Rockingham Pottery
The term 'Rockingham' is used rather freely to describe a multitude of different types and styles of pottery and porcelain. Some of them were produced at the Swinton Factory and some of them were not. Even when the firm was in production there was a flourishing trade in fakes. This isn't helped by the fact that there were a variety of different makers' marks used over the years of production. Some of these are clear and unequivocal and some are not. I don't intend to reproduce them here.
If you want to know the likely value of your precious pieces my best advice is to enquire amongst your local auctioneers and antique shops to see if any of them provide a free valuation service. If your porcelain turns out to worth a King's Ransom remember to get a written valuation and let your insurance company know, or like most people sell it and have a fantastic holiday! Alternatively you can wait for the next visit of the Antiques Road Show. In the UK you can usually just go along on the day. In the US I understand that you need to apply for tickets when the Roadshow is visiting your area.
Rockingham Ware Museum Displays
There is a good collection of Rockingham Pottery in Clifton Park Museum. Galleries entitled "Made in Swinton" have been opened to display the largest public collection of Rockingham Porcelain in the world. This includes the very ugly but presumably very precious Rhinoceros Vase, which was a showpiece item produced to display the virtuosity of the craftsmen.
Doncaster Museum and Lotherton Hall near Leeds also house important collections of Rockingham Ware.
In 2011 a new website Rotherham Rockingham Collection has been set at rotherham.hydracreative.com. This website gives you the unique opportunity to view the Rockingham Pattern Book bought by Rotherham Museums Galleries and Heritage with generous assistance from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Rockingham Pottery Bibliography
There may be more but these are the one that I have read or at least flicked through.
