Customer Reviews

Comprehensively Clarice Cliff

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I find this book to be an incredibly valuable and easy to use reference to Clarice Cliff and Wilkinson pottery. It is 'comprehensive' and so far I haven't been stumped by a pattern that I couldn't find an example of in the book. The background information is comprehensive as well and I can now put shapes and styles into an overall perspective easily without having to browse through 20 difference catalogues and books. In the last 12 years I have purchased every book on Clarice Cliff that I could and they pale into insignificance in comparison with this. The information is not a repeat of other guides available and, in my opinion, the indexing and browsing references are so good that this book should win an award. I eagerly await any further publications by this author. I also think that the price for this book was very reasonable and about half what other references of the same calibre cost.

I have recently purchased this book as when I wrote my first review I was a bookshop browser.I agree with other writers that this book is not comprehensive as to listing all patterns.But hey that is easily fixed up with a few more pictures.However in terms of what is attempts to do..listing shapes and patterns it does a splendid job.Those reviewers that compare this with thin guides to Queen Clarice must be kidding themselves...this book is a mammoth effort and a true labour of love. There is no other book like it in terms of its scale and quality. It happily puts Clarice's work into the context of the contemporary and later production of the Wilkinson factory. Collectors do yourself a favour and buy this buy..especially now that's its so cheap on Amazon.The photos are terrific and are much better than looking at the mini versions in the Christies catalogue.This a book that definetly needs more applause than it has received and is not to be overlooked by the educated or about to be educated collector!!

I was really excited by the prospect of a comprehensive book on Clarice Cliff's patterns,shapes etc.
But what a dissapointment!
While there are some interesting extracts from the archives on wilkinsons patterns the information is sketchy to say the least.
It looks like the book sets out to divide collectors by trying to devalue certain patterns,but does not provide any evidence to back up its findings.
Ive picked up more info on Clarice picking up 2nd hand auction catalogues from my local flea market!
In a word complete rubbish DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY!

This book is huge, heavy and looks like a great source of information on Clarice Cliff. But there is a BIG problem - the title is wrong! It is not a "comprehensive" listing of her patterns and shapes as the cover implies, but those produced by the A J Wilkinson factory between 1910 and 1964. It has endless pages of pottery by John Butler a little known designer who worked at the factory from 1910-1930, and also obscure floral patterns by Clarice Cliff's sister Dolly. It also includes many printed patterns whereas every Clarice collector seeks her hand-painted ware. A collector who knows more about this than I do went through the patterns and found 40% of those listed are not by Clarice herself. Also, nearly all the images were supplied by an auction house, so it looks just like an auction catlogue, NOT an art pottery book. I have nearly all the Clarice Cliff books and this was the most expensive and least informative.

One of the most definitive pictorial and historical records packaged in a very handsome, large volume.

I am a US collector of Clarice Cliff and was very much looking forward to this book. The positive: you can find almost any pattern and the dates they were designed and fired. If you need to find a pattern or shape, it should be in this book
The negative: Difficult to discerne the valuable from the run-of-the mill. The color photos are excellent and the application of paint comes alive on many of the objects. There is some controversy whether all the designs listed are really Clarice's. But after reading so many books about her and since she was so reticent about giving information, it is more difficult to argue who designed what and when.
I use the book as a reference, not as a guide for what is the collectible. Since I believe CC's work is very hard to find in the states, it does serve as large enough range if I should ever come across a piece I must have!

This is an extraordinary achievement, leaving for dead most of the previous publications on Clarice Cliff. The research is the culmination of years of research through the Wilkinson archives, the pictures are sumptuous, and there is clear and logical indexing and referencing, which is often a downfall of books on collectibles. The flow-chart on page 19 is an invaluable tool for identification.

The most comprehensive and definative publication on Clarice Cliff. Fantastic visuals and descriptions. If you buy one book this is it.

When I first got the book, I thought it was the ultimate, but after finally getting through it and analyzing it I find there are about 40 missing designs. I guess it is still pretty but NOT the ultimate.

Im afraid I would have to agree with Barry and Tony
Ill researched,poorly laid out and an expensive attempt to rip off those new to collecting!
Shame.