Victoria & Albert Museum daytime talk, 21st May 2013     A. N. Wilson will discuss his novel based on Josiah Wedgwood, The Potter’s Hand, within which he evokes the world of the great eighteenth-century ceramicist, scientist and industrialist. A.N. Wilson grew up in the Potteries, where his father was the last managing director of Josiah Wedgwood and Sons. He will talk about the challenges presented by making history into fiction, and of describing the potter’s craft in the medium of literature.

Daytime Talk 14.00 – 15.00 (talk); 15.00 – 15.30 (refreshments) £12 (including tea and coffee)   To book please call 020 7942 2277. This event is open to both Members and non-Members of the V & A.        

Aubrey Toppin Papers     Genealogical material among the papers given by Aubrey Toppin to Bernard Watney have been deposited with the Society of Genealogists. Apprentice lists for various trades among the papers given by Aubrey Toppin to Bernard Watney have been deposited in the Reference Library of the City of London. All this material can be searched on request but in both cases prior notice should be given.          

The Victoria and Albert Museum     Purpose built in 2009 for the display of the Ceramics collection the newly refurbished galleries tell the story of world ceramics, with 3000 objects on display from the earliest Chinese pottery to contemporary ceramic art. The new galleries include a major new introductory gallery, presenting a 'world history' of ceramics, highlighting connections between ceramics of different cultures and periods.

Another major gallery is devoted to ceramic materials and techniques, where for the first time, the V&A has created a gallery exploring ceramic production. This incorporates a workshop area where techniques will be demonstrated and visitors will be able to make, decorate and fire their own ceramics. www.vam.ac.uk          

Raven Mason Collection, Keele University, Staffordshire       The Raven Collection of Mason ceramics is now housed within the Keele University campus. Admission is only available to groups and strictly by appointment. All enquiries should be made to Mrs Julie Kershaw: telephone 01782 584169; fax 01782 584422; j.kershaw@keele.ac.uk; www.ravenmason.org        

RECENT PUBLICATIONS              

The Limehouse Porcelain Factory     Its outputs, antecedents, and the influence of the Royal Society of London on the evolution of English Porcelain based on composition and technology. In addition to discussing the new scientific work and its impact on the chronological development of early English porcelains, documentary evidence surrounding the establishment of the Limehouse Factory is reviewed in an attempt to determine the extent of its operating period and its place within the associated technology. Evidence discovered in parish registers, land tax assessments, insurances, letters, and newspaper advertisements recorded by earlier researchers and one or two recent discoveries not yet in the ceramic literature are coordinated, presented in chronological order, and evaluated. Contact sole suppliers Reference Works, 9 Commercial Road, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 1DF, 44 (0) 1929 424423, www.referenceworks.co.uk          

Liverpool Porcelain 1756-1804
    By Maurice Hillis A profusely illustrated account of the eighteenth century Liverpool porcelain factories. A large format (A4) hardback book of 570 pages and with 1300 colour illustrations. As well as a detailed account of each factory, there are also chapters on the underglaze blue prints and their attributional significance, enamel printing on Liverpool porcelain by Sadler and others, the dated pieces, and the marketing of Liverpool porcelain, including its export to America. Further details, including how to order the book using credit card or Paypal, are on the website www.TheLiverpoolPorcelainBook.weebly.com. You can also pay by cheque made payable to Maurice Hillis at The Liverpool Porcelain Book, PO Box 3766, Chester, CH1 9XR. The price is £60+£10 P&P for delivery within the UK.          

Caughley Blue and White Patterns     Published by the Caughley Society. A complete illustrated volume of painted and printed under glaze blue patterns. 151 patterns and their borders are fully described and illustrated with nearly 500 newly commissioned digital photographs of pieces in both private and museum collections, many of which have never been published before. Available from the Caughley Society website for £72 including post and packing.          

The Cambrian Company, Swansea Pottery in London 1806-1808     Jonathan Gray. January 2012. 389 pages .278 colour & 21 black & white illustrations.Hardback. Dustwrapper. Limited edition of 750 copies. This book, based on archive material, studies the formation of the Cambrian Company by Dillwyn and Haynes and it's London warehouse at 64 Fleet Street in 1806 and its closure and sale in 1808. This book shows that in the two short years of the company some of the finest Swansea pottery wares were produced for the London market, including Lewis Weston's range of lustre wares and the superb painted items of Thomas Pardoe, and that the use of the SWANSEA impressed mark was probably introduced for this same London market. These wares, now known to have been made for the London warehouse in 1806 to 1807, have previously been dated between 1785 and 1830. The probability that the Cambrian Company sold porcelain almost a decade before that of William Billingsley's commencement in Swansea is also examined. This publication adds another important chapter in the history and development of Welsh ceramics, and shows perhaps that the Cambrian Company was the pinnacle of the Cambrian Pottery's achievements. Buy online at http://www.cambrianpottery.com/order          

The Pottery of South Wales - An illustrated Guide     Grant-Davidson W.J. Consultant Editor Oliver Fairclough. Original forward by Donald Towner. Additional material by Robert Leonard. November 2010. Limited edition of 250 numbered copies. Plus balycron leather type bound edition of 50 numbered copies. 618 pages. 240 colour illustrations and 100 black & white. Hardback.d/w. ( Special Balycron edition of 50 numbered copies in slip case £120). Standard edition of 250 numbered copies £ 70.00 ( Post free for UK orders). Wallace James Grant-Davidson, FSA, FRSA, was at the time of his death in 1999 a noted Swansea personality who had gained an international reputation as an expert in ceramics.This book was written thirty years ago, and has become almost legendary as the lost masterpiece on the wares of the South Wales potteries ( Oliver Fairclough, Keeper of Art, National Museum of Wales, Cardiff). The book has worn remarkably well during its quarter of a century in Grants study, but the reader is referred to several publications that Grant did not have available to him at the time. The original research by Grant on Potters and related employments has been greatly expanded by Robert Leonard and now numbers some 266 entries taken from St. Marys and St. Johns church registers. The illustrated catalogue of wares runs from page 125 to page 415 with the informative descriptions that include a description of the piece along with details of any mark, size, source of illustration and very often further notes referring to similar examples recorded elsewhere or providing other information on the piece or its maker. Contact sole suppliers Reference Works, 9 Commercial Road, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 1DF, 44 (0) 1929 424423, www.referenceworks.co.uk          

Dated in Blue     By Lois Roberts. Dated in Blue is a catalogue of dated underglaze blue painted earthenware, both creamware and pearlware, from 1776 to 1800 with the emphasis on illustrations. Inscribed ceramics have always been highly prized by collectors, dated examples being the most important. These commemorative pieces are not easy to find, but this Catalogue has recorded 194 examples most of which are illustrated, many with multiple views. For the first time collectors and ceramic researchers have a range of these important pieces gathered together in one publication, forming a significant research archive. The study includes sections on related pieces and reference groups. Softback, 25x21cm, 142 pages. Over 450 illustrations. Available in the UK from the author at £22 per copy + £3 p&p within UK Overseas postage; Europe please add £5 p&p. Rest of World please add £10 p&p. Cheques payable to Lois Roberts at; 71 Kidmore Road, Caversham Heights, Reading, RG4 7NQ. For multiple orders or other information please contact Lois Roberts at datedinblue@gmail.com          

Chetham and Woolley Stonewares: 1793-1821     By Colin Wyman. The original partnership of James Chetham and Richard Woolley established a factory in Longton, Staffordshire in 1795. The partnership was responsible for developing a new ceramic body - semi-transparent stoneware, properly termed Fieldspathic Stoneware. In its day, the Chetham & Woolley factory occupied a very important position in the Staffordshire ceramics industry. Until recent research carried out by Colin Wyman practically all memory of Chetham & Woolley had been lost. This book re-establishes the factory's well-deserved reputation. Hardback 134 pages. Published by the Antique Collectors Club.          

British Porcelain Sauceboats of the 18th Century     A profusely illustrated attribution guide to 18th century porcelain sauceboats by Nicholas Panes, including a history of sauces in the British context. 280 pages, hardback, with dust jacket, including more than 400 half page colour illustrations plus a 200 image thumbnail guide. Foreword by Geoffrey Godden. Postage inclusive prices are £52 UK, £55 Europe, £57 Rest of World. Available through the website www.TheSauceboatBook.com or from the author at BM Sauceboats, London WC1N 3XX.          

Duvivier, by Charlotte Jacob-Hanson     Charlotte Jacob-Hanson wrote an article in English on her Duvivier research for a Dutch journal, Vormen uit Vuur(Forms from Fire) which is published by the Nederlandse Vereniging van Vrienden van Ceramiek en Glas (Dutch Society of Friends of Ceramics and Glass). It is entitled -"Fidelle Duvivier: Tracing the Career of a Porcelain Painter," Vormen uit Vuur, Nr. 199, 2007/4, pp. 37-45. Copies can be ordered by contacting secretariaat@vormenuitvuur.nl or by writing to N V V C G, Postbus 15757, 1001 NG-Amsterdam, The Netherlands.          

The Elers: Their Clay and Firing Practices     The above paper by Dr Gordon Elliott was read to the English Ceramic Circle on 18th November 2006. Anyone wishing to obtain a copy of this paper can obtain it free of charge by sending a stamped addressed envelope to: Dr Gordon Elliott, Vallauris, Clay Lake, Endon, Staffordshire ST9 9BU Orders for the book in which the above paper appears, Aspects of Ceramic History Vol. 1 may also be had from Mr Elliott at the same address for £14.95 plus p&p within the UK of 98p.          

Catalogue of the Lady Ludlow Collection of English Porcelain at the Bowes Museum     Editor: Howard Coutts . Complete description and photographs of every piece with measurements and provenance. Distributed by Marston Book Services, PO Box 269, 160 Milton Park, Abingdon, OXON, OX14 4YN. Tel: +44 (0)1235 465500 Fax: +44 (0) 1235 5555. Orders: trade@marston.co.uk, Enquiries: trade.enq@marston.co.uk          

A Directory of British Teapots     Michael Berthoud and Richard Maskell, Micawber Publications, 64 St. Mary’s Street, Bridgnorth, Shropshire, WV16 4DR or contact Reference Works, 9 Commercial Road, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 1DF, 44 (0) 1929 424423, www.referenceworks.co.uk £35          

Welsh Ceramics in Context, Part 2     Jonathan Gray (ed.), articles on 18th century creamware and pearlware, transfer-printing processes, the Cambrian Pottery under Coles & Haynes, British ceramics in 18th c. America, early Swansea printed earthenwares, natural history sources of design on Welsh ceramics, the Bristol Pottery 1785 to 1835, Billingsley & his china artists 1796 to 1835, the development of Welsh porcelain bodies, the use of set pattern decoration at the Swansea china works, the Swansea disaspora: the later Careers of David Evans, Henry Morris and William Pollard, London and its importance in the ceramic world, Dillwyn's Etruscan ware 1848-1850, Llanelly pottery 1840-1922, the Ynsmeudwy Pottery 1845-1877, and the Dillwyn diaries 1774-1872); contact Swansea Museum, + 44 (0) 1792 653763, fax + 44 (0) 1792 652585, softback £39.50. UK postage and packing £5 per copy, overseas postage and packing £10 per copy. Swansea Museum has a limited number of Part 1 and 2 available at the special price of £55. Please contact Bernice Cardy at Swansea Museum for more details.