Customer Reviews

Rookwood & Industry Of Art: Women Culture & Commerce 1880-1913

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This is not a book for the average pottery collector. It contains no "values" or "prices" and has only enough illustrations to explain the author's points. It is, moreover, not written in a popular style and occasionally lapses into academic jargon. For anyone interested in the "why" or "how" of Rookwood and American art pottery in general, its role in American industrial and cultural history, and its relationship to the increasing freedom of American women, this book is without peer. It includes an excellent bibliography that goes well beyond the usual suspects.

Owen's book is an unparalleled source on Rookwood Pottery's history. Owen does an excellent job of placing the people involved with Rookwood Pottery in the greater context of their time. Unlike many collector's price guides, which tend to have minimal (and often incorrect) information, this book is meticulously researched and provides an accurate picture of Rookwood and the cultures surrounding the pottery. A must-read for anyone looking for more than surface information about early American Art Pottery.