Bag # 1008, Item #1

Whiteware. Ceramic. Blue-transfer print. Recovered from Myers Residence. Date of origin: 1817-1834 (Stamford 1987)

This type of ceramic blue print was developed in Stafford, England around 1760. The technique consisted of transferring a print from an engraved inked copper plate to a sheet of paper. Next, the paper is applied to the unfired clay. The paper is then removed and the clay is glazed and fired. This technique allowed larger numbers of plateware products to be made relative to hand painting individual items.

After the War of 1812, Staffordshire pottery became popular in the United States as they began to produce American imagery, such as City Hall and other historically significant buildings. Colors included: blue, green, red, yellow, brown, and black.

The expensive cost of Staffordshire pottery may account for why some families did not have matching sets of ceramic ware.