Finding New Hall in the Library of Congress

When I bid on a large lot of porcelain, I had no idea how much it would cost to identify the items. I knew from the auction catalog that these were all supposed to be from a collection by the early New Hall company of England, circa 1800. As I soon found out, the most recent book (at that time) was now out of print and being offered used on the internet at $200 and up. As much as I love books and have built a substantial reference library, that $200 stayed in my pocket. Around that time, I read that Geoffrey Godden, the English ceramics authority, would have his book on New Hall Porcelains ready in about 18 months. That is a long time to wait to id these pretty plates and cups and saucers.

I did a web search of libraries looking for the OP book and found what seemed to be the only copy in the US was held by the Library of Congress. I can't remember now how I learned that our local library can borrow books for its patrons. The library has to register or join the Library of Congress and they will ship the requested material to your library for your use! This means a lot when you live in a small New Hampshire town. With the aid of that book by A. de Saye Hutton, 1990, I learned there was much unknown about the wares not only of this company, but many others in England. And to this day, there are companies known simply as Factory A, Factory C, etc.

The Antique Collectors' Club published Geoffrey A. Goddens book, New Hall Porcelains, in 2004. If you ever have the chance to look through the ACC catalog, you will see why they make me drool! Their books are usually under $100-125 ( yes, expensive but all things are relative) and authoritative, bulging with gorgeous pictures and up to the minute research. Mr. Godden's work has spanned half a century and is represented in the 30 plus books he has authored. I didn't start out to describe Mr. Godden's accomplishments nor his book but it is hard for me to separate an item, New Hall plate for example, from the source of enlightenment. So I had better halt for now and resume in awhile.

Antiquespeak

A passion took hold and keeps me still.

Like being in love or loving love, it is hard to tell the difference which I love more: ceramics itself or studying the mysteries of ceramics. The object or its composition? Not to be obtuse but I find great enjoyment in researching and discovering the source, the time, the history of pottery and porcelain. And then, nothing beats getting to know some of the great explorers - the researchers- past and present.

Find a plate without a maker's name and begin the adventure into history. Country? Manufacturer? Date? Material? How did it get to my part of the world? Those are perhaps the broader categories and as the mystery unwinds, many more strands develop. Country: China. What region? What reigns? When did the Manchus supersede the Mongols and how did that affect the production of porcelain? Eventually, many books later, I hope I have learned enough to identify my plate.