I was wondering if anyone could offer a clarification regarding the McKinley Tariff Act of 1890. As I understand it, the McKinley Tariff Act imposed tariffs on imports but also required the country of manufacture to be listed on the product (typically listed as "England", etc in the maker's mark). What I'm trying to figure out is: did this in anyway affect labeling of US manufactured ceramics sold domestically? Did the 1890 Tariff Act apply only to imports or did US manufacturers also follow suit (either as a legal requirement or just practice for various other reasons)?
I realize the Club and forum typically relate to British transferwares, but I'm hoping someone might have some insights on this.
There are some US ceramic companies in the US that put "Made in the USA" as a part of a printed mark, but it was not a general practice. It certainly could not have been a legal requirement because it was not universally done.