E.S. GERMANY AND E.S. PRUSSIA
From 1860 until 1925, the Erdmann Schlegelmilch factory in Suhl, Germany produced and sold both white ware and decorated porcelain. These pieces were marked E. S. Germany. At the same time, Erdmann Schlegelmilch's factory in Saxony, Prussia was making wares similar to those of its German counterpart. These were marked E. S. Prussia. Pieces marked R. S. Germany were produced by Erdmanns brother, Reinhold.
FLOW BLUE
Approximately ninety-five percent of all flow blue (also spelled flo blue) was made in the Staffordshire section of England. Flow Blue is characterized by a cobalt blue design that runs, or flows, into a white background. The more flowing or smudged the pattern, the more valuable the piece. Most pieces are backstamped with the name of the manufacturer, although these names are often difficult to read due to the effect of the flowing. Flow blue first enjoyed popularity in the 1820s. Oriental designs were often featured. Pieces decorated in gold are later than those without it.
FULPER
This pottery was in production in New Jersey from 1860 until 1930, when it became Stangl Pottery. The earlier pieces consisted of useful items such as stoneware bottles, jars, and churns; these are not readily found on today's market. You're more likely to spot some of Fulper's art pottery that they began making around 1910. Prized for the lovely glazes on these pieces, most are marked Fulper, RafcOy Prang, or Flemington.
GALLÉ, EMILE
Galle was a Frenchman who made furniture, glass, and pottery in the art nouveau style from 1874 until 1904 when he died. His factory continued operating, making glass and furniture until 1931 when it closed. You may have to hunt for the name Galle, as it was often incorporated into the design on a piece. Galle glass is highly treasured.
GRUEBY
From 1897 until 1920, the Grueby Faience Company produced tiles, art pottery, and garden statuary. The factory, in Boston, Massachusetts, perfected a green matte glaze that became Grueby's hallmark until it was copied by several other art potters. Grueby's high quality wares are marked Grueby Faience Co.; Grueby Pottery, USA; or Grueby, Boston, Mass., often in a circle with a flower inside.
HEISEY GLASS
From 1896 until 1957, in Newark, Ohio, A.H. Heisey and Company produced glass pieces in many designs and patterns. Beginning in 1901, Heisey marked items either with an H in a diamond, or with a paper label. The mark is often on the stem of a glass, near the spout of a pitcher, or hidden in some other manner. In 1960, three years after Heisey closed its doors, the Imperial Glass Corporation obtained the rights to some of the Heisey molds. From that time until 1968, Imperial Glass Corporation used the familiar H in a diamond mark.
INDIAN TREE
Used on china since the late 1800s, this pattern depicts a scene with flowers and the branch of a crooked tree. It's very colorful, incorporating an array of hues from orange through blue. China with older Indian Tree decorations are desirable, but the newer pieces are'nt worth very much. Look for signs of wear.
KOCH PLATES
In the early 1900s, plates decorated with birds, animals, vegetables, and/or fruits were produced in Germany. The name Koch is signed on the front of these plates, making them easy to identify.
LALIQUE GLASS
In 1909 the talented designer Rene Lalique opened a glassworks in France. Produced of high quality, his lead-based glass objects were acclaimed throughout the world by 1930. Most of the perfume bottles, vases, plates, paperweights, statues, etc., are acid-etched. Lalique glass is still made today, but the pieces that are most highly prized are marked R. Lalique, or R. Lalique, France and were made before his death in 1945 at which time the R was dropped.
LIMOGES PORCELAIN
Limoges, France is the site of many porcelain factories because of the high quality of clay available there. From the mid-1800s until the present, all manner of items from dinnerware to vases and humidors to lamps have been created there. Each factory has its own marks, most of which incorporate the word Limoges. Often you'll find two marks—one from the factory where the white ware was made and another from the factory where the piece was decorated. Many Limoges items were sold as blanks and decorated by housewives and hobbyists. Pieces hand-painted in the factory are worth more than either transfer pieces or those decorated by an amateur. An artist's signature and date further enhance a piece. There are lists of Limoges marks that will acquaint you with the various dates when they were used.
LOCKE ART
This etched glass was made during the late 1800s and early 1900s by Joseph Locke in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Most of his pieces are marked either Joseph Locke, Jo Locke, or Locke Art You may have to hunt for the mark, as it was usually hidden in the pattern of the glass.
LUSTER WARE
Although lusterware has been made since the 1500s, the examples you're apt to run across at flea markets and auctions were produced from the late 1800s until the present. This shiny metallic finish comes in copper, silver, gold, and pink and is often used in combination with flowers, scenes, or geometric designs.
MAJOLICA
Much of this usually highly colorful pottery, which is glazed with a tin enamel, isn't marked. The Majolica that we know today and that you're liable to encounter at auctions, flea markets, and occasional garage sales dates from the mid-1800s through the 1930s, although some is still being made. It's safe for the novice to stick to pieces that bear the backstamps Etruscan, Avalon, or Clifton. You may find plates, pitchers, umbrella stands, tea sets, and a number of other items made from Majolica. The soft clay from which Majolica was fashioned made it quite vulnerable, and many of the older, more desirable pieces have a chip here or there. Majolica is one of the few categories of antiques in which a damaged piece is still quite valuable. Of course, a mint piece is better.
MARBLEHEAD POTTERY
This pottery was developed as occupational therapy for patients in a hospital in Marblehead, Massachusetts, around the turn of the century. The baskets, bowls, tiles, vases, etc., mostly decorated with marine designs, were so well accepted that within two years the pottery separated from the hospital. The factory continued until the mid-19308 when it was closed. Marblehead pottery is highly prized. It's marked with a stylized sailing ship flanked by an M and a P and enclosed in a circle.
MONMOUTH POTTERY
Cookie jars, vases, pitchers, dishes, and many other useful items were produced in Illinois by the Monmouth Pottery Company, starting in 1892. In 1906 the Western Stoneware Company incorporated Monmouth. The wares made before 1930 are sought. These mostly moderately priced items are marked with a maple leaf.
NEWCOMB POTTERY
This pottery, started by students at Newcomb College in New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 1800s, produced art pottery until the 1940s. Most pieces had a matte finish and an incised decoration. It is highly prized and easily recognizable by the initials NC. Many pieces were initialed by the artists who designed them.
NIPPON PORCELAIN
From 1891 until 1921, many Japanese companies marked their porcelain with the word Nippon, meaning Japan. This was used in conjunction with a great many other marks that identified the individual factories. Several forgeries of these marks have been found in recent years. The maple leaf mark and the rising sun mark are two that have been used on newer items. But the recent marks are easy to identify if you familiarize yourself with the original rising sun and maple leaf marks. After 1921, the word Japan replaced Nippon.
NORTHWOOD
With factories in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Wheeling, West Virginia, Harry Northwood produced many types of glass from 1902 until his death in 1923 when his factories closed. Although the name Northwood is usually associated with carnival glass, the Harry Northwood Glass Company also produced goofus glass (a glass with the pattern