National Porcelain 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    c. 1918 - 2002

Wares

ElectricalHardwareOtherSanitaryTableware

Electric porcelain (Industrial Directory 1927)

Bathroom fixtures (Industrial Directory 1931)

Electric porcelain, pyrometer tubes, radio insulators, insulators (Industrial Directory 1934)

Electrical porcelain, bathroom fixtures, pyrometer tubes & radio insulators (Industrial Directory 1938)

Electrical porcelain, bathroom fixtures, vases & miniature novelties & china (Industrial Directory 1940-41)

Notes

In February 1922, reported that the General Chinaware Corporation had acquired the Willets pottery plant.

— “New Concern Absorbs Willets Pottery.” 1922. Brick and Clay Record 60 (3):214.

Selected References

“New Concern Absorbs Willets Pottery.” 1922. Brick and Clay Record 60 (3):214.

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

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.

Schopp, Paul W. and David L. Weinberg. 2001. “National Ceramic Company, Trenton, New Jersey.” Trenton Potteries 2(1):1-5.

Hunter Research, Inc. 2005. “Historical and Archaeological Investigations at the Excelsior Pottery Site, Southard Street Bridge Replacement Project, City of Trenton, Mercer County, New Jersey.” Report on file, New Jersey Historic Preservation Office (NJDEP), Trenton, New Jersey.

Other firms at this site:

Other Names

National Porcelain Company; General Chinaware Company; General Chinaware Corporation; National Ceramic Company

Block and Lot:
46E-1/24, 53-68, 72, 76

Historic Street Address:
Brunswick Avenue near City Limits; Southard Street; 400 Southard Street

Municipality:
City of Trenton

Image Gallery

1959 National Ceramic Company, City of Trenton Tax Assessor’s Records, Trentoniana Collection
1959 National Ceramic Company, City of Trenton Tax Assessor’s Records, Trentoniana Collection
1959 National Ceramic Company, City of Trenton Tax Assessor’s Records, Trentoniana Collection
1959 National Ceramic Company, City of Trenton Tax Assessor’s Records, Trentoniana Collection
c. 1940 National Ceramic Company, City of Trenton Tax Assessor’s Records, Trentoniana Collection
National Porcelain Company electrical & mechanical porcelain & bathroom fixtures

Map Gallery

National Porcelain Company 1927 Sanborn Map
National Porcelain Co, 1930 Franklin
National Porcelain 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.  (Vol. 1, plate 62: shown as “National Porcelain Co.”)

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 32: shown as “National Porcelain Co.”)

Sanborn Map Company.  1955.  Insurance Maps of the City of Trenton, Mercer County, New Jersey, Volume 1.  Revised from 1927 map.  Sanborn Map Company, New York, New York.  (Shown as “National Ceramic Co.”)