Meissen Porcelain Identification and Value Guide

Review of Meissen Porcelain Identification and Value Guide
September 25, 2009
Reviewer: Old Stuff, Oct./Nov./Dec., 2009

The porcelain produced in Meissen, Germany, has been of the finest quality since the manufactory was first established in 1710. The reigning king at that time was Augustus II, and he had what amounted to a passion for porcelain, or "white gold" as it was called. The story of the discovery of the correct formula for making a hard paste porcelain, equivalent to what was being produced in China, reads almost like a fairy tale. A young chemist, Johann Boettger, and his team of assistants were ordered to work in isolation, first in an old medieval fortress and then in a closely guarded laboratory in a tower of the king's castle in Dresden. Fortunately for Boettger, they were successful in developing the formula. The first manufacturing plant was established immediately in the nearby town of Meissen in an old Gothic fortress. The work force consisted of 23 prisoners! Through the years, thousands of products and patterns have come from the Meissen porcelain factories. Without doubt, the most famous, and the most copied, is the Blue Onion pattern. It was not copyrighted and over 60 different factories, in America, Europe, Japan and China, have made their versions of this pattern. Many of these are very well known in their own right, such as Villeroy and Boch, Royal Copenhagen, and Hutschenreuther. Blue Danube is a contemporary line based on the Blue Onion pattern.

Review of Meissen Porcelain Identification and Value Guide
July 3, 2007
Reviewer: Mary Currier

This book is outstanding. I am a beginner and it is so very helpful for beginners. The photography and different angles are exciting. I love the explanations and when and why. Details on the marks and who and where are wonderful. This will surely be my favorite "go-to" resource book now. I am absolutely delighted with it. I also appreciate the very reasonable price on the book and shipping. I have paid so much more for inferior books without quality paper was and it took forever to get to me. You know, you get excited about a book and wait weeks and weeks and the mystery seems to go away.
Please know I am thrilled beyond words and I am grateful to you for all of this wonderful information during my growing period in this beautiful world of lost art. I give it a strong 10 of 10.

Review of Meissen Porcelain
January 5, 2006
Reviewer: AntiqueWeek - October 31, 2005

Mention Meissen porcelain, and many people will think of exquisite 18th century ceramics securely housed in a museum. True enough. However, today's antique market offers a vast quantity of Meissen porcelain that's affordable for most collectors. Those items are the focus of Jim and Susan Harran's latest book, Meissen Porcelain.

Readers of AntiqueWeek will undoubtedly recognize the Harrans' names. For years, Jim and Susan have written The World of Ceramics, one of the paper's most popular columns. As antique dealers, the Harrans have specialized in English and Continental porcelains for 23 years.

Meissen has long attracted the attention of collectors, and with good reason. As the Harrans wrote in their preface, "No two pieces are alike because everything at Meissen is done by hand. We believe Meissen employed the best flower, portrait and figure artists of the day. Meissen porcelain itself is unique. It is harder, whiter and more translucent than that made by other porcelain manufacturers."

Meissen Porcelain focuses on the items made from the mid-19th century through the 1950s. The book's 600-plus photographs show Meissen that the Harrans and other dealers and collectors have handled or own.

Values are listed for the items pictured, but this book is about more than current market levels. It touches on Meissen as both a city and a manufacturer; popular motifs used by Meissen, with special attention given to floral designs, Oriental patterns and Blue Onion; figurines and noted modelers at the company; and copycats that rode the coattails of Meissen's success. The book is rounded out by a tour of the Meissen porcelain office in New York.

As usual, the Harrans have paid attention to the little things that make a big difference in collecting. Marks are illustrated, giving readers a visual guide to help them date Meissen. The authors also discuss Internet buying, condition, recording-keeping, protection and displays. A biography and an index also prove helpful, whether a reader is looking to find something in this book or do further research on the subject.

As with the Harrans' column, Meissen Porcelain is packed with useful information that will be of inter

Review of Meissen Porcelain
December 21, 2005
Reviewer: The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles, December 2005

Meissen porcelain is eagerly collected throughout the world and traded vigorously at antique shows, auctions, and on the Internet. Of the few books available on this beautiful German porcelain, none includes current market values - but Jim and Susan Harran's new Meissen Porcelain does! The authors of the bestselling three-volume series, Collectible Cups & Saucers, and another volume, Dresden Porcelain Studios, have produced a book that features everyday items available in the marketplace, not the eighteenth century museum pieces found in many Meissen books. The majority of pieces featured date from the mid-nineteenth century through the 1950s. More than 625 color photographs are included, along with a helpful marks section. Meissen Porcelain provides historical information about the beautiful city of Meissen and a brief history of the Meissen manufactory itself, as well as discussions on decorating motifs and how Meissen porcelain is made. The book includes chapters on decorative porcelain, flower painting, Oriental motifs, Meissen's famous Blue Onion pattern, figures, copycats, and useful information for the collector. -The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles, December 2005

Review of Meissen Porcelain
December 1, 2005
Reviewer: The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles

Meissen porcelain is eagerly collected throughout the world and traded vigorously at antique shows, auctions, and on the Internet. Of the few books available on this beautiful German porcelain, none includes current market values, but Jim and Susan Harran's new Meissen Porcelain does. The authors of the bestselling three-volume series, Collectible Cups & Saucers, and another volume, Dresden Porcelain Studios, have produced a book that features everyday items available in the marketplace, not the 18th century museum pieces found in many Meissen books. The majority of pieces featured date from the mid 19th century through the 1950s. More than 625 color photographs are included, along with a helpful marks section. Meissen Porcelain provides historical information about the beautiful city of Meissen and a brief history of the Meissen manufactory itself, as well as discussions on decorating motifs and how Meissen porcelain is made. The book includes chapters on decorative porcelain, flower painting, Oriental motifs, Meissen's famous Blue Onion pattern, figures, copycats, and useful information for the collector.