A common request I get is for recommendations on Roseville Pottery reference books.  There are probably more reference books and price guides writtern on Roseville pottery than any other American or European art pottery. 

The Roseville price guides and reference books we refer to most frequently include:

Introducing Roseville Pottery by Mark Bassett

Quite simply, I believe Introducing Roseville Pottery is the most comprehensive Roseville reference book available.  The book includes a narative discussion on each Roseville pattern from A to Z.  Dscn8787_2Shape numbers and descriptions are provided as well as standard colors and typical marks.  The discussion includes multiple high quality photos of examples of each pattern.  The book also touches on experimental and trial glaze vases and factory marks and signatures. There is also a section on Roseville reproductions, fakes and fantasy pieces.

Understanding Roseville Pottery by Mark Bassett

Understanding Roseville Pottery is a great complement to Mark’s Introducing Roseville Pottery book.  Dscn8788_2 Understanding Roseville Pottery discusses in great detail Roseville’s early art pottery lines such as Aztec, Azurean, Carnelian, Chloron, Creamwear (Juvenile), Cremo, Crystalis, Della Robbia, Matte Green, Mara, Modern Art, Mongol, Olympic, and Pauleo.  This reference book also includes the most detailed information you will find on Roseville trial glazes and experimentals as well as a detailed discussion on Roseville factory lamps.   

Roseville Pottery Collector’s Price Guide by Gloria and James Mollring   

The Mollring price has historically been the price guide of choice for many Roseville collectors.  Pict3910 However, the latest edition left much to be desired in terms of the updated prices for Roseville.  While previous editions, may have simply overstated prices for some patterns there was at least some consistency to pricing.  Unfortunately the 2006 release attempted to update prices by making wholesale, across the board reductions in book values. 

The result is that some of the later floral patterns in the more desirable colors such as blue Bushberry and yellow Bittersweet sell at levels much higher than book value and some of the middle period patterns such as brown Cherry Blossom and brown Wisteria sell for less than current book values.  All of this has served to reduce the confidence collectors can place in the price guide.  However, that being said, the Mollring guide does as good of a job as any of the other price guides in terms of incorporating the impact of pattern color on price. 

Roseville Pottery in All Its Splendor by Jack and Nancy Bomm

This Roseville reference book is important in that it includes photocopies of literally 100s of reprints of Roseville factory stock catalog pages and related original records.  Dscn7957 There is also an extensive listing of Roseville marks and artist names and monograms.  From time to time I still find myself referring to this important reference guide.

Greg Myroth

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