Third edition BSPM

I'm sure you know about James' work but just in case...https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=472158166182895&set=a.428981873833858.98907.347394628659250&type=1

Knew it was coming, but did not know the contact details (thanks!), I've sent a message regarding a couple of incorrect entry's. Let's see what happens.

some might find this thread confusing,I did.

What's confusing?

the link takes you to a large pic of a book and some adverts?

I did eventually find this though








A revised mark book for all British studio potters
James Hazlewood needs your help

In 1999 A C & Black published the first edition of the Robert Fournier and Eric Yates-Owen British Studio Potters’ Marks book. It was the result of many years of work and was welcomed by potters, collectors and dealers alike.

The book contains representations of potters’ marks/signatures alongside the potter’s name, workshop history and a brief description of their work.

Sadly both Robert Fournier and Eric Yates Owen have died and I assumed that the book would no longer be updated. However, after a rather bizarre chain of events earlier in the year I was asked by Bloomsbury publishing if I would consider revising and updating the book. After serious consideration I decided to take the task on.

I’m currently in the process of updating the content and adding new content so that a third edition can be published.

If you’re currently featured in the book and have not heard from me please contact me
If you’re a professional potter who is not currently featured but would like to be included please get in touch

All potters new to the book are required to complete a brief form allowing the publisher permission to use their details.

When initially contacting me please do not send any information other than your name and contact details. I will then be in touch with instructions.

I’m hugely passionate about ceramics and this project. The original authors did such a wonderful job. I only hope I can do them, you and the book justice.

Please get in touch no later than 12 noon on 30 June 2013.
I very much look forward to hearing from you.

James Hazlewood
E: studiopotterymarksbook@gmail.com

dantheman wrote:the link takes you to a large pic of a book and some adverts?

Firefox - Ad Block Plus

Never saw any adverts

James replied to my email and sounds very keen to amend the errors, I think he'll do a good job on the 3rd edition.

That's excellent news Potty, I wasn't sure how much James knew about the errors but sounds like it's worth letting him know of any we know just in case. Sorry for the confusion Dantheman, yes, I use Firefox too so didn't see the ads either, but thanks for putting up the full text.

I think he would be pleased to hear about any errors anyone has noticed.

He also asked (politely) for the source of what I said (totally understandable), this shows that he is keen for it to be as accurate as possible.

I do wish him well - it's a thankless task really.

Hi all. This is my first post on here. I've seen the forum in the past but until now never registered.
Yes, I am the fool who has agreed to take on the task of updating the current 2nd edition of the BSPM book so that a 3rd edition can be published. Potty was very kind and recently emailed me about some errors in the current edition of the book. I was totally unaware of these errors and without his input they probably would have remained in the new edition. So please people - do let me know of any errors in the book that you're aware of. The task of updating it is huge! I've owned and used the book for a good number of years BUT there will be entries in there that I've never looked at and some of you may have done and spotted things that need attention. I think it likely that some of the errors in the book may be down to editorial mishaps rather than the original text submitted by the authors? One of the tasks I will have at some point is to verify the final version before it goes to print!!!!!!
I started researching the update of the book in March last year! It's taken literally hundreds of hours so far and I have a good way to go yet! But, its getting there and I'm feeling happy about it now. I do feel rather a lot of pressure to get it right but I feel it’s going the right way. I’ve sent out many letters and emails! Approx 5000 emails since September 2012! I've been getting some lovely responses from people thanking me for continuing where the previous authors left off. They did an amazing job with this book - I hope I can carry on where they left off and do them proud.

I am sure that there is much information buried within this site that would be useful - it's just all the hours it takes to find it.

One of my most recent moans on the Forum about the book is Michael Cardew and the K mark that you most probably have dealt with: -

https://www.20thcenturyforum.com/t11585-kingwood-pottery-surrey

Thanks John.

Sadly I don't have the hours to search the site as just dealing with emails etc etc etc generated by the book is taking hundreds of hours! There probably will be some time at the end of the year where I will be able to step back from emails and then do some more research.
I assume you mean the Kingwood mark that looks nothing like a Kingwood seal? I've not actually done anything about that. The problem the previous authors will have had is that they were probably supplied with those images and to then authenticate them all would mean the book would have never been published. Some of Ray's marks also don't look much like his actual seals - and I know at least one is missing. I have a pot with that one on so will be able to add it. I also need to add Clive Bowen's seal too! I need to email Rosie about that again actually! I may draw my own representation and send that for approval.
One REALLY frustrating thing is that some potters that MUST be in the book are simply too busy to get back to me! In that scenario my hands are tied! Every new potter being added is required to sign a permission form allowing their details to be added! Not my decision but an understandable one. Let me sort something out re that K seal and I will PM you.

If you need any help James do let me know. I have a research background (PhD) and also write and proofread for a living - it's an essential book so anything i can do!

Thanks skipposal - That is MUCH MUCH MUCH appreciated indeed :)

Thanks skipposal, that is MUCH MUCH MUCH appreciated indeed.

Oops - sorry! didn't mean to post twice!!!!

It's on my Christmas list - which Christmas, who knows, but it'll give the family time to save up for it.

hazlex10 wrote:Oops - sorry! didn't mean to post twice!!!!

Careful James ,that doesn't bode well if everything is going to be in duplicate , think of all that work

All potters new to the book are required to complete a brief form allowing the publisher permission to use their details.

If you've got a 'hit list' of busy potters who haven't returned one of these forms, maybe you could put up a PDF link that could be printed off, and some of us could help by cornering them at ceramics fairs and then post the forms back to you?

It's a good idea Naomi, but it could be seen as a named and shamed list!

Welcome to the forum hazlex10

P.S. I think what SP means is that the book reads as if every pot made at Kingwood was made by Cardew himself (page 285), hence most pots that only have the K mark are attributed to Cardew.

I asked several potters at Art in Clay, Farnham, if I could Photograph their marks for reference and they were all very keen. Nic Harrison's wife(?) even complained about the number of times they've had to contact ebayers who've mis-identified pots as Nic's

One needs a research Phd just to find one's way around this site!
One does wonder tho,at the practicalities of the print version. The 2005 2nd edition was 710 pages and cost £40. The 3rd edition in 2013? 2014? is obviously going to need to be substantially bigger. 800? 900? 1000 pages? And cost £60? £70? or more. There comes a time when the sheer quantity of information is overwhelming,and it better in a ebook or Online. Still obviously Black's think there is a ready market for a new tome....