Granite Ware

Hard as Granite:

I think that there is nothing as endearing as granite ware. Its swirling colors are happy and almost dream like. Everyone has encountered that piece of blue and white granite ware in the market place. Durable meant and to last and meant to be used and used hard.

The Collector's Encyclopedia of Granite Ware: Colors, Shapes & Values. by Helen Greguire

This book and its volume II companion are invaluable to the appraiser and collector alike. A story of the American kitchen and hearth. It covers many things are just one of a kind and items that are so incredibly hard to find in the marketplace. I don't think that granite ware, like soooo many things in this decorative arts business, has moved through this down economy unscathed. Sometimes the prices for granite ware are half of what was being traded 20, 10 or 5 years ago. But some of the values for common household items can be shocking even in this economy. So take a grain of salt when looking at the value guide.

A heavy substantial hard back book published by Collector Books. My copy is from 1990 and has been reprinted several times. Full color glossy photographs, 414 numbered pages. Covers a wide range of items broken down by some excellent categories, like What is Granite Ware?, Shades of Color, Granite Ware Names and Makers and just page after page of American and European wares. some things that I didn't even know were made in granite ware, like dust pans and watering cans. The chapters, and there are several, on children's ware and toys is worth the cost of the book.

A plus for any appraiser that deals with country or primitives on a regular basis. Everyone needs to have this book.

Remember Knowledge is Power, So Arm Your Self.