A Collector's Guide to Nineteenth-Century Jugs

Great book

The subject is obviously too large to be encompassed in one volume or even five and the author restricts herself to the products of fifty potters. Obviously a labour of love and the true enthusiasm of the collector shines through.She acknowledges the help of various friends and authorities but the help of the publisher with a few examples of the coloured items would have been greatly appreciated. A description of the moulded jug Naomi can never do justice to the lilac and purple tints shown in one of the variations you might come across.She does list the other colourways that are available if more than one version of the jug exists. The photos are clear enough to enable identification positively in all cases but are not something to study and savour unlike the Henrywood volumes.Two hundred plus items illustrated makes a good start but would have to be considered the first part of a series by any serious collectors.The price guide that is enclosed is not of the greatest help as prices can vary so much by region and season, but on a pro-rata basis can form a rough guide.Shortcomings apart, the jug collector will feel lacking without this volume

The shortcomings of the second volume differ from the first.There is a section in the price guide for errata; I would have expected a recant of her statements concerning the scarcity of Portmeirion copies made from original moulds. I have seen dozens, own several and they would never be mistaken for victorian original relief moulded stoneware jugs mainly because the body resembles parian.Over one hundred makers, and including drwings there are three hundred and fifty item illustrated; again, only the dust jacket has any colour.As an ongoing series or a part-work I think the author might really be in the vanguard for the subject. Henrywood maybe the author of the most sumptuous volume on relief moulded jugs but the real slog of the subject will need many more examples than one book can accomodate. This is one of those titles that could have supplements in smaller form published periodically till there was enough for a new volume.Collectors of the wares will feel obliged to own this volume but might blanche at the cover price and then buy it anyway