First published in 1980, "The Dictionary of Wedgwood" established itself as the standard reference for museums, collectors, dealers and auction houses and its format was widely imitated. Now Robin Reilly has revised and enlarged this reference work after research among the Wedgwood archives and in many of the world's most important collections. Besides correcting dates and descriptions in the earlier editions, he has included his latest discoveries about jasper and the terracotta body (wrongly identified for more than a century) and added information about Wedgwood's 19th- and 20th- century wares which are of growing interest to collectors. He discusses the entire range of wares, the manufacturing processes, the subjects and the styles of decoration and their sources, not forgetting the men and women who played such an important part in the firm's direction. Also discussed are the firm's policies and designs, the distinguishing marks used in every period are illustrated and a bibliography provides details for those wishing to study the subject in even greater depth. This book should be of value to anyone interested in Wedgwood, English pottery or ceramic history.
This new edition aims to make it possible for all readers, whatever their previous knowledge of pottery and porcelain, to identify, and date their Wedgwood confidently and accurately.