Instructions on How to Conduct a Search

Transferware collectors can search for a pattern by any one or a combination of the following ways:

If you know it, simply enter a pattern name. You may also enter the name of a series, e.g. “Pineapple Border Series" You may search for a key word or phrase in the pattern name if you do not know the exact name. For instance, the pattern could be entered under "Butterfly Chase" or "My Butterfly". The easiest way to find the pattern(s) you are looking for is simply to type in the word "Butterfly" in the title. Perhaps the one you are looking for is among them.

Suppose you are looking for the pattern "Tomb of Zobeida." You forget how the third word is spelled. Type in "Tomb of Zob," and click on "Search" at the bottom of the page. The pattern "Tomb of Zobeida" will come up because the database entry can be completed when you type a partial pattern name in that line. This illustrates the rule: "Less is More." The mistake many people make in searching for patterns is that they enter too much information under the search criterion "Pattern Name."

To search for any information thought to be entered as "Additional Information," you must use the search criterion "General Search." The General Search accesses information in the Pattern Name and Alternate Name as well as the Additional Information. For instance, a search for "Butterfly" in the General Search gives you not only the patterns with that word in the title, but also every instance in which the word Butterly is used in the Additional Information field to describe patterns. As of early December 2010, a General Search for Butterfly brings you 101 results.

If you enter partial information such as only part of a Pattern Name, the General Search will not complete the name as happens in your search in Pattern Name. Take our example of "Tomb of Zob." Searching for that partial title in General Search will not bring up the pattern name or, in fact, any information. Therefore, we have two different types of searches.

There are many things to be learned about patterns in the database by using General Search. Enter any word or words that you think might be discussed by the editor such as a description of the pattern or a specific shape: teapot, platter, etc. that may be found. Because there is no specific field for the description of a shape, this may be a way to access the shapes on which certain patterns were produced -- particularly in American Themes when specific patterns are found on a particular shape. If you search for a specific shape, you would also want to choose the appropriate Pattern Category (American Themes) for the search.

“Maker unknown” may be used by editors in the database when there is not enough information found for a positive attribution of a particular pattern. In these cases, names of possible makers may be listed in the Additional Information field. A maker’s initials are sometimes found on a piece that could pertain to a number of different potteries. A list of makers with those initials is often included in the Additional Information field. So, Additional Information is just that, a part of the pattern record in which more information may be found about a specific pattern. By using General Search, you can look for information the editor may have included in the Additional Information field.

Select one of the pattern categories (e.g. Advertising, Aesthetic, American Themes, etc) in the drop down menu titled "Category." You may also select a sub-category from the drop down list, but it is not necessary. If you are certain of the category to which a pattern belongs, choosing a Pattern Category will aid you in narrowing your search.

Once you have selected a pattern category, you can further refine your search by selecting from a list of border types. Or, if you are uncertain about the type of border, simply make no selection. For more results, you may search under a border type, without first choosing a Pattern Category.

Under Maker and Marks, click on “Search by Maker”. Then you have a choice. If you want a specific maker, click on Choose. A full list of all makers listed in the database will come up, and you can scroll down until you find the correct name. Click on that maker and the maker’s information will appear in the Search Page. If you choose to look at patterns with Maker Unknown, click on that choice. It is suggested that you specify a category and sub-category when searching for Maker Unknown to narrow your search results.

The search by Maker is overlooked by many members; however, it can be very helpful in many ways. If you don’t remember the pattern name, but know the maker, then search by the Maker’s name. If you know that it is a Romantic pattern, be sure and choose that pattern category to narrow your search.

Some members enjoy looking through long lists of thumbnails to find patterns they are searching for – or to just get an idea what all is in the database. If, however, you want to narrow the search, especially if there are many potters who made a pattern with the name of your pattern, you can combine the Pattern Name and Maker search. For instance, there are many patterns in the database with the title “Oriental” as well as several series with that word in the title. If your Oriental pattern is by Ridgway, you can search with “Oriental” in the Pattern Name field and then select William Ridgway to find some patterns in the database. You will have to do another search for Ridgways and Oriental because the pattern was produced over a long period of time and the database may have patterns also produced by Ridgways, a later firm.

It is important that you first select a pattern category and sub-category before you click on show Predominant Features. When the list of features appears, choose from this list by simply checking all relevant boxes. It is important that you click on the box (which places a green check inside the box) for every entry of the feature(s) for which you are searching, even if the same feature appears more than once. For example, if "Fisherman" is listed three times, select (click on the box) all three entries for "Fisherman" in order to find all patterns, regardless of pattern category, that have a fisherman as a main feature of the pattern.

If no list appears when you click on “show Predominant Features,” or if you do not find the feature(s) you are looking for in the list provided, you may follow these steps: First, key in a word describing one of the features you are looking for in the “Contains” box or field that appears: Menu: Contains: Then click on “Search” (preferred approach) Or, enter the first word of the feature you wish to find on the following field: Starts‐with: Then click on “Search.”

If you wish to choose other features to search on, repeat this step and any checkboxes you have already checked will accumulate to the right side of the page. Once you have chosen the predominant features, you can begin your search.

Once you have defined your search parameters, click on the search button and conduct your search.

If there are patterns matching any of your search criteria, the database will display a list of pattern names, as well as alternate names, and categories with a corresponding thumbnail image of the pattern (unless you have checked the box for “show list only.” The latter will produce a list of pattern names only, without other details and thumbnail images.)

Next, select a pattern from this list by clicking on the pattern name or the thumbnail image and you will be taken to the pattern record itself. It’s that easy! If you click on the thumbnail image to arrive at the pattern record, you may return to the list of patterns by clicking on the back arrow on your browser. If you arrived at the pattern record by clicking on the name of the pattern, you will need to click on the “X” in the upper right hand corner to close this window and return to the list.

If your first search attempt does not result in a match with the pattern you are looking for, click on “Return to search page to search again” or click on “New Search” and try using other search criteria or broadening your search.

Return to search page to search again.

New Search | Home Page

Transferware Collectors Club Database

If no pattern names or thumbnail images appear, the pattern has probably not yet been entered into the database.

How to read Dimensions: In most examples, when dimensions are given to describe the item displayed, they are given in following order: Length, Width, Height. If only the dimensions are given, as in this example, "9.5 x 5 x 10.25 inches", it is understood that the dimensions are 9.5 inches long x 5 inches wide x 10.25 inches high.

Search for a Pattern

SOURCE PRINT SEARCH

Transferware Collectors Club members can also search for source prints by first clicking on the blue “prints” link found at the upper right hand corner of the Pattern Search page. Look for this helpful pointer at the top of the page:

Type the information with which you wish to conduct your search using one or more of the fields provided on the Source Print Search page and click on “Search”.

If you know the print’s complete title, you may enter it in this field, however it is often more productive to simply enter a key distinguishing word found in the title. For example, instead of entering “The Durham Ox”, you can simply enter “Durham” or “Ox” and your search should produce the same results. Often, applying the search principle of “less is more” will produce good results.

Again, if you wish to search the name of the engraver or plate maker, it is recommended that you enter the last name only.

If your initial search using any of the above fields failed to produce results, you might wish to use this field as an alternative search method. Use this field by entering one or more descriptive words related to the print that the print editor might have used to provide additional information about it. One example might be to search on the words “hand stippled” or “hand colored”. However, because annotations are not always added to the record, you are less likely to get the desired results by using this field.

While this information is often found in the record, it is not recommended that you use this field for your search as sizes very greatly.

If you know the date that the print was produced, you can enter it in this field as another method of searching for a print. Be advised that it could produce many print records, if the year was a date in which many prints were produced.

It is recommended that you limit your search to one of these fields at a time. Click on the blue “I” information pop ups for additional help.

Once you have defined your search parameters, click on the search button and conduct your search.

Before abandoning your search, try using other fields and/or other relevant words. If there are prints matching any of your search criteria, the database will display the following message in green type indicating that one or more records were found:

Click on "View Results" to view the print records found. Successful search results will display both the print record and any patterns that were inspired by it.
Click on "Zoom" to enlarge the print image.
Click on a citation (bibliographic reference) and the reference information will appear. You may also click on the pattern name to display the complete pattern record or records, if there is more than one.

Search for a Source Print

BIBLIOGRAPHY SEARCH

As with the source print search, you can also go to the bibliography page by clicking on “bibliography” at the far upper right of the Pattern Search Page. See below:

Once on the bibliography page, you have the option to scroll down to find the references you seek or you may search by keying in the first letter or two of the author you wish to find and the top of the page.

Instructions on How to Conduct a Search

PATTERN SEARCH

Search for a Pattern

SOURCE PRINT SEARCH

Search for a Source Print

BIBLIOGRAPHY SEARCH

Search the Bibliography