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Database of Patterns & Sources Count
19,798 patterns, 1,178 sources now available in the Database Patterns and Sources.
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Dear Transferware Enthusiasts:
| | The TCC is excited to announce plans for its 2026 England Tour scheduled for June 1-7, 2026. The tour will visit London, York, the famous Newark Fair, and Staffordshire Region Potteries and Museums: Middleport Pottery, Spode Museum Trust, Wedgwood Museum and Factory, and the renown Potteries Museum in Stoke-on-Trent. Click here for a preview of activities planned for each day. | | IN MEMORIAM - Klaus Peter Zech | | |
The Transferware Collectors Club (TCC) expresses its profound sadness at the passing of Klaus Peter Zech on July 1. Klaus was an active and valued member whose influence was felt throughout the club. As a skilled accountant, he took on the role of club treasurer and served on the board from 2011 to 2016.
Klaus was recognized for his cheerful nature and warm smile. Alongside his wife Marcia, he consistently supported the TCC, attending annual meetings and special events. In 2012, Klaus and Marcia graciously hosted the club’s annual meeting in Seattle, organizing memorable activities such as gatherings at their homes on Mercer Island and Whidbey Island, where members enjoyed both their remarkable transferware collections and generous hospitality.
Klaus was particularly passionate about collecting pieces from the Arctic Scenery Series and was an avid reader, curating a substantial library in both English and German.
During my tenure as TCC president from 2005 to 2017, I was especially grateful for Klaus’s steadfast support and guidance, which played a pivotal role in the club’s progress. His five years of dedicated service as treasurer, along with the patron sponsorship provided by him and Marcia, enabled key initiatives, including the development of the TCC Database of Patterns and Sources and the club’s special exhibition websites.
Loren Zeller
View Klaus’ full obituary here, published August 3, in the Seattle Times.
If you wish to make a donation to the TCC in Klaus' memory, click here. Your donation will support the club’s services and programs (US members' donations are tax-deductible). Please notify David Hoexter at davidhoexter@icloud.com of your donation. Thank you."
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A Tiny Shard, a Little Boy, and a Big Mystery
by Scott Hanson
Several years ago, my then eight year-old neighbor, Millais (Mill) Graham, was digging in his garden and found a tiny shard of transferware. Transferware shards are not particularly rare in this Maine neighborhood of historic houses built between 1820 and 1850. I’ve built a sizable transferware collection based primarily on the patterns identified from the shards found on my property. Read more.
| | | VIDEO LECTURE OF THE MONTH | | |
The Transferware Recorder and a potted history of documenting views on transferware
by Dick Henrywood
The 2025 TCC conference celebrated the many Landscapes, Real and Imagined, on British Transferware! There were six lectures presented and they have since been video taped and are being added to the TCC website for members to view. The video recordings are sponsored by The Paul and Gladys Richards Research Grant Program for Studies in British Transferware.
Dick Henrywood reviewed the history of recording landscape patterns. He identified the various resources published, the illustrations they recorded, addresses the importance of identifying sources, and revealed a selection of plagiarized prints.
This video of the recent lecture in the Transferware is available for viewing and reviewing to TCC members. Watch video.
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"Asiatic Plants" pattern
Shown is "Asiatic Plants" made by William Ridgway (& Co.), 1830-1854. For TCC members, this is pattern #4613 in the TCC Database of Patterns and Sources. There are twelve different patterns from this series in the database. View larger image. See past Patterns of the Month.
| | Thanks to Judie Siddall for preparing the "Pattern of the Month." | | |
T.& R. Boote "Mealtime" Tile
This Aesthetic Movement tile pattern was registered on November 8, 1881, and is part of the “Children's Tea Party” (TCC name) series produced by T. & R. Boote. Boote was in business in Burslem, Staffordshire, from 1842 until 1906. Although the designer is unrecorded, the firm employed Kate Greenaway to design their ‘Seasons’ series of four tiles, also registered in 1881, and this series of four known tiles is in the same style, suggesting the possibility that Greenaway designed both series. The puzzle image has a full 6” square tile at center and portions of two identical flanking tiles. The pattern features a central square with an image of three small children seated at a table with bowls and spoons. The child to the right is slurping straight from the bowl and the child seen from the back is tied to a highchair. The border consists of four offset rectangles filled with floral motifs. The top and bottom have horizontal flowering cherry blossoms. The left has a large potted sunflower and the right a potted lily. Cherry blossoms, sunflowers, and lilies were three of the most prominent motifs associated with Aesthetic Movement design. “Mealtime” is a TCC assigned name, and the pattern is # 22477 in the TCC Database.
Thanks to Scott Hanson for preparing the "Puzzle of the Month."
| | Thanks to David Hoexter for preparing the "Photo of the Month." | | |
A Transferware Blog by Judie Siddall.
TRANSFERWARE COFFEE POTS
I posted a gorgeous Adams coffee pot on the Transferware Collectors Club Facebook page, and it received a lot of positive responses. Perhaps the bright red transfer or the charming pattern, The Pet, initiated the 500 plus likes. Read more.
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2021 Recipient of TCC Research Grant
Jacob Otte, USA
Report on the Documenting of the Architecturally Used Ceramics at the Mausoleum of Sunan Gunung Jati, Cirebon, Java, Indonesia
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 the report.
The 2025 deadline for research grant applications will be in the fall. Please check back again soon for the new deadline and updated application.
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Current issue is available for members to download here. Printed version has been mailed. Free to all is a sample article: Medieval Chinoiserie?
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 Scott Hansen: s.t.hanson@comcast.net
Transferware Collectors Club (TCC) Bulletin writers guidelines: Download writers guidelines
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Spode Greek by Nicholas Moore
Spode Greek is a one hundred and seventy page soft-back publication by Nicholas Moore. It will serve as an invaluable reference work for Greek pattern collectors, historians and transferware enthusiasts alike. The author has been collecting Spode transfer printed pottery for over thirty years and during that period, developed a major interest in Spode’s Greek patterns. The past eight years has seen Nicholas research every aspect, including historical contexts, of this extremely striking pattern. More info.
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Spode & Copeland: Over Two Hundred Years of Fine China and Porcelain by Steven Smith
Over 440 vivid color images display the wide range of ceramics produced by the English pottery firm, established by Josiah Spode in the 1760s and continuing today. From historic blue and white transfer printed wares of the early 1800s to popular dinnerware patterns of the 1900s, this book includes sprig decorated wares, delicate bone china table and tea sets, graceful figurines, and sturdy stoneware candlesticks and loving cups. More info.
| | | CLUB & INFORMATION WEBSITES | | |
The Wedgwood Society of NSW
The Wedgwood Society of New South Wales is an appreciation group interested in the products of Josiah Wedgwood, FRS (1730–1795) and his successors to the present day. They are based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Their members are from all over Australia and from other countries, with most resident in NSW. They publish a newsletter for members, The Medallion, and hold meetings, usually every second month, when they hear lectures or discussions about various aspects of Wedgwood and Wedgwood collecting. New members are most welcome Visit the site.
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 is open to anyone with an interest in Wedgwood. Their meetings are open to the public and they welcome all who appreciate the art and timeless beauty of Wedgwood. Visit the site.
Find more of the informative resources we've compiled here.
| | LECTURE, SYMPOSIA, and MEETING INVITATIONS | | |
SAVE THE DATES: The TCC is excited to announce plans for its 2026 England Tour scheduled for June 1-7, 2026. The tour will visit London, York, the famous Newark Fair, and Staffordshire Region Potteries and Museums: Middleport Pottery, Spode Museum Trust, Wedgwood Museum and Factory, and the renowned Potteries Museum in Stoke-on-Trent. Click here for a preview of activities planned for each day.
Please contact us if you know of any with an emphasis on transferware.
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There are no auctions scheduled at this time.
Please contact us if you know of an auction with an emphasis on transferware.
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For Sale: Transferware Reference Books for Sale
Extensive library for sale. See attached list (note, the list will not be updated as items are sold). Contact Dick & Judy Wagner: bygones@frontier.com or 541-756-1506 for availability and to order.
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Please contact us if you are interested in placing a classified ad
with an emphasis on transferware.
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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 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.
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Please contact us if you have recommendations of
newly published transferware books.
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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: membership@transferwarecollectorsclub.org or make the necessary changes to your account online.
| | 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
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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: 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:
- 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?).
- What is your favorite place to view transferware: museum? stately home? Historic or archaeological site?
- Tell (and show) us your own collection (really good pictures required).
- New discoveries.
- Archaeological sites: overall summary of the excavation as relates to transferware; discuss a particular pattern or piece; context/importance of the transferware.
- 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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