Antique & Vintage Resources

Antique Museums & Collections

Explore the world’s foremost library on glass and glassmaking. Delve into our collections of articles, multimedia, and virtual books all about glass. This is your resource for exploring various topics in glass: delve deeper with this collection of articles, multimedia, and virtual books all about glass. Content is frequently added to the area, so check back for new items.

Smithsonian Libraries and Archives

The network of 21 specialized research libraries that make up the Smithsonian Libraries provide the Institution’s museums and research centers with resources and services that are as diverse and deep as the collections, exhibits, and scholarship they support. They truly span the range of scientific and cultural pursuits of humanity from aerospace, anthropology, and art history to business history and botany, cultural history, design, philately, zoology, and much, much more.

Digital & Downloadable Books

Adressbuch der keramischen industrie (Address book of the ceramic industry)

Adressbuch der keramischen industrie enthaltend die firmen der fabriken für porzellan, steingut, favence, majolika ... in Deutschland und Oesterreich-Ungarn, mit den fabrikmarken ( Address book of the ceramic industry containing the companies of the factories for porcelain, earthenware, faience, majolica ... in Germany and Austria-Hungary, with the factory brands )

Fenton Fanatics – Catalogs (1950 – 2011) & Databases

This site is dedicated to the Fenton collector and maintained by fellow Fenton Fanatics. Founded in 1999 by John Gager with the help of many Fenton Fans, the purpose of the site continues to be a community portal for all things Fenton.

Handbook of Marks on Pottery & Porcelain

"This volume supplies a distinct want. Mr. Burton is a practical potter, and the author of numerous works on the history of pottery and porcelain. Mr. Hobson is on the British Museum staff, and there are few men with greater chances of seeing and studying examples of all periods of pottery. The authors, therefore, speak with authority on subjects connected with ceramics, and although they style it a “reliable pocket volume,” it is really a valuable and interesting addition to the bookshelves of collectors and students of pottery. Thousands of authentic marks will, of course, not be found in the volume, but those chosen are, on the whole, thoroughly representative, and the elaborate indices make the work of reference easy." -- Published: 1912; Authors: W. Burton, R. L. Hobson; Page count: 212

Hooked on Carnival (Glass)

We will change the way you think about carnival glass. We provide our subscribers with the best information, through education, newsletters and the most up-to-date pricing available. Our smart, searchable website is easy to navigate and has everything the carnival glass enthusiast will need. We are constantly focusing on innovating, and our strong code of ethics means that we will provide you with honest information without compromise. Digital books, catalogs, articles and photo gallery.

In Pursuit of Beauty – Americans and the Aesthetic Movement

"In Pursuit of Beauty: Americans and the Aesthetic Movement" comprised some 175 objects including furniture, metalwork, stained glass, ceramics, textiles, wallpaper, painting, and sculpture. Some of these had rarely been displayed; others, although familiar, were being shown in new and even startling contexts. The exhibition and catalogue are arranged thematically to illustrate both the major styles of a visually rich movement and the ideas that generated its diversity." -- Authors: Doreen Bolger Burke, Doreen Bolger, Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen, Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.), Catherine Hoover Voorsanger; Published: 1986; Page count: 511

Marks and Monograms on Pottery & Porcelain of the Renaissance and Modern Periods

Marks and monograms on pottery & porcelain of the renaissance and modern periods, with historical notices of each manufactory, preceded by an introductory essay on the vasa fictilia of the Greek, Romano-British, and medieval eras; and an appendix containing a brief history of the country of Japan and its ceramic manufactures -- Author: William Chaffers; Published: 1876; Page count: 1,028

Marks and Monograms on Pottery and Porcelain

With Short Historical Notices of Each Manufactory and an Introductory Essay on the Vasa Fictilia of England

Author: William Chaffers; Published: 1863; Page count: 2

Pottery and Porcelain of All Times and Nations

"I have written on the theory that the reader knows nothing even of the rudiments of the art, and have tried to give a simple and intelligible account of the several departments, so that the book may be of interest and value to the inexperienced possessor of a few inherited specimens of old china or crockery, as well as to the laborious collector. In selecting specimens for illustration from my own and other collections, and from European works, it seemed to give greater practical value to the book to illustrate, generally, characteristic work of various countries and factories, such as collectors may hope to meet with, rather than curious, rare, and superb products of the art."

Author: William Cowper Prime; Published: 1879; Page count: 531

Mark Identification & Repositories

A Manual of Marks on Pottery and Porcelain; 1876

"This Manual, founded on the note-books of the Authors was commence some years ago, but was thrown aside on the announcement of other works which promised to supply the much wanted book of reference for the pocket. It is now brought out, because a great number of Marks collected by the Authors have never yet been published- most of the Oriental being quite new- and their general arrangement will, it is hoped, make the book of great use to the collector. Some do the European part has been derived from the works of Brongniart and Demmin. The Japanese part owes much of its value to the kindness' and courtesy of Mr. A. G. Yamada, and the thanks of the Authors are also due to many gentlemen who have allowed their collections to be examined, and have given much valuable assistance." -- Published: 1876; Authors: William Harcourt Hooper, William Charles Phillips; Page count: 238

Adressbuch der keramischen industrie (Address book of the ceramic industry)

American Pottery Marks and Resource Directory

Pottery identification focused on American pottery marks, but includes some Canadian pottery marks as well.

Antique Marks – (Porcelain, China, etc)

Detailed information on all kinds of antique china, pottery marks, porcelain marks, antiques and collectables. Antique Marks includes antique terms, a full antiques glossary and detailed history on well known companies and artist biographies. You will also find pottery & porcelain companies and information on caring for antique rugs, carpets, silver and glass.

Carnival Glass Worldwide

Totally dedicated to Carnival Glass. The information here on the website is the result of over thirty years of collecting and researching the fascinating world of Carnival Glass. They have amassed an amazing amount of information and hundreds of pictures, and are adding to it on almost a daily basis. There is something here for everyone, from beginners to experienced collectors, covering over one hundred years of Carnival Glass production and organized collecting.

David Doty’s Carnival Glass Website

"There are currently more than 3,000 pages on this site, which include more than 8,000 images. The site receives about 2,900 visits daily. It is viewed by about 19,000 unique visitors each month who view about 240,000 pages. The most frequently viewed pages are 'Maker Marks', 'Indexed by Pattern', 'Indexed by Shape', 'Indexed by Maker', 'Colors', and 'Indexed by Motif'. The most frequently viewed patterns are Northwood Grape and Cable bowls, Fenton Orange Tree, Fenton Fine Rib Vases, Fenton Persian Medallion, Hattie, Rustic Vases, Northwood Good Luck, Northwood Peacocks (Peacocks on the Fence), and Fenton Grape and Cable."

Glass Bottle Marks (Not Just Bottles)

The general history of the glass manufacturing industry in the United States, especially that of container glass, electrical insulators and tableware (both pressed and blown). Antique bottles, Fruit jars, Glass electrical insulators, Fishing net floats, EAPG (Early American Pattern Glass), Depression Glass, Milk Glass, antique children’s mugs, and other items.

Glass Encyclopedia

"The Glass Encyclopedia is a reference source on glass, covering a broad list of types of glass. Each topic has its own page with a definition of the topic, interesting background and history, pictures, references to other on-line sources and articles, and suggested books on the topic. The Glass Encyclopedia is currently being upgraded page by page, to update the links and enhance the text."

Handbook of Marks on Pottery & Porcelain

Hooked on Carnival (Glass)

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