Ceramics Books and Magazines

This book only focuses on the "pre-war" years when Noritake's products were first being imported into the US and other nations. Joan's book provides excellent backstamp references so you know what you are buying as well as to know what the reproductions look like so you don't get taken.

You will see the eye-popping best of the best you may only see available on ebay or at a Nippon show. However, once you know what to look for and are educated; you can pick up some incredible deals from antique dealers or garage sales because you know what you are looking for.

The down sides, some of the pictures in this book are replicated in her other books. The price sheet is in the back at the book...very irritating when you are going back and forth from picture to price sheet to learn values of items.


Helpful, but barely skims the surface of available patterns   May 10, 2000
 30 out of 32 found this review helpful

Nice reference book, easy to follow with a price guide in the back. Unfortunatly, it has a limited number of patterns represented and no information on the types of pieces available for all but 4 or 5 patterns. I purchased this book hoping to learn more about the Rosemarie #6044 pattern I inherited from my father, but will have to try again with a different reference. I ended up keeping it for the information on patterns from the 1920's. It's helped me identify a Morimura Luncheon set from 1922 and other Noritake items I've purchased. The book also contains some limited information on old advertisements and some care suggestions for fine china.