Antique Trader's Guide to American Painted Porcelain: With Values

This book is unlike any other Antique Trader guide I've ever used. Not only does it contain both a table of contents and an index, its content is well organized, comprehensive and very well written. Ms. Kamm approached the writing and compilation of the book with the same fervor Victorian's applied to their quest for perfection. Okay, enough of the hyperbole. If you're looking for a reference to help you identify the difference between a teapot and a chocolate pot, this is the book for you. Ms. Kamm has meticulously identified each piece of popular American painted porcelain, explained its purpose and identified its value. While there are not multiple examples of each piece (a volume of that scope would require at least ten times the space) this book will give you a basic knowledge of the various pieces, their function, and value. The layout is logical and creative, the text is engaging, the photos are gorgeous and the values are very realistic. Ms. Kamm has created a very good reference for the beginning collector or dealer.

China painting was a popular pastime in the Victorian era. This book is very useful in identifying items from the period 1877-1917. Some pieces are unmarked and some are marked with various manufacturers but were sold as "blanks" and decorated. Descriptions of how the items were used at the turn of the century, outlines of how the items were produced, and examination of the styles of painting are considered in evaluation and in valuation. Values in average retail range were given for approximately 400 pieces. Artists and studios are listed so that you can find out more about your signed pieces. I wish more information was available on the decals used.

When I received the Comprehensive Guide to American Painted Porcelain, by Dorothy Kamm, I was concerned that this would be a rehash of her previous book entitled, American Painted Porcelain. But to my suprise and satisfaction, this book is the perfect companion to the first. Whereas the first book answered general questions regarding identifying and pricing American hand painted porcelain treasures, her new book goes into greater detail regarding the history, function, and the importance of these pieces within the American culture, emphasizing the Victorian, and post-Victorian era. Having read this book from cover to cover, I feel more confident in identifying, pricing, and understanding the significance of these art treasures. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in porcelain and/or Victorian history. This book is a steal relative to the wealth of information conveyed to the reader.