Research & Learning

The Transferware Engraver

Introducing a new book that details the process of engraving a transferware pattern on to a copper-plate. This 272-page soft-back book covers a ten-year quest by the author who recorded the engraving of a new pattern from start to finish, with every line cut and every dot punched throughout its completion. The author, Richard visited an ex-Spode engraver at his house in Stoke-on-Trent every couple of weeks throughout the ten-year period and recorded in great depth, the work that was undertaken. This started with a visit to the coppersmith to buy a copper-plate and ended at Portmeirion with the production of a limited edition 10” dinner plate.

Engraving, through a seven-year apprenticeship, was a skill learnt through observational learning, transmitted from master to apprentice. There were no guide books or instructional manuals, thus making the recording of these skills so important. Richard took it upon himself to fully document this amazing and often overlooked process before it is too late and the skills are lost forever.

The 9” x 6”, full-color book details the tools, the techniques and the processes before the full documentation of the engraving. Whilst not directly related to the engraving process, the author decided to use the new engraving to make a limited-edition ceramic at the Portmeirion factory in Stoke-on-Trent. These fifty ceramic plates are available as an optional purchase.

TCC members will get a 50% discount on the book for the first three months, therefore: Until February the 14th, 2026 the book will be £12.50 (UK shipping £5, International £12, including tariffs)

Ceramic is £25 (UK shipping £8, International £30, both with a book)

Regular price after that date and to non-TCC members will be £25 for the book

Please email Richard at blueandwhite@btinternet.com for further details.

INDIA ON TRANSFERWARE, Supplement to a Compendium of Indian Scenes on Transferware 5/28/25

The ink was hardly dry on India on Transferware at its publication in October 2009 before additional patterns and better images of some objects started showing up. I have been accumulating this new information ever since and now feel that I have enough stored up to issue this supplement. Since it is appearing in digital format, I will be able to update it as more material shows up. The new information which follows is set out in the same order as the chapters in the book so that readers can easily relate the information in the supplement to the original. Readers are reminded that all the patterns in both the book and supplement can be searched in the Transferware Collectors Club database of patterns and sources. I have decided not to sell this supplement but simply to issue it in .pdf format for anyone to download, with the caveat that there may be further revisions. The original book is still available on Amazon or through me directly. My email address is msack@michaelsack.com. 

Historical Guide to Advertising Pot Lids

Advertising pot lids can be found from many countries particularly English-speaking nations and are collected by a dedicated group of enthusiasts across the world. These fascinating transfer-printed ceramic containers often feature inventive designs as well as details of the individuals and companies that sold them. They were used to retail commodities such as tooth paste, cold cream, food pastes, hair preparations, ointments & salves, and a range of other products. The vast majority were originally thrown away after a single use and have been re-discovered over the past 50 years or so from the excavation of former rubbish tips.

It has taken 11 years to compile this book, which is the result of contributions from hundreds of collectors from around the globe. It aims to catalogue, as far as possible, all UK and Irish advertising pot lids that were used broadly between 1830 and 1930, as well as providing a brief overview of examples that were used in other countries.

This guide records over 8,500 different examples, features over 7,500 images and provides trading details on over 600 businesses that used them. It is the authors’ intention to continue cataloguing examples not featured and publish a supplement to this book when feasible.

Printing supported by a TCC Paul and Gladys Richards Charitable Foundation Research Program grant.

Pricing:
Standard - £120 (hard-cover but very limited availability; priority to contributors); £70 soft-cover.

TCC Members - £100 (hard-cover) and £60 (soft-cover)

Contact seller for shipping estimate / cost  jimlayden1@gmail.com

Also available: Historical Guide to Advertising Pot Lids, Update including a Guide to Beauty Pots