May Feature Articles

American Historical Transferware Treasures at the Smithsonian, by Peggy Sutor, et al

On Friday, October 21, 2011, TCC members had the fantastic opportunity to view selected items from the Ellouise Baker Larsen Collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, DC. The collection, much more extensive than the 30 pieces we were able to view, was donated by Larsen in 1962. It is rarely on public view. Those fortunate enough to view the collection were attendees of the four-day Annual TCC Conference, which was held in Baltimore. Read the article.

Antislavery Ceramics

Although only one and a quarter inches in diameter, the medallion’s image of a kneeling slave in chains imploring “Am I Not a Man and a Brother” was the first, most common, and most effective anti-slavery image created by the abolition movement. The Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade chose it for its seal, and Benjamin Franklin declared that the medallion’s effectiveness in America was “equal to that of the best written Pamphlet, in procuring favour to those oppressed People.” Read more.