American Pottery & Porcelain (Antique Hunter's Guides) (Paperback)

~ William C., Jr. Ketchum (Author), Elizabeth Von Habsburg (Author), Schecter Me Sun Lee (Photographer) "Large vessel with sides that slope in from base to shaped shoulder..." (more)
Key Phrases: clear alkaline glaze, decorated with cobalt blue, lower body tapers, New York, New Jersey, New England (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This visual antique reference guide has all the information readers need to identify and appraise American pottery and porcelain -- from the earliest rough vessels of the mid-eighteenth century to the Fiestaware of the mid-twentieth century.

Each piece -- 367 in all -- is photographed in full color and accompanied by an in-depth description of the piece, origin and date of manufacture, relationship to similar pieces and rarity and hints for collectors, helping readers spot potentially valuable heirlooms stashed at home or at garage sales, consignment stores and flea markets.

From the Publisher

Also available in this series: THE ANTIQUE HUNTER'S GUIDE TO AMERICAN FURNITURE: TABLES, CHAIRS, SOFAS, and BEDS, THE ANTIQUE HUNTER'S GUIDE TO AMERICAN FURNITURE: CHEST CUPBOARDS, DESKS & OTHER PIECES, and THE ANTIQUE HUNTER'S GUIDE TO AMERICAN SILVER & PEWTER

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Product Details

• Paperback: 478 pages
• Publisher: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers; Revised edition (May 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579121098
• ISBN-13: 978-1579121099
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 4.8 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #685,569 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At this price, WELL WORTH IT!, June 15, 2002

By	"mominich" (APO, AE USA) - See all my reviews

Fold your standard sheet of paper in half and that's about the size of this book. -So, when I first saw it I thought I'd be disappointed... BUT I was pleasantly surprised! -It starts off with a brief intro to the different types of pottery (redware, stoneware, yellowware, ironstone,) and porcelain and a history of how they were/are made. It goes on to a visual key which has silhouette figures of items and is helpful to identify what item it is that you have. ...was that a coffeepot or a teapot? :o) After you've id'd your object, you can find the section in the book that corresponds and there you will find a color photo of one example and all sorts of helpful info. on your item. -A short description of what the typical physical size and shape would be, areas where the items were made, comments on typical uses, and hints on what you should avoid/look for. The price guide in the back gives you a ballpark figure of value.
this book does not focus on any specific brands, rather highlights some of the big name makers and brands that you may want to watch for. For being a general guide, I think this is as good as it gets. I found it superior to any of the Millers, Kovels series. -It actually teaches you what to look for, as opposed to other books which just inform you of what you already have. It is a great reference for collectors and resellers. Small enough to take with you to every auction and yard sale!