Instructions on How to Conduct a Search

Pattern Search | Source Print Search | Bibliography Search

PATTERN SEARCH

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

• Pattern Name.  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.
• Additional Information. This is a “Google” type 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 category (American Themes) for the search.  Additionally, “Maker unknown” may be used in the database when there is not enough information found for a positive attribution. In these cases, specific potters such as Davenport or Spode can be noted in the Additional Information field in order to learn in what patterns such makers are considered as a possible maker.  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 presented in the Additional Information.  So, Additional Information is just that, a part of the pattern record in which more information may be found about a specific pattern. 
• Pattern Category. 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
• Border.  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.
• Makers. Choose from a list of makers
• Type of Mark.  Choose from a list of types of marks
• Predominant Features.  Select a pattern category and sub-category, and then choose from a list of predominant features found in the central pattern you wish to research. When you search by Predominant Features only, and you do not choose a Pattern Category and sub-category as an additional search criterion, the list will be very large and more than one entry of the same feature may appear on the list.  If this occurs, 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. 

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. 

These options are shown below:

Return to search page to search again.

OR

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:

Search for Source Prints or Bibliography resources → prints   bibliography

Next, you will be taken to the Source Print Search page as shown below:

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”. 

• Title.  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.
• Artist.  It is recommended that you only enter the last name of the artist.
• Engraver/Plate Maker.  Again, if you wish to search the name of the engraver or plate maker, it is recommended that you enter the last name only
• Annotation. 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
• Size.  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.
• Print Date.  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.

If no records are found, you will receive the following message in green type.

None found

Before abandoning your search, try using other fields and/or other releveant 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:

Found 4 records

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:

Search for Source Prints or Bibliography resources → prints   bibliography

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.

Search the Bibliography