Character Steins: A Collector’s Guide by Eugene V. Manusov & Mike Wald soon to be presented for sale on the terrific BookLovers of Bath web site!
Published: Cornwall, 1987, Hardback in dust wrapper.
Illustrated by way of: Black & White Photographs; Colour Photographs;
From the cover: This comprehensive book provides a finely illustrated guide to the field of character stein collecting. These unique figural pieces, usually not cylindrical, are modeled so that the body and lid form a caricature, a figure, or an object. The fanciful imagery of the steins is always imaginative, and sometimes comical. An eclectic variety of creations are depicted in the steins: people (monks, historic personages, military figures, mythological characters); animals (horses, lions, foxes heads even a rhinoceros); and objects (skulls, sports equipment, buildings, for example).
The book thoroughly examines each of these and is arranged according to subject depicted, each chapter treating a different category. The result is an intriguing picture catalog containing over 600 illustrations of steins and stein-related items, many of which are in full color. Each illustration is accompanied by a brief description that includes the steins dimensions, its coloring, a translation of old German inscriptions, an explanation of what the stein represents, and the manufacturers (if known). The text also offers an extensive listing of the manufacturers marks that are found on many of the steins.
Several special chapters written by authorities on character steins have been included in the book: Jack G. Lowenstein writes about Beer Stein Ceramics, Ron Fox tells How Musterschutz Character Steins Were Made, and the late Dr. J. Joseph Hersh contributed an interesting chapter on The Hexagram as the Brewers Symbol. There are also chapters on contemporary steins and the artifacts relating to them, and a concise history of antique character drinking vessels. Since the publication of the Encyclopedia of Character Steins in 1976, old and new character stein collectors have brought forth a number of previously unknown steins. The book includes pictures of these newly discovered steins, and complements them with a fascinating section that outlines new facts that have come to light concerning the intricacies of this absorbing field of study. The chapter Musterschutz and the Elusive # Mark sheds light on the identity of the manufacturer of the popular so-called Musterschutz steins.
Collectors like Werner Sahm, Roland Henschen, and Lotti Lopez, through diligent searching, have been able to obtain copies of many original stein manufacturers catalogs, some pages of which show original sketches or photos of character steins. Because of this research, the authors are able to display in the Old Catalogs portion of the book some of these exciting finds from manufacturers such as Rosskopf & Gerz, Steinzeugwerke, Reinhold Hanke, Mer-kelbach & Wick, Marzi & Remy, and J. W. Remy. These catalogs facilitated the search to identify the previously unknown makers of many character steins.
In addition to these catalogs, much new information has come from researchers who have recently published their results in Prosit, the quarterly publication of Stein Collectors International. While much progress has been made in determining manufacturers, there is still much to be discovered. Answers always seem to raise new questions; new character steins that are found occasionally fill in known gaps, but more often seem to carry still unknown marks or styles. Gene Manusovs and Mike Walds enthusiasm for the study and collection of character steins is infectious. In this highly informative work, collectors, dealers, and antique lovers will enjoy their beautiful pictures supplemented by their stimulating perceptive text.
Very Good in Very Good Dust Wrapper. Dust wrapper has a tape reinforcement to the reverse of the head of the spine. Text complete, clean and tight.
Black boards with Gilt titling to the Spine. 271 pages. Index. 12¼” x 9¼”.
Of course, if you don’t like this one, may I excite you with my selection hither or maybe further, hand picked, books in my Antiques & Collecting Pottery catalogue?
BookLovers of Bath 