Antique Pot Lid Collector

John's Pot Lid & Jar Gallery

By John Foumakis


Collecting British Pratt Jars, Pot Lids & Ware

George Baxter’s 1835 polychrome printing method, using multiple engraved plates, inspired ceramic color printing by 1845. F & R Pratt and Co., led by Felix Edwards Pratt and engraver Jesse Austin, refined this for ceramics, dissecting designs into 3-4 color-specific copper plates. Colors were transferred via tissue onto raw pottery, fired, then re-fired for gold details. This costly process (1845–1880) yielded ~450 designs, reissued until 1963 (later versions differ in color/texture).

Pot lids, initially functional, became Victorian art, advertising products like Bear’s Grease (bear motifs) or cold cream (winter scenes). Companies such as Crosse & Blackwell commissioned decorative lids, often framed for preservation, now rare and valuable. Early examples with vivid, precise colors are prized.

Collectors value lids for historical and artistic merit, documented in guides by Clarke, Ball, and Mortimer. Contrasting modern disposability, these lids reflect meticulous craftsmanship, with rarer, undamaged examples (or those with original decorative pots) commanding high prices. Quality and rarity drive collectibility, blending utility and artistry.
Rare Copland & Co Great Exhibition Pratt Jar.

Mortimer Value £500-£600
Scarce Pratt Jar
Uncle Tom & Eva

Mortimer Value £150-£250
Rare Pratt Lid with mottled edge and gold lined

Mortimer Value £500-£800

LINKS

LINKS:  If you have any WARE that you wish to indentify or even appraised, please click the link here to be directed to David & Helen's Prattware Pottery Site

NEW BOOK: Author, Jeff Kinsell has very graciously allowed us to share his recent publication of "American Pot Lids"  please click on this link to read and peruse his book.  American Pot Lids by Jeff Kinsell - https://anyflip.com/mcjpw/uvck

Wanted to Buy!

John is constantly on the look out for quality items. If you have any items at all that may be of interest or similar to the items pictured on this page, please contact him. Or alternatively, if you would like a free appraisal he would only be too happy to oblige.
Contact John

Very Rare, Harriet Beecher Stowe produced by the Mayer Factory to commemorate
her visit to the United Kingdom in 1856. She was the author of Uncle Toms Cabin
Mortimer Value £1000+

Another view of the same jars. Quite possibly commission by Jules Hauel of Philadelphia who won several prizes at the Great Exhibition

Crystal Palace or Great Exhibition of 1851 Jars. They come in three sizes and are regarded as rare. Although many seem to have been exported to the USA. Mortimer Value £1000-£1500 but several sold for less in recent times

Rare Samuel Banger Shrimp Sauce Manufacture Pratt lid which
comes in two sizes. This being the smaller. Mortimer Value £350-450

Hill & Ledger Royal Australasian Sauce. Commonly found in Australia.



Mortimer Value
£500-£800

Crimean ware scene depicting the "Fleet at Anchor".




Mortimer Value
£500-£600

Crimean ware scene depicting the "Battle of Alma". Dated 1854




Mortimer Value
£500-£600

Commission item made to order Turquoise ground with gold embellishments make this a very desirable item.

Mortimer Value
£800-£1000

Pratt, Mayer & Ridgway Jars

Original John Gosnell Cherry Tooth Paste Pot Lid and base with contents. advertising sleeve and underside label

Underside of lid showing "Directions for Use". All Pot Lids with original seals and labels are very rare

Pratt, Mayer & Ridgway Pot Lids