The Longridge Collection of English Slipware and Delftware
By Leslie B. Grigsby

This outstanding publication lavishly illustrates this amazing private American collection which is regarded as one of the finest in the world.   The pieces illustrated were produced from around c.1628 to c.1770, and out of almost 550 objects, 187 are dated.   Among the broad range of shape categories are, dining and related wares, beverage wares, figures, flower containers, lighting and apothecary.  Every item is discussed in detail and is illustrated in colour with one or more views. Included is a general introduction to slipware and delftware, an illustrated detailed chronology of relevant historical figures, a ceramic glossary, profile drawings

William Greatbatch a Staffordshire Potter
by David Barker ISBN 0 951 2140 04 £45

The chance discovery of a potters tip in Fenton, Stoke on Trent lead to the recovery of many tons of ceramics discarded from the nearby factory of William Greatbatch. For the first time we are able to see the products of a single 18th century factory in its entirety, many of the finds having previously been attributed to other manufactories. This major reference work is probably the most important book written on the Staffordshire potteries for 50 years and is essential reading for all those interested in this fascinating subject.

Liverpool Printed Tiles
by Anthony Ray ISBN 0 9512140-7-1 £35

This book has brought together every known subject recorded on printed tinglazed tiles, including those by Richard Abbey. The book is designed for easy reference, with over 365 illustrations, and where possible print sources have been identified.

John and David Elers and their Contemporaries
by Gordon Elliott. ISBN 0 9533112 0 1 £18.95

John and David Elers were Dutch born silversmiths who came to England towards the end of the 17th century. They set up a pottery in London but had their main factory in Staffordshire. By using the local red clays they succeeded in producing the finest quality red stoneware, better even than the Chinese imports that they were imitating. Their production lasted probably for less than 10 years and they were bankrupt by 1700. Achieving a quality some 70 before their time the name of Elers became folklore. Their lives and the products they made, have been misinterpreted and wrongly attributed by many of the early writers on Staffordshire.

W.B. Honey was the first to positively identify the differences between Elers’ ware and the later Staffordshire redwares but Gordon Elliott has taken the subject much further with his own excavations at Bradwell Wood, practical tests with slipcasting the local clay and painstaking research into the archives. For the first time the history and products of the Elers brothers are fully discussed and compared with pieces made by their contemporaries, and the myths are finally laid to rest.

An important reference work for all those interested in the early history of ceramic production.