Winterthur announces the launch of Patriotic America, a free interactive online exhibition. Winterthur, the Transferware Collectors Club, and Historic New England have joined forces to develop this new online exhibition, which will be launched on October 23, 2011.

 Patriotic America will serve as the definitive database of early English printed pottery with 19th-century images celebrating the new United States. Made between 1818 and 1830, these dark blue printed wares have captivated collectors for centuries. They are revered because they illustrate important places and commemorate historical events of the early republic. The advent of the online exhibition offers a fascinating look into early America and will be accessible to a wide and varied audience.

“Winterthur’s collection is uniquely relevant to this exhibition. We have partnered with great collectors whose holdings of rare and seldom-seen examples of printed dark blue Staffordshire make this an event of significant proportion,” says Pat Halfpenny, a project leader and former director of collections at Winterthur. “By putting the exhibition in an online forum, we are able to share scholarly insight and connect with people regardless of geographical boundaries. The friendliness of the content will appeal to all levels of interest and expertise.”

Patriotic America offers a comprehensive set of images of America in the 1820s, documenting a time of great celebration in the country. In 1815, when trade between America and England resumed following the War of 1812, Staffordshire potters were eager to regain access to one of their most lucrative markets. This virtual exhibition brings together the production of more than twelve British potters who created an aesthetic that would be desirable to Americans eager to purchase objects highlighting their growing nation. Many of the images were inspired by paintings and engravings depicting the new nation’s remarkable landscape and notable architecture. Succeeding generations have treasured these wares, and they survive as a testament to the skills of the Staffordshire potter and the patriotism of his American consumer.

Both the pottery and the source prints that inspired them are certain to be of interest to a broad range of ceramic enthusiasts, historians, and archaeologists.

For more information, visit winterthur.org/PA.