J.H. Balmer Company

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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    1926-1955+

Wares

HardwareSanitary

China bathroom accessories (Industrial Directory 1927)

Porcelain parts (Industrial Directory 1931)

China bathroom accessories (Industrial Directory 1934)

Bathroom accessories (Industrial Directory 1938)

Bathroom accessories, towel racks, soap holders (Industrial Directory 1940-41)

Selected References

Fitzgerald, Thomas F. 1926-1938.  Fitzgerald’s Trenton and Mercer County Directory, Together with a Directory of Bordentown, Burlington, Mount Holly and Lambertville, NJ.  Thomas F. Fitzgerald, Trenton, New Jersey.

New Jersey Bureau of Statistics and Records, Department of Labor. 1927.  The Industrial Directory of New Jersey.  Trenton, New Jersey.

New Jersey Bureau of Statistics and Records, State Department of Labor. 1931.  The Industrial Directory of New Jersey.  Trenton, New Jersey.

New Jersey Bureau of Statistics and Records, State Department of Labor. 1934.  The Industrial Directory of New Jersey.  Trenton, New Jersey.

New Jersey Bureau of Statistics and Records, State Department of Labor. 1938.  The Industrial Directory of New Jersey.  Trenton, New Jersey.

New Jersey Bureau of Statistics and Records, State Department of Labor. 1940-41.  The Industrial Directory of New Jersey.  Trenton, New Jersey.

City of Trenton Tax Assessor Records. On file, Trenton Public Library, Trenton, New Jersey.

Other Names

J.H. Balmer Company; J.H. Balmer

Historic Street Address:
St. Joes Avenue and Mulberry Street; 101 Mulberry Street; 105 Mulberry Street

Municipality:
City of Trenton

Map Gallery

J. H. Balmer Company, 1927 Sanborn Map
J. H. Balmer Company, 1955 Sanborn Map
Map References

Sanborn Map Company.  1927.  Insurance Maps of the City of Trenton, Mercer County, New Jersey. Sanborn Map Company, New York, New York.

Sanborn Map Company.  1955.  Insurance Maps of the City of Trenton, Mercer County, New Jersey, Volume 3.  Revised from 1927 map.  Sanborn Map Company, New York, New York. (Vol. 3, plate 444: shown as “J.H. Balmer Co. China Fixtures”)

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 36: shown as “J.H. Balmer Co.”)