Lyla Lindsey
If you're looking to identify the backstamp on china from Carlsbad, Austria, there are a few steps you can take. First, it's important to understand that most fine china features an identification mark that can help pinpoint the manufacturer, and sometimes, the date of the piece. These backstamps are usually found on the bottom or back of the piece and can include symbols, writing, or raised designs. In the case of china from Carlsbad, Austria, the backstamp can include the letters LS&S, which stand for Lewis Strauss & Sons, ceramic importers located in New York City. The mark was used between 1895 and 1917, and the china was sold in department stores like Macy's. Additionally, the backstamp may include the word Carlsbad inside a circle with Austria centred below. Knowing how to identify these backstamps can be useful when trying to determine the value and history of your china.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mark/Stamp | LS & S Carlsbad / Austria, L. S. & S. Carlsbad / Austria, Knox China, MZ China |
| Manufacturer | Lewis Strauss & Sons, importers located in NYC |
| Manufacturer Location | Austria |
| Manufacturer Time Period | 1895-1917, specifically 1910-1918 |
| Resale Value | Covered tureen without ladle: $110-$125; Covered butter/cheese dish: $20-$25; Oblong plate: $15-$20; Dinner plates: $30.00-$32.00 each; Salad plates: $15.00-$16.50 each; Small bowls: $14.00-$15.00 each |
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What You'll Learn
Lewis Strauss & Sons: importers of Austrian china to the US
Lewis Strauss & Sons, importers of Austrian china to the US, were ceramic importers located in New York City in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The LS & S mark was used between 1895 and 1917, and sometimes appeared inside a donut circle with Austria centred beneath. The company imported porcelain from Carlsbad, Austria, which was home to several ceramics manufacturers.
Carlsbad porcelain manufacturers specialised in producing special orders for importers such as Lewis Strauss & Sons, who then sold to department stores and retail establishments like Macy's in New York. Pieces bearing the LS & S Carlsbad backstamp include dinner plates, bread plates, soup bowls, saucers, tureens, butter/cheese dishes, and oblong plates. These pieces are estimated to be worth $15 to $32 each, depending on the type of dish.
Other china manufacturers in Carlsbad, Austria, include Knox China, whose products include small plates with gold-leafed edges and paintings of a man and woman dancing in Victorian dress in the centre. These plates are valued at a much higher price of $2000 each.
Another notable china company is Levi Strauss & Co., which was founded by German-Jewish immigrant Levi Strauss in San Francisco. The company initially imported clothing and expanded into manufacturing denim overalls and jeans in the 1870s. Levi Strauss & Co. experienced significant growth in the 1960s and 1970s, riding on the "blue jeans craze". The company continues to thrive today, with recent innovations like the "smart jacket" developed in partnership with Google.
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Marks used between 1895 and 1918
The LS & S Carlsbad stamp was used between 1895 and 1918. LS & S stands for Lewis Strauss & Sons, who were ceramic importers based in New York City. They imported Austrian china to the US in the early 20th century, specifically between 1910 and 1918. The stamp usually features LS & S and CARLSBAD inside a donut circle with AUSTRIA centred beneath the circle.
The stamp can be found on a variety of tableware, including dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, cups, saucers, platters, gravy boats, butter dishes, and serving dishes. The current market value of these items varies depending on the type of tableware, with dinner plates estimated at $30.00-32.00 each, and salad plates at $15.00-16.50 each, for example.
The LS & S Carlsbad stamp is sometimes accompanied by other marks, such as "Knox China", "Victoria", and "467".
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Carlsbad: home to several china manufacturers
China and ceramics are often stamped with a backstamp or hallmark that indicates the manufacturer, where it was made, and the date of production. These marks are often raised and can be found on the bottom or back of the item. Sometimes there will be more than one stamp, and these can indicate where the piece was manufactured and where it was painted and glazed.
Carlsbad in Austria was home to several china manufacturers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The town was to Austrian ceramics what Limoges is to French ceramics. Many of the manufacturers in Carlsbad specialised in producing special orders for importers such as Lewis Strauss & Sons (L.S. & S.), who were based in New York and sold to department stores and retail establishments such as Macy's.
L.S. & S. used the mark 'LS&S Carlsbad Austria' from 1895 to 1917, and then from 1910 to 1918. Pieces with this stamp can include dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, cups, saucers, platters, gravy boats, butter dishes, and serving dishes. The current market value of these pieces varies depending on the item, with dinner plates estimated at $30.00-32.00 each, salad plates at $15.00-16.50 each, and small bowls at $14.00-15.00 each.
Other manufacturers in Carlsbad include Knox China, which produced plates with gold-leafed edges made to look like lace, featuring a man and woman dancing in Victorian dress in the centre. These plates have been valued at $2000. Another manufacturer is Victoria Carlsbad Austria, which produced tea plates.
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Backstamps offer insight into the date of a piece
Backstamps are an important feature of antique china pieces. They are usually found on the bottom or back of the piece and can be identified by symbols, writing, or raised designs. These marks offer insight into the date of the piece, as most manufacturers changed their stamps every few years.
For example, LS & S Carlsbad Porcelain was in business in Austria in the early 1900s, and the mark with "LS & S Carlsbad" and "Austria" was used from 1910 to 1918. Therefore, if you find this backstamp on a china piece, you can estimate that it was manufactured during this time period.
There are several online resources available to help identify backstamps and their corresponding manufacturers. Websites like Kovels and Gotheborg.com offer libraries of backstamps, manufacturers, and additional information. Utilizing a magnifying glass or taking a photo and enlarging it digitally can also aid in the identification process by making the backstamp easier to read.
Additionally, understanding the type of china and its pattern can provide further clues about its value and history. China pieces with gold trim, for instance, were particularly popular from 1940 to 1950. By combining information from the backstamp, the pattern, and the overall style of the piece, you can gain a better understanding of your china's age and value.
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Use a magnifying glass to examine the details of the mark
Once you've identified the pattern and manufacturer of your china, you can visit a backstamp identification website to compare your mark to the stamps used by the manufacturer at various points. Using a magnifying glass to examine the backstamp can help you to see the finer details of the mark.
The backstamp is usually found on the bottom or back of the piece. It may include symbols, writing, or a raised design. A magnifying glass will help you to see the writing and identify any small details in the design. You can also use your phone to take a photo and then use your phone or computer to enlarge the image. You can even add contrast to the picture to make the stamp stand out if it's hard to read.
If your china is bone china, you can check the numerals within or near the hallmark. Genuine bone china has a three-to-four-number series as codes that identify the product. You can then look for the design and year on the manufacturer's website. Bone china is also known for its durability and thinness, so you can test its translucency by holding it up to the light or placing it over a flashlight in a dark room. If you can see light through it, it's likely bone china.
By examining the backstamp with a magnifying glass and comparing it to online examples, you can identify the manufacturer, date range, and pattern of your china.
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Frequently asked questions
The value of antique china is determined by its pattern, manufacturer, date, and condition. You can find out the manufacturer by looking for identification marks, backstamps, or hallmarks. Once you have this information, you can compare it to known patterns and date ranges to identify when and where your china was made. The value of your china will depend on these factors as well as its rarity and condition.
A backstamp is a mark, usually stamped on the underside of a piece of china, that indicates the manufacturer, pattern, date, or location of production. Backstamps can also indicate where the piece was decorated or glazed. Most fine china will have a backstamp, but some very early pieces may not.
To identify a backstamp, first, locate the mark on the underside of your china. You may need to use a magnifying glass or take a photo and enlarge the image to see the details of the stamp. Then, compare the stamp to known backstamps from the manufacturer. You can use a website like Gotheborg.com to find photographs of backstamps and information about manufacturers.
