In the mid 1750’s, the Worcester factory in England brought a version of the enormously popular blue and white dinnerware to the middle classes through a method of transfer printing elaborate and intricate patterns onto unglazed pottery bodies. 

In this process, a flat copper plate is engraved with the desired pattern.  The copper plate is inked, and pressed, or transferred, to a fine sheet of tissue paper that is applied to the ceramic form.  The piece is fired at a low temperature which fused the ink onto the body.  A final clear glaze is applied, and the items is fired a second time at a higher temperature.  The copper plates were reused, and intricately patterned wares were produced in a fraction of the time and cost of their hand decorated counterparts.

Early Blue & White Transferware

The earliest blue and white ware depicted subjects of the mysterious Orient.  Most famous of all Chinese influenced patterns was the Blue Willow, a pattern that was copied and produced by hundreds of potteries, including those in Staffordshire.  Supposedly based on an ancient fable concerning doomed lovers Koon-see and Chang, who, while fleeing their oppressors, are turned into doves, the pattern was actually developed in Britain.  It is unclear who made the first Blue Willow pattern. Experts disagree, some attributing the pattern to Spode, others to Thomas Minton for Caughley.

Transferware for Americans

By 1830, British manufacturers were producing dinnerware strictly for export to the US, and had created designs exclusively for the American Market.  The decorations on American dinner service included portraits of heroic Americans such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Ben Franklin.  American buildings often graced the pottery along with scenes such as railroads and steamships.

Values of Transferware

The most valuable transferware was manufactured before the 20^th century, with the exception of colonial era plates, which can still be found within the $100-200 range, the best examples are hard to find except in museums and private collections.  Twentieth century transferware, however, is still plentiful and depending on condition, subject, and manufacturer, available in a wide range of prices.  A dinner plate can range in value from between $100-250.  The most expensive pieces of any era are the oversized platters, and serving pieces and pitchers.  These can fetch prices into the low thousands.