Union Pottery

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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    1882-1895

Wares

Tableware

Decorated ware (Woodward and Hageman 1883:693)

Notes

“Since the reorganization of the Union Pottery Company there has been that marked change in the character of the concern and the goods made that is always observable where different men take hold of the helm. The change in this case has been decidedly for the better, as Mr. Lee and Mr. Pope have profited by the experience they have gained from several years of practical work in their respective departments, and they have made an unquestioned success of their combined management of the Union Pottery during the short time that it has been under their direction.” 

— “Among the Potters.” Trenton Evening Times, Sunday, November 15, 1885.

Selected References

“The Union Pottery Company Reorganized.” Trenton Evening Times, Monday, June 29, 1885.

“Among the Potters.” Trenton Evening Times, Sunday, November 15, 1885.

“To Start a Decorating Shop.” Trenton Evening Times, Sunday, December 16, 1888.

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

Podmore, Harry J. 1956. “Union Pottery Co. Succeeded New Jersey Pottery.” Sunday Times Advertiser, November 11, 1956.

Podmore, Harry J. 1961. “Union Pottery Works Sold July 1892.” Sunday Times Advertiser, July 30, 1961.

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

Union Pottery Company

Block and Lot:
39-1B/1

Historic Street Address:
Muirhead Avenue near Pennsylvania Railroad; Muirhead Avenue near Pennsylvania and Bound Brook Railroad; Railroad Avenue near Clinton

Municipality:
City of Trenton

Map Gallery

Union Pottery Company, 1886 Sanborn Map
Union Pottery Company, 1890 Scarlett & Scarlett Map
Union Pottery Company, 1890 Sanborn Map
Map References

Sanborn, D. A. 1874.   Insurance Diagrams of Trenton. Corrected to 1886.  D.A. Sanborn, New York, New York.  (Plate 13: shown as “Union Pottery Co.”)

Sanborn‑Perris Map Company.  1890.   Insurance Maps of the City of Trenton, Mercer County, New Jersey. Sanborn‑Perris Map Company, New York, New York.  (Plate 15: shown as “Union”)

Scarlett & Scarlett.  1890.   Scarlett & Scarlett’s Fire Insurance Map of Mercer County.  Scarlett & Scarlett, Newark, New Jersey.  (Plate 57: shown as “Union Pottery”)