Sanfords Guide to Nicodemus by Jim Riebel

Table of Contents

A sleeper awakens. Discerning collectors have been purchasing the wares of Chester Nicodemus for a number of years from knowledgeable dealers but, without printed reference material, that collecting has been intuitive and unnoticed by many. That situation changes with the publication of this useful book.

This author, who has been collecting and researching for twenty tears (including visits with Nicodemus who died in 1990). Breaks the contents into logical categories: advertising pieces, animals, ashtrays, bookends, busts, Christmas items, college pieces, dinnerware, flower arrangers, fountains, planters, plaques, religious items, statues, vases and wall vases. What I especially like about this book is that, when items were not available for photographing (almost 400 objects are shown in color), black-and- white images form the catalogs were used, which enables the reader to identify dozens of additional pieces.

The book concludes with a clear color-photographed mark section, information on the glazes, and a price guide where pieces are listed by name, rather than position on the page.

Nicodemus output falls into a category somewhere between a studio potter and commercial production. Although he employed some people to help fill molds and to clean the cast pieces which enabled him to support an operation with distribution to retail outlets, most of the work he did himself, such as designing, formulating gazes and even making his own equipment, as in a studio operation. Consequently, his output is all the more desirable for its limited production.

If you love pottery, you will be charmed by Nicodemus talent as shown in this book.