceramic Circle (ACC) creates and supports a community for the appreciation and study of ceramics of all kinds, periods, and origins. Its purpose is to promote scholarship and research in the history, use, and preservation of ceramics. The current active membership is composed of ceramics enthusiasts from many walks of life, including museum professionals, collectors, institutions, auction house professionals, and dealers in ceramics. Visit the site.


The Antique Pot Lid Collector

The Antique Pot Lid Collector was created by John Foumakis and David Treloar, specialist collectors who have a very broad knowledge in Antiques, Fine Arts and Collectables spanning a total of over 100 years. John specialises in muti-coloured printed pots and lids commonly referred to as Pratt types and David specialises in advertising pots and lids. View the site.

 

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

TRANSFERWARE RELATED WEBSITES & BLOGS


Furnivals Pottery Group

This Facebook group is for collectors of Furnivals pottery, or for anyone interested in learning more about the company and the wide range of designs which they produced between the 1840's and the 1960's. Please feel free to post pictures of your collections and to share any stories or information which you may have about this lesser-known Staffordshire company. Visit the site.


Gladstone Pottery Museum

Gladstone's History was created to recognise the remarkable achievements of Gladstone Working Pottery Museum following the dramatic rescue of a derelict potbank from the bulldozer in March 1971. The museum was fully opened to the public on 24th April 1975. Visit the site.

 

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

LECTURE, SYMPOSIA, and MEETING INVITATIONS

San Francisco Ceramic Circle


Sunday, September 13, 2026


Annual Member’s Meeting and Pot Night


San Francisco Towers 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Annual business meeting, report from the Fine Arts Museums and member’s show and tell.

Wedgwood International Seminar


Friday, October 9, 2026


“An Earthen Ware In The Antique Stile”. This title is a quote from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 1787.


Diane Ehrenpreis, Curator of Decorative Arts and Historical Interiors, Monticello.



Diane Ehrenpreis, Curator of Decorative Arts and Historical Interiors, will explore Thomas Jefferson’s fascination with Josiah Wedgwood’s innovative industrial enterprise and the important role Wedgwood ceramics played both in his public life and at Monticello. Spanning the years from Jefferson’s 1772 marriage to Martha Wayles Skelton through his retirement, the presentation will trace changing tastes at Monticello, including the eventual rise of competing wares on the dining table. Special attention will be given to Jefferson’s use of Wedgwood furnishing tablets within an Etruscan-inspired decorative scheme at Monticello, a design movement only recently identified by scholars. Drawing on Jefferson’s letters, account books, libraries, and compelling archaeological and architectural evidence uncovered beneath the earth, layers of paint, and later alterations, this fascinating talk will reveal new insights into the intersection of style, commerce, and daily life in Jefferson’s world.


Additional information about the Zoom lecture will be sent in September. You can always find information on the WIS FaceBook page, Instagram, and the WIS Website.

For general questions: wedgwoodinternationals@gmail.com

San Francisco Ceramic Circle


Sunday, October 11, 2026, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. pst 


Virginians and Their Dishes: Ceramic Highlights from the Greater Williamsburg Area

and the People Who Owned Them


Angelika Kuettner, Curator of Ceramics and Glass, Colonial Williamsburg. A Double Lecture in conjunction with the American Decorative Arts Forum.


In person at the Gunn Theater and virtual via Zoom.

For general questions: sfceramiccircle@gmail.com

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.

BULLETIN


A special issue of the bulletin edited by Loren Zeller will be issued in October. The next issue is of the standard bulletin currently being put together by our co-editors David Hoexter and Michael Sack. Members can download all past issues of the bulletin in PDF format here, and anyone can download the numerous sample articles here.


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: David Hoexter: davidhoexter@icloud.com or Michael Sack: msack@michaelsack.com


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


2026 Vol. XXVII No. 1

AUCTION WATCH


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

NEW BOOKS


Please contact us if you have recommendations of newly published transferware books.

MEMBERSHIP

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.

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY


The online membership directory is accessible to members on our website. 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.

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:  

webadministrator@transferwarecollectorsclub.org


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 David Hoexter is seeking contributions for the upcoming bulletin.


Contact: bulletineditor@transferwarecollectorsclub.org.

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 otlink@aol.com 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: 

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

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

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