Posted by bruce braverman on February 26, 2009, 1:02 pm
99.185.6.122

I recently inherited flow blue china [platters/plates/gravy bowl/tureen/saucers/sugar bowl/creamer,and much more] about 150 pieces.The manufacturers include Copeland,W ADAMS ,johnson bros.,stanley pottery co. ,eurelem leigh [vermont] ,and La Belle. Any interest in purchasing same or help in getting more history would be appreciated. sacramento ,ca.telehone [916] 424-2194 .

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Posted by Judy Boyer on February 26, 2009, 9:17 pm, in reply to "flow blue china"
63.150.171.145

Congratulations on your inheritance! I'm envious! There are several books available that specifically cover flow blue: Jeffrey Snyder has 4 or 5 books, and his Flow Blue: a Closer Look has a whole section on the LaBelle Pottery.William Van Buskirk has put out a book that deals with W.H.Grindley, Johnson Bros, and the Meakin family potters that is very informative. You might consider becoming a member of the flow blue club: we get newsletters every 2 months and the conventions (this year in St. Louis) are full of seminars that are meant to inform/enhance member's knowledge of their collections. I would be happy to send you a pamphlet regarding the flow blue club. Please email me if you have any specific questions regarding your collection.

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Posted by bruce braverman on February 26, 2009, 9:29 pm, in reply to "Re: flow blue china"
99.185.6.122

thanks for your response.

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Posted by Judy on February 28, 2009, 1:13 pm, in reply to "Re: flow blue china"
63.150.171.145

Hi Bruce: I have a bit more info regarding your flow blue collection. Alot of info hinges on the maker marks on the bottoms of the pieces. Copeland has several different marks depending on who owned them at any particular time: you might try looking for the pattern name on the piece (and also on all the other pieces of the individual potters you listed.) Copeland mfg'd anywhere from mid 1800's to early 1900's. William Adams started manufacturing in ca 1845, and there are also too many W.Adams potters to tell you when your pieces were made. Johnson Bros were from 1891 - early 1900's and made numerous patterns. Your Vermont was probably made by Burgess & Leigh ca 1895. La Belle is American made by the Wheeling Pottery in West Virginia. Again, it helps to know what the patterns are before you can determine approximate date of manufacture. Hope this gives you an idea of the complexity of the flow blue field. If you are interested in any further info, please let me know. Our club members are truly knowledgeable and if I don't know an answer, I may be able to find another member who would know what you want to find out. Thanks for contacting the FBICC and keep in touch! Judy

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Posted by Phoebe on March 6, 2009, 2:47 pm, in reply to "flow blue china"
96.240.58.203

I have a covered vegetable dish made by Ford & Sons in the Verona pattern. I can't decide if this is flow blue? There are other pieces online by the same maker and in the same pattern, but those are quite a bit darker than mine. Is flow blue always DARK blue? Or are some pieces a med blue color? Until recently I would have just called this transferware.

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Posted by Judy Boyer on March 6, 2009, 7:54 pm, in reply to "Re: flow blue china"
63.150.171.145

Hi Phoebe. First of all, the Verona pattern by Ford and Sons was made approx.1908, which is considered Late Victorian era in Flow Blue production. It is considered a flow blue scenic pattern and is listed in Petro Williams' first Flow Blue China book. "Flow Blue" is a technique that involves getting a blue decoration to run during the glaze firing: to do this, flow powder was added to the oven during the glaze firing. Cobalt Oxide is what made the color blue. Potters could not guarantee that all pieces would come out the same in color and blurring effect. Not all flow blue pieces are a dark blue color: it just depended on how much cobalt oxide was used in the firing process. With what we have to go on, I would say you probably have a flow blue piece. Hope this helps. Judy

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Posted by Debbie Oliva on March 11, 2009, 11:36 pm, in reply to "flow blue china"
97.106.166.253

This is a one in a million shot, but I do not have the lid for a LaBelle biscuit jar. I'm guessing you wouldn't have just that? I don't really know why anyone would, but hey, never hurts to ask.

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Posted by bruce braverman on March 12, 2009, 10:30 am, in reply to "Re: flow blue china"
99.185.6.122

no.

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Posted by Kevin on June 14, 2009, 9:10 am, in reply to "flow blue china"
64.222.113.151

Hi Bruce, If you have Vermont pattern Flow Blue I would be interested in purchase. Please let me know. Kevin

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