Books and Resources
One of your first sources for information about Shelley and Wileman should be the magazines and newsletters of the NSCC and our sister Shelley collecting clubs in the UK and Australia. Back issues are generally available through each of our websites.
The following publications pertain solely to Shelley and Wileman Potteries and are highly recommended for your Shelley library. Some of them may be out of print and no longer available through the publisher. The internet is a good source to look for your copy, or try your local library.
SHELLEY POTTERY: THE LATER YEARS This 237 page hardcover book is a necessary addition to the Shelley library. From the forward by Alan Shelley (great-grandson of founder Joseph B. Shelley), the preface where the author describes his involvement with and love of Shelley, and the inclusion of black-and-white photographs of Shelley production and advertising, the reader becomes absorbed. Featuring the years from 1939 to 1966, this reference book includes general information on cup shapes, and has chapters on bestware, ideal china, seconds patterns, and nursery ware. It includes lists of pattern numbers and descriptions along with 32 color plates. With an added glossary of terms and information on nursery ware and giftware, the reader is given an excellent portrayal of the later years of Shelley pottery. This book is a must for any collector of 1939 and later Shelley. Heather Publications Ltd. 1997 |
THE SHELLEY STYLE This reference book is an excellent guide for those interested in the Shelley productions between 1910-1940. In the 194 pages of this softcover book, the author explains the Foley, Wileman, and Shelley connections and illustrates teaware shapes and pattern numbers. The next chapters, accompanied by excellent color pictures, pattern numbers, dates, and descriptions, give detailed information on the Queen Anne, Vogue, Mode, Eve, and Regent shapes. The author also includes chapters on special, ideal and seconds, the composition of tea sets, rarity, nursery ware and earthenware. This reference book closes with three easily-referenced appendices on backstamps, china, and earthenware patterns. For the collector who has particular interest in this specific 30 year period of Shelley, this text is an invaluable source. Jazz Publications Limited 1990 |
WILEMAN A softcover publication of 150 pages containing a complete history of Wileman from the 1860’s to 1910, including the early history of the Foley Potteries. Many excellent full color plates illustrating the wide range of china and earthenware produced by Wileman. Listing of Wileman pattern numbers with descriptions of each pattern, and date produced. Jazz Publications Limited 1995 |
SHELLEY POTTERIES Excellent history of the Wileman and Shelley Potteries from the earliest days until the closing of Shelley Potteries in 1966. Includes 20 full color plates of rare Intarsio and lusterware items in the authors’ collections, photographs of Shelley family members and factory production, black-and-white illustrations, and pages from the pattern books. First published in 1980 by Barrie & Jenkins Postscript Mail Order 1994 |
SHELLEY CHINTZ A pictorial delight, this 136 page hardcover book is a must for the Shelley chintz collector. The author photographed the chintz of fellow club members, viewed the pattern books in the archives of Royal Doulton, and consulted with many Shelley experts. An interesting addition is the inclusion of a litho sheet, description of the process of its transfer to china, and the resulting Maytime chintz pattern exclusive to Shelley. With its four chapters covering the period from 1885-1966, the avid chintz collector has detailed descriptions, color photos of all chintz patterns known to date, and excerpts from the pattern books. Of special note are the photographs of Shelley family members and workers in the Shelley factory along with personal anecdotes from some of those pictured. Thaxted Cottage Publishers 1999 |
COLLECTING SHELLEY POTTERY The reader’s attention is drawn to this 122 page softcover book by its front cover which pictures “Cottage 2” by Shelley. The book is ideal for the beginning collector as the author gives an overview of the Shelley company through the years. The 63 pages of color illustrations are followed by detailed descriptions. Photos of Mabel Lucie Attwell nurseryware and figures are especially endearing. Also included are information on restoration, fakes, backstamps, and the role of the internet. Francis Joseph Publications 1999 |
SHELLEY TEA WARE PATTERNS A comprehensive 241 page hardcover encyclopedic guide to Shelley and Wileman pattern names from the 1860’s to 1966. Included are pattern numbers, names, dates produced, backstamps, shapes and quality range. Many pattern numbers do not include descriptions, so if your piece of china does not have a pattern number, you may not be able to find it in this book. The pattern numbers are listed in numeric order, not necessarily chronological. Also included are many full-color photos of teaware, and line drawings of cup shapes, accompanied by color photos when possible. Schiffer Publishing Ltd. 2003 |
SHELLEY CHINA Featuring the collections of Lee Jones and Russ Nicholas, this 173 page hardcover book is a photographic price guide to more than 1,000 pieces of Shelley and Wileman china. Organized by types of ware beginning with A for “ashtray” and ending with V for “vase”, this guide provides a handy reference for the novice and experienced collector alike. A brief history of the company is followed by a discussion of types of ware, backstamps, factory flaws, repairs and fakes, which is a topic of current interest today. Schiffer Publishing Ltd. 2001 |
MORE SHELLEY CHINA This book expands upon the above-listed “Shelley China” price guide, and features 580 photographs of previously unseen Shelley and Wileman china from the collections of the authors. They describe the process of making fine bone china “from a lump of clay”. Also included is a section comparing similar cup shapes with instructions on how to tell them apart. Containing a wide variety of tableware pieces, tea and coffee sets, vases and organized alphabetically starting with Ashtrays and ending with Wileman, this guide is an interesting reading experience and a photographic delight. Schiffer Publishing Ltd. 2003 ISBN #0-7643-1741-5 |
THE OLDEST CRAFT IN THE WORLD A complete description of how Shelley china was produced in all its steps. Contains numerous excellent early black and white photos of all the processes. This 45 page booklet was originally priced at one shilling and was often given out free for public relations purposes. Very difficult to find today; look for it on the internet. Warwick Savage, Printers c. 1940’s |
SHELLEY & WILEMAN CRESTED MINIATURES Complete catalog with numbers, descriptions, and pictures of every shape of Shelley and Wileman crested miniatures, together with pictures of Shelley parian busts, gems, small jugs, and pictures of back stamps used on the above. This 32 page booklet is small enough that it could be carried along while antiquing and is a necessary addition to the library of anyone interested in crested miniatures. Copyright 2007 by the Australasian Shelley Collectors Club (www.shelleyclub.com) and The Shelley Group (www.shelley.co.uk). |
POCKET BOOK OF WILEMAN & SHELLEY CUP SHAPES, 3rd edition An essential reference for all serious collectors of Wileman and Shelley china and earthenware. It is approximately 4 x 6 inches and contains 32 pages of information including: color pictures of all known china cup shapes for Wileman & Co. and Shelley Potteries, including several new shapes, found since the second edition; Wileman & Co, Shelley and J. F. Wileman earthenware cup shapes; information about dates of manufacture, diameters of tea cups and the correct matching saucer shapes; pictures of a range of Wileman and Shelley horns, beakers and mugs; pictures of common backstamps and the dates they were in use; and an outline history of the Wileman and Shelley Potteries. Copyright 2017 |
THE SHAPE BOOK 130 page softcover book with black-and-white photos of all known china and earthenware shapes produced by the Shelley and Wileman companies, showing the appropriate saucer on the same page as the cup shape. Descriptions and dates of production are included. The photos show the cups nearly actual size which makes it easy to see small differences in cup shapes that resemble one another. Copyright 2000 |
A COLLECTORS' GUIDE TO WILEMAN AND SHELLEY 'INTARSIO' By Les Foley with introduction by Janet Stiff 33 page comprehensive guide to Wileman and Shelley Intarsio including four pages of history on Intarsio, both First Series and Second Series. This booklet includes full color pictures of hundreds of Intarsio items all done in scale of 1/7 and a listing of all known Intarsio items made. The listing includes number, shape number, size in centimeters, decoration description, and design number. The photos are a visual feast. This book is an absolute must for any collector or lover of Intarsio. Copyright 2010 Published by Les Foley in the UK Available for sale through the Shelley Group website for 16 GBP at www.shelley.co.uk ISBN 978-0-9563517-0-8 |
MAYBELL LUCIE ATTWELL This 160-page guide is a comprehensive study of Mabel Lucie Attwell’s association with Shelley Pottery, covering the period of 1926-1966. Packed with hundreds of full-color photographs, it includes correspondence between Mabel Lucie Attwell (MLA)and Shelley Potteries from the 1940’s-1950’s. Having access to the family archives through the artist’s great-grandson, the author is able to include hitherto unpublished information. The photographs include both ware that was actually produced, and prototypes that were never produced. The book includes a biography of MLA, photographs of all series that were produced (Series 1-5), MLA designs by other manufacturers, fakes and similar non-MLA designs, MLA figurines including different colorways, charts with trim colors and variations, and charts with measurements of every known piece.
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By Chris Davenport, A Collectors Guide.jpg)
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A Collectors Guide.jpg)
The History and Production of a Staffordshire Family of Potters.jpg)
Unlocking the Secrets of the Pattern Books.jpg)
By Robert Prescott-Walker.jpg)
By Sheryl Burdess.jpg)
By Tina Skinner & Jeffrey B. Snyder.jpg)
By Lee Jones and Russ Nicholas.jpg)
Written and published by Shelley Potteries Ltd..jpg)
Written and published by the Australasian Shelley Collectors Club Inc. and The Shelley Group of the UK
Australasian Shelley Collectors Club.jpg)
Published by The Shelley Group.jpg)
The following books contain sections which cover Shelley or Wileman in part and are listed for the benefit of those with a particular interest in a chosen subject:
GIFTS FOR GOOD CHILDREN Nursery ware lovers will enjoy a large section on Shelley nursery ware. 1997 |
JELLY MOULDS This 64 page booklet from the Antique Pocket Guide series covers the entire range of moulds, especially porcelain. Most Shelley moulds are shown and described in some detail, although the Shelley pages are less than four. 1997 |
CRESTED CHINA This is a general publication on crestware miniatures and is one of the better ones. Most of the Shelley 500 varieties of crestware are listed here along with the other big producers of crestware. Shelley’s niche in this 20-year era of production is quite well presented. 1980 |
SHROEDER’S ANTIQUES PRICE GUIDE An excellent resource updated and printed every year. The highlight is the section on Shelley pieces and prices, written by one of our club members. This softcover publication is typically around 600 pages and can be found at antique and collectible shows. Collector Books |
THE CHARLTON STANDARD CATALOGUE OF CHINTZ, 3rd EDITION Softcover book containing 14 pages on Shelley chintz. Closeups of chintz patterns are shown but no photos of Shelley teaware. 1999 |
CHINTZ CERAMICS Hardcover book on English chintz ceramics with 12 pages on Shelley chintz, showing full color photos of teaware and some pages from the pattern books. Schiffer Publishing Ltd. 1998 |
ART DECO from MILLER’S ANTIQUES CHECKLISTS This 192 page softcover, pocket size book contains many pictures and descriptions of Shelley art deco. Art Deco specialists will love this booklet. Viking Studio Books 1991 |
AN ILLUSTRATED DICTIONARY OF CERAMICS An excellent reference and source of information about ceramics and other forms of pottery and china. With 320 pages, over 3000 terms defined, and more than 600 pictures, this book will help anyone understand terms used to describe a type of china or production method that was used by Shelley and other manufacturers. Originally written in 1974 and reprinted in 2000. Thames & Hudson Press 2000 |
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The History of Children’s China, Part II 1890-1990.jpg)
Sally Kevill-Davies.jpg)
By Susan Scott.jpg)
By Jo Anne P. Welsh.jpg)
By George Savage and Harold Newman