Collecting china has never been of great interest to me, but I am attracted to early transferware. These pretty pieces usually have designs that cover the entire presentation surface, and the colors are appealing. The earliest examples are hard to find in perfect condition because this decorative style of dinnerware has been popular from the mid-1700s until today. Most was produced in the Staffordshire area of England.

Children’s transferware china was often decorated with nursery rhyme scenes, alphabets or poems. This cup shows the slightly off level application of the transfer pattern. It measures 2 inches tall and dates from the early 1800s. It is priced at $110. What is it? This cast-iron item measures 10 inches across and 5 inches wide. Numbers embossed on the largest part of the arc start at 5 and increase by 5 until reaching 100. The manufacturer’s name is “Morrison Bros. Dubuque, IA.” The arrow can be set to point to any number. Do you know how and why this device was used?

The transfer printing process was developed by John Sadler and Guy Green in the 1760s. A design was etched onto a copper plate. The plate was inked and “transferred” to a special tissue paper. The inked tissue was then fit onto a bisque-fired ceramic item and glazed. When dry, the piece was fired again at a higher temperature. Some early patterns were transferred to the ceramics after glazing, but the ink tended to wear away quickly.

To identify transferware china, look for crisp details. On careful inspection, you can often see where one tissue transfer pattern ended and another one began. Occasionally it is slightly askew because these pieces were made quickly for mass sales. Before this process, elaborate designs on china were hand-painted and expensive. Once transfer printing was developed, middle-class families could own beautiful dinnerware at affordable prices.

Asian designs were popular since most of the high-quality china popular during the early 1800s was imported from China. Blue transfers over creamy white china depicted romantic scenes of Asian couples walking on arched bridges or strolling through gardens with pagodas. Historical scenes of royal coronations or the launching of ships were printed as commemorative ware. Scenes of rural life were popular, too. Floral decorations were common, especially in later production. The most valuable pieces tend to be unique serving pieces, novelty items and miniatures. Children’s sets showing trains, animals, children at play are highly sought.

Blue and white, the most popular color combination produced, still remains a favorite today. Various shades of red ranging from pink to mulberry, browns and black are also popular but harder to find. The most valuable transferware color combinations are two-tone or three-tone. Combinations of the popular colors were introduced later in production when the process was refined. Transfer printed designs were occasionally enhanced with hand-painted enamel over the printed patterns.

Most new collectors start by collecting pieces of blue and white transferware called Blue Willow but do further research before purchasing. This popular pattern was produced in the 1800s but is still being made today. Much of what is available in flea markets and shops is not the early ware. Blue Willow was reintroduced in 1990 by the Spode China Co. as part of its Blue Room Collection. Study the early marks, look at pieces that you know are old and carefully examine each piece for damage. Even a tiny chip or hairline crack devalues the china. As with all collecting, buyer beware and buyer be prepared with knowledge.

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