The Earle Collection of Early Staffordshire Pottery, Illustrating Over Seven Hundred Different Pieces

London: A. Brown and Sons, Limited, 1915. Folio. [ii], xlvi, 240, [iii], pages. Illustrated with two hundred seventy half-tone reproductions in sepia and ten full-page plates in color. Bibliography. List of subscribers. FIRST EDITION, first issue, stated "Subscriber's Edition" limited to 250 hand-numbered copies, of which this is 34. Printed on a thick laid paper with wide margins. Tipped-in at the front is the printed announcement "Her Majesty the Queen has been graciously pleased to accept the first numbered copy of this work". A survey of the grand collection of Staffordshire Pottery (1620-1880) assembled by Major Cyril Earle, covering the Stuart through Victorian periods. As such, the collection illustrates the origins and development of what would become a significant English industry. Earthenware, stoneware, porcelain, creamware, bone china, and transfare were just a few of the types of pottery made, and in some cases pioneered, in Stafforshire. Some of the most well-known makers include Doulton, Spode, and Wedgewood. While decorative figurines are a significant part of Staffordwhire output, there were many types of practical housewares included as well: cups, bowls, mugs, honey jars, tableware, etc. Introduction by Frank Falkner, and a supplementary Chapter by T. Sheppard, F.G.S. Bit of foxing to the endpapers and preliminaries, otherwise the textblock is clean and bright. Brown buckram, -gilt-titled and -decorated, has the slightest bumping to corners, but is otherwise clean, bright and sound. Very near fine.