Imperial Porcelain Works

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HOW TO USE THE DATABASE

The Database is organized by location, but you can find a pottery initially by searching for its name, which is at the top of the of the page with dates of operation below. Alternate names and the names of other potteries on the same site are noted at the top of the right-hand column, just above the pottery’s location.

The types of wares made appear below the pottery name in the left-hand column, followed by the references that informed these classifications.

Sample images of maker’s marks may be enlarged by clicking on the image.

Notes include a variety of information compiled from many standard sources and are presented as miscellaneous tidbits.

In the Gallery and Map Gallery in the right-hand column you will see historic images and insurance maps of the pottery’s facilities if available as well as historic advertisements and images of the wares made.

You can download more detailed information in all of these categories by choosing a PDF of the pottery’s full listing, which also includes the documentary sources. The PDF is text only and does not contain any images.  Data from the 1860, 1870 and 1880 industrial censuses area also included in the PDF if they exist for a given pottery. This data gives you a picture of the size of the pottery operation and the age and gender makeup of its work force.

You can help expand the database by contributing pictures and information. Contact POTS by the email address at the bottom of the page.

In operation    1906-1944

Wares

ElectricalSanitary

Hard porcelain (Industrial Directory 1906)

Electrical porcelain (Industrial Directory 1909, 1912, 1918, 1927)

Electric insulation (Industrial Directory 1931)

Electrical insulation, chemical porcelain (Industrial Directory 1934)

Electrical, mechanical & chemical porcelain (Industrial Directory 1938)

Sanitary earthenware (Industrial Directory 1938)

Notes

On August 8, 1909 fire severely damaged the property. The old stone still house was partly removed during renovations after the fire.

— Harney, W.J. 1929. “Trenton’s First Potteries.” Sunday Times Advertiser, July 7, 14, 21 and 28, 1929.

 

Selected References

Harney, W.J. 1929. “Trenton’s First Potteries.” Sunday Times Advertiser, July 7, 14, 21 and 28, 1929.

Trenton Chamber of Commerce. 1929.  Trenton: 250th Anniversary of the Settlement of Trenton.  On file, Trenton Public Library, Trenton, New Jersey.

“Two Porcelain Companies Unite: Cook and Ceramic Concerns Get Together.” Trenton Times, November 19, 1931.

Thorn, C. Jordan. 1947.  Handbook of Old Pottery & Porcelain Marks.  Tudor Publishing Company, New York, New York.

Lehner, Lois. 1988.  Lehner’s Encyclopedia of U.S. Marks on Pottery, Porcelain & Clay.  Collector Books, Paducah, Kentucky.

Goldberg, David J. 1998.  Preliminary Notes on the Pioneer Potters and Potteries of Trenton, N.J.: The First Thirty Years – 1852 – 1882 (And Beyond).  Privately published, Trenton, New Jersey.

Other firms at this site:

Other Names

C.S. Cook & Company; East Trenton Pottery Company; Excelsior Pottery; Imperial Porcelain Works, Inc.; Imperial Pottery Company; East Trenton Pottery Works

Block and Lot:
213A/1-3

Historic Street Address:
New York Avenue and Mulberry Street; Mulberry Street and Delaware and Raritan Canal; Mulberry Street and Pennsylvania Railroad; 457 Mulberry; 491 Mulberry

Municipality:
City of Trenton

Image Gallery

Imperial Porcelain Works
Imperial Porcelain Works
Imperial Porcelain Works

Map Gallery

Imperial Porcelain Works, 1908 Sanborn Map
Imperial Porcelain Works, 1927 Sanborn Map
Map References

Sanborn Map Company.  1908.  Insurance Maps of the City of Trenton, Mercer County, New Jersey, Volume 1. Sanborn Map Company, New York, New York.  (Vol.1, plate 52: shown as “Imperial Porcelain Works”)

Sanborn Map Company.  1927.  Insurance Maps of the City of Trenton, Mercer County, New Jersey. Sanborn Map Company, New York, New York.  (Vol. 3, plate 452: shown as “Imperial Porcelain Works”)

Franklin Survey Co.  1930.  Real Estate Plat‑Book of the City of Trenton and Borough of Princeton, Mercer County, New Jersey. Franklin Survey Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Plate 35: shown as “East Trenton Pottery”)