Group of Antique Anna Pottery, Kirkpatrick Brothers, Anna, Illinois

Mark discusses a very fine selection of Anna Pottery stoneware we will be selling as part of our March 2, 2013 stoneware & redware pottery auction.

Miniature Antique New York State Stoneware Incised Bird Churn

Mark talks about a very fine example of antique New York stoneware--a miniature churn with an incised bird and floral motif. It will be sold as part of our March 2, 2013 stoneware auction.

Antique Shenandoah Valley / Strasburg, Virginia Multi-Glazed Redware Pottery

Mark discusses the well-known and celebrated multi-colored redware (earthenware pottery) of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley--specifically produced by the Bell and Eberly families in Strasburg around the end of the 19th century. Referred to colloquially as "Multi-Glaze," these particular examples will be sold as part of our March 2, 2013 stoneware & redware auction.

John Burger (Rochester, NY) Antique Stoneware Water Cooler

Mark talks about a rare water cooler by esteemed Rochester, New York, stoneware potter John Burger, and discusses why Burger is considered one of the very best decorators American stoneware had to offer. This cooler will be sold as part of our March 2, 2013 stoneware and redware pottery auction.

Dave "the Slave" Drake (Edgefield, SC) 1857 Signed Stoneware Jar

Mark discusses a signed and dated stoneware jar by renowned enslaved African-American potter David Drake, often referred to as "Dave the Slave." This fresh-to-the-market, previously undocumented example will be sold as part of our March 2, 2013 stoneware auction.

Antique New Jersey Stoneware Jar / Crock with Stamped Woman Design

Mark talks about perhaps the finest example of this beloved group of New Jersey stoneware with impressed designs--an unusually small jar with a fine design of a woman's profile, which we have never seen before. It will be sold as part of our March 2, 2013 stoneware & redware pottery auction.

Solomon Bell (Strasburg, Virginia) Antique Redware Pottery Spaniel

Mark discusses one of the rarest examples of Solomon Bell's work to be sold in some time, a spaniel dog made in the vein of Staffordshire Cavalier King Charles spaniels. As an American redware form, these are more often associated with Solomon's brother, John Bell, who potted in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. This exceptional example of Shenandoah Valley pottery, inscribed in Solomon's own hand and also stamped with a rare version of his maker's mark, will be sold as part of our important March 2, 2013 stoneware and redware pottery auction.

Clarkson Crolius, New York City, Stoneware Pottery Pitcher, circa 1810

Mark talks about one of the finest examples of revered potter Clarkson Crolius's work to be sold at auction in quite some time: a large-sized pitcher with incised foliate design. The most famous of the renowned Manhattan potters, Crolius's contemporaries included Thomas W. Commeraw and John Remmey III. This pitcher will be sold on March 2, 2013 as part of our first stoneware auction of the year.

Anthony W. Baecher Antique Redware Dog Figures

Mark discusses two redware pottery dog figures attributable to master potter Anthony Baecher (1824-1889)--a German immigrant potter who worked in Adams County, Pennsylvania, Winchester, Virginia, and Thurmont, Maryland. These dogs are attributed to Baecher (sometimes spelled Bacher) based on other examples. These dogs will be sold as part of our important March 2, 2013 stoneware & redware pottery auction. To view the remarkable dog and goat figures Mark references in the video, please visit http://museumcollection.winterthur.org/single-record.php?recid=1967.1886 and http://www.folkartmuseum.org/?p=folk&t=images&id=4049.

Antique Maysville, Kentucky Stoneware Churn, Isaac Thomas 1837

Luke talks about an important example of Kentucky stoneware that we will be selling on March 2, 2013 as part of our first stoneware & redware auction of the year: an eight-gallon I. THOMAS church, dated twice 1837 and inscribed "Kentucky." For more info on Kentucky stoneware, see Luke's video on the Evan G. Ricketts pitcher we sold on November 3, 2012 for $19,550.

Henry Remmey (Baltimore) Stoneware, 1812-1829

Luke discusses the work of Henry Remmey in Baltimore, using two examples of his work we will be selling on March 2, 2013 as part of our first antique American stoneware auction of the year. Luke's groundbreaking 2004 article on Remmey was the first to flesh out the Baltimore years of this prolific potter, as well as the long-sought origin of "H. MYERS" stoneware--discussed in this video. Luke's information on H. Remmey will be part of our important lecture to be held on March 1 in Sparks, Maryland ("Inferior to None: The Remmeys, First Family of American Stoneware").

Shenandoah Valley Pottery Stoneware Ring Flask, Mt. Crawford, Virginia

Mark talks about a very rare Shenandoah Valley pottery ring flask, attributed to James Shinnick (a prolific stoneware potter who worked in various locations), during his time in Mt. Crawford, Virginia. ( For more on Shinnick see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAHg1EQ28R0 ) This is only the second decorated Virginia stoneware ring flask we have ever seen, and the first of Shenandoah Valley origin. It will be sold on March 2, 2013 as part of our important first stoneware & redware pottery auction of the year.

Antique Swank Pottery (Johnstown, PA) Stoneware Presentation Bank

Brandt discusses an exceptional piece of southwestern Pennsylvania stoneware: a bank made at the Swank pottery in Johnstown, made for a local pastor. ( You can read more about Reverend L.M. Boyer at

Important Thomas Commeraw Stoneware Jar, circa 1800

Brandt talks about an interesting piece of Thomas Commeraw's work: a transitional example between his earlier freehand-incised pottery and his later work adorned with impressed crescents and other designs. For those unfamiliar with Commeraw, he was a free African American who potted on New York's Lower East Side from around 1796-1820. Brandt is completing a book on Commeraw's remarkable life and work, and you can read more about it at http://www.commeraw.com . This example will be sold on March 2, 2013 as part of our important early 2013 antique American stoneware & redware pottery auction.

Important Antique Stoneware Pitcher Excavated in Philadelphia

Luke talks about an American stoneware pitcher dug out of a Philadelphia privy that has helped revolutionize our understanding of stoneware production in the city. These stoneware pieces with coggled designs are always attributed to Old Bridge, New Jersey, but the discovery of this piece very near Branch Green s well-known (but fairly mysterious) stoneware pottery on Second Street basically affirms that some of the extant examples are actually of Philadelphia origin. It will be sold on March 2, 2013 as part of our first stoneware & redware pottery auction of the year.

Important Antique Ohio Stoneware Inkstand

Brandt discusses a remarkable, exceedingly rare (and complete) stoneware inkstand bearing the inscription OHIO and an 1829 date. Almost unheard-of in American stoneware, this is one of the more important pieces of antique utilitarian Ohio pottery to surface in some time. It will be sold as part of our first stoneware & redware pottery auction of 2013, to be held March 2.

Early Albany, New York, Stoneware (Paul Cushman and the Boynton Brothers)

Mark discusses three early Albany stoneware pieces we will be selling on March 2, 2013, as part of our first stoneware & redware auction of the year: an excellent small-sized keg or rundlet, probably made by Jonah or Calvin Boynton, as well as two Paul Cushman examples. Besides a squat-shaped jar bearing coggled designs, one features the highly desirable and rare HALF A MILE WEST OF ALBANY GOAL (sic for GAOL / jail]) mark.

Monumental Antique Stoneware Bank w/ Applied Grapes

Luke discusses a very large-sized American stoneware bank--the largest we have ever seen. Clearly of Ohio manufacture, this example will be sold as part of our important early 2013 auction of antique American stoneware & redware pottery, to be held March 2.

November 3, 2012 Stoneware & Redware Pottery Auction Gallery Walk

A quick "gallery walk" / tour of our gallery, the 1841 Gorsuch Barn in Sparks, Maryland, before our November 3, 2012 stoneware & redware pottery auction. The auction takes place at 10am (eastern time) on Saturday, November 3. A preview is held on Friday, November 2, from 1-6pm, and doors open at 8am on Saturday, before the sale. This auction features around 500 lots of antique American pottery.

Great Road Pottery Earthenware Jar (Tennessee / Virginia)

Mark discusses a very fine example of pottery by the Great Road potters of eastern Tennessee and southwest Virginia. This remarkable piece of Southern pottery will be sold as part of our November 3, 2012 stoneware & redware auction.

Circa 1750 New Jersey Stoneware Jar, Kemple Pottery, Ringoes, NJ

Mark discusses an important new discovery in American utilitarian ceramics: a very early colonial American stoneware jar made by the Kemple family in Ringoes, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. It will be sold as part of our November 3, 2012 stoneware auction.

Anna Pottery (Anna, Illinois) Abraham Lincoln "Death Mask"

Mark talks about a remarkable example of American pottery: a salt-glazed stoneware Abraham Lincoln head signed "Anna Pottery / 1877." Made by the Kirkpatrick Bros. in Anna, Illinois, these very rare pieces are referred to as Lincoln "Death Masks," but are more likely modeled after a living President Lincoln. This will be sold as part of our November 3, 2012 stoneware auction.

Antique Stoneware Folk Art Snake Jug, Anna Pottery (Illinois) or Texarkana Pottery (Arkansas)

Mark talks about an important American stoneware temperance jug. Snake jugs play off the concept of the evils of alcohol consumption, are considered tour-de-forces of American folk art. This one would usually be attributed to Anna Pottery (the Kirkpatrick Brothers of Anna, Illinois), but various aspects point to the related Texarkana Pottery of Texarkana, Arkansas. This will be offered as part of our November 3, 2012 stoneware auction.

Antique New York Stoneware St. Patrick's Day 1808 Jug

Mark discusses a remarkable example of early American stoneware, probably made in Manhattan, bearing an elaborate incised bird and dated March 17, 1808 (St. Patrick's Day). One of the most important pieces of New York City stoneware to surface in recent years, it will be offered as part of our November 3, 2012 stoneware auction.

Earliest Dated Example of Kentucky Stoneware, 1833

Luke discusses a recently-discovered, very important example of Kentucky stoneware, made by Evan G. Ricketts in Maysville, dated July 3, 1833. This pitcher will be sold as part of our Fall 2012 antique American stoneware and redware auction, to be held November 3, 2012.

Anna Pottery Aquarium Castle (Kirkpatrick Bros., Anna, Illinois)

Mark talks about an extremely rare and fine, large-sized aquarium castle made by Anna Pottery in Anna, Illinois, circa 1875. A coveted form in American stoneware, this is one of the finest known, and will be sold as part of our November 3, 2012 stoneware auction.

Early Baltimore Stoneware Birds Crock

Luke discusses a remarkable Baltimore stoneware discovery: a circa late 1810's stoneware jar bearing the cobalt design of five birds in a vine. Clearly influenced by the work of fellow Baltimore potter Henry Remmey, it was probably made by Elisha Parr. This exceptionally decorated example will be sold as part of our November 3, 2012 stoneware and redware auction.

Alexandria, Virginia, Antique Stoneware Primer

Mark discusses the progression of Alexandria stoneware from around 1820 until the middle of the century--using four Alexandria examples (John Swann, Hugh Smith, Hugh Charles Smith, B.C. Milburn) and one Washington jar (John Walker) to do so. In particular, Mark describes what has become known as the typical Alexandria design, and its use over the decades. Three of these pieces will be sold as part of our November 3, 2012 stoneware auction.

Anna Pottery Snake Temperance Jug, circa 1875

Mark talks about one of the finest examples of Anna Pottery--made by the Kirkpatrick Brothers (Wallace & Cornwall K.) in Anna, Illinois--we have ever handled. This "temperance jug"--meant to play off the concept of the evils of alcohol--is one of a group of rare, elaborate jugs featuring people being tormented by frightening creatures, particularly snakes. It will be sold as part of our July 21, 2012 stoneware & redware pottery auction.

Antique Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, Stoneware Pottery: Henry Glazier and His Peers

Brandt talks about the stoneware potters of Huntingdon County, PA--between Harrisburg and Altoona. With a distinct style of their own, chief amongst these potters was Henry Glazier--an extraordinary example of whose work we will be selling in our July 21, 2012 American Stoneware & Redware Auction.

Thomas Commeraw Early COERLEARS HOOK (NYC) 18th Century Stoneware Jar

Brandt discusses one of the finest examples of African-American New York City potter Thomas Commeraw's work to have surfaced in recent years: a circa late 1790's stoneware pottery jar bearing his early maker's mark, and decorated with a bright blue, incised freehand design. Brandt's book on Commeraw will be completed soon. This particular example will be selling as part of our exciting Summer 2012 Stoneware & Redware Auction, to be held July 21.

Antique Southwestern Pennsylvania Stoneware Bank

Banks are amongst the rarest of all American stoneware forms, and southwestern Pennsylvania was no exception. Mark discusses a profusely-decorated example we will be selling on July 21, 2012, as part of our Summer 2012 Antique Stoneware & Redware Pottery auction.

Chester County, Pennsylvania Stoneware Jar Marked R.J. GRIER (Extremely Rare)

Brandt talks about Ralph J. Grier; his family's pottery in East Nottingham (near Oxford), Pennsylvania; and the signed Grier jar we will be selling on July 21, 2012, as part of our Summer 2012 Antique Stoneware & Redware Pottery auction. Though a very prolific potter whose attributable work shows up with regularity in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware, Grier's maker's mark is extremely rare.

Anthony Baecher Redware Pottery Sugar Bowl (Shenandoah Valley of VA)

Anthony W. Bacher / Baecher was one of the most talented and intricate of all of the Shenandoah Valley potters, producing pottery most notably in Winchester, Virginia. Mark discusses what is perhaps the finest sugar bowl of his in existence. It will be sold as part of our July 2012 stoneware & redware auction.

Antique Alexandria, Virginia, Stoneware Pottery

Brandt discusses Alexandria stoneware in general, and in particular James Shinnick--a basically unknown potter who apprenticed in Baltimore before working in Alexandria and other Virginia locales. A pitcher made at merchant Hugh C. Smith's pottery on Wilkes Street is featured in this video; it was probably made by Shinnick, and will be sold as part of our March 3, 2012 auction.

Early Antique American New York City / New Jersey Stoneware Jar, circa 1750

Brandt discusses what is one of the more important early American stoneware discoveries of the last few decades: one of the earliest and most heavily-decorated intact pieces of American stoneware. Very possibly the earliest example of New York City stoneware known, it was made in Manhattan by the Crolius and Remmey potters, or by one of their associates in New Jersey. This jar will be sold on March 3, 2012 as part of our Landmark March 2012 Stoneware & Redware Auction.

Cowden & Wilcox (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) Stoneware

Mark discusses antique stoneware pottery made by John Cowden & Isaac Wilcox in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, circa 1860's and beyond. These three examples will be sold as part of our March 3, 2012 stoneware auction.

Antique Presentation Stoneware of Eastern and Western Pennsylvania

Brandt talks about two examples of stoneware coincidentally both made for women or girls named Hannah, and uses it as an opportunity to discuss both presentation stoneware, as well as the fundamental difference between stoneware made in the eastern and western parts of the state of Pennsylvania. These two pieces will be sold on March 3, 2012.

Early Manhattan "Demon Rum" Jug

Brandt talks about an early New York stoneware jug bearing a double devil and goat design, and discusses the often playful take on temperance employed by American stoneware potters. Featured in the landmark book (and accompanying exhibit) "American Fancy" by Sumpter Priddy, this jug will be sold as part of our March 3, 2012 auction.

Remmey Family Stoneware Pottery of Philadelphia, NYC, and Baltimore

Luke uses two examples of antique stoneware made by Henry H. Remmey in Philadelphia, PA to discuss the Remmey family of potters as a whole. Two very high quality pieces that illustrate what the Remmeys were capable of, these particular examples are being sold as part of our March 3, 2012 auction.

Exceptional Antique Stoneware Horse Crock

Mark discusses a Fort Edward, New York, stoneware crock with one of the more elaborate figural designs you will see on American stoneware. To be sold March 3, 2012.

Antique Stoneware Heart-Shaped Inkstand

Mark displays and discusses what is by far one of the most beloved--and rarest--forms in all of American stoneware: the heart-shaped inkstand. This example--one of the finest examples of stoneware to surface in years--will be sold on March 3, 2012.

Shenandoah Valley of Virginia Stoneware Face Pitcher (Samuel Bell)

Mark talks about the only known Shenandoah Valley example of this rare, beloved American stoneware form: the face vessel. Definitely made in Winchester or Strasburg, Virginia, this example is attributed to Samuel Bell based on the distinct decoration found on signed S. Bell examples. It will be sold as part of our March 3, 2012 stoneware and redware auction.

New York Stoneware Presentation Flower Pot / Urn

Mark talks about an elaborately-decorated, large-sized flower pot made by William E. Warner in West Troy (now Watervliet), New York. This outstanding example of antique New York stoneware will be sold in our March 3, 2012 auction.

Antique New York Stoneware Four-Handled Jug

Mark discusses the diminutive, four-handled stoneware jug we will be selling as part of our March 3, 2012 auction. A profusely-decorated rare form in a desirable size, it was made in New York State.

Antique Stoneware People Crocks of West Virginia and Southwestern PA

Mark talks about the famous "People Crocks" in general, but specifically the two examples (one Morgantown, WV, one Uniontown, PA) we will be selling on March 3, 2012.

Philadelphia Stoneware Liberty Bell Mug, circa 1876

Brandt talks about the original research he's done on Aaron Radley (an Albany, NY-born stoneware potter who moved to Philadelphia and competed against the Remmeys) and the mug Radley made--the only known example of his work, an elaborate stoneware Liberty Bell mug made for a local tavern keeper (to be sold March 3, 2012).

David Parr Pottery (Baltimore, MD Stoneware Potter, circa 1812-32)

Luke talks about David Parr, one of the most influential American stoneware potters, and one most collectors have probably never heard of.

Remmey (Philadelphia, PA) Stoneware Bird Bank

Luke discusses the significant incised stoneware bank we will be selling as part of our March 3, 2012 auction. Made by the Remmey family in Philadelphia and dated 1874, it was probably made by the very prolific Henry Harrison Remmey.