Prior to purchasing Italian Pottery Marks From Cantagalli To Fornasetti, my knowledge of Italian ceramics consisted of vague references to Cantagalli or Ginori with a huge crevasse of nothingnesss inbetween. To put it simply, I was completely ignorant of the amazing craftmanship and quality inate within the 19th and 20th century Italian ceramic community. While perusing on ebay I saw things that I liked but had no idea of provenience or age, whether they were fakes or what they were worth. While the Del Pellegrino's book does not give book values of items (which have little meaning in today's changing market), they provide the reader with excellent history, pictures, descriptions and a plethora of maker's marks. I have since purchased Cantagalli, Santarelli, S.C.U., Piediluco M.C.P. (my favorite), and I.C.S. pottery for far less than it is worth. I can now spot fakes, recognize the masters, and have started a collection of 19th and 20th century Italian ceramics that I hope one day will be shown in one of Walter and Karen's books. I applaude their efforts and am eternally grateful to them for opening me up to a world previously unknown. Anyone interested in Italian ceramics or 19th and 20th century ceramics in general should purchase this book. I guarantee you will not regret it.

This little book is very useful for quickly looking up Italian marks. It’s small but has more marks than much larger and more expensive books. I’m happy to have added this book to my pottery reference library.

This is the most informative book I have found on Italian Pottery Marks. Excellent pictures of Italian marks. I have been able to identify many Italian marks with this book. It is a must for the Italian Pottery collector or dealer. Also includes some very fascinating Italian history. Love it!!

This identification guide is of great help for the collector of Italian faience. It covers the needs of those who are collecting the more recent pieces. As I am not waiting for another guide full of marks that you only can find on antique pieces - you cannot buy anymore - this guide, that is still a work in progress, has helped me a lot more. The given information is adequate.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU MILLE GRAZIE!!!!!!
I learned about your book while searching on eBay from another seller! I received it today. It is all I hoped it would be. I spent weeks trying to research a massive ICS lamp. I was lucky to get a really great price but the buyer (from Italy) did not want to give up any information...so I kept hounding him.
I have been keeping a watch on two figurines that I will purchase tomorrow...because of your book. Thanks so much for filling a much needed resource of information.
Now that I have become an official Italian pottery fanatic, I will be shopping with your book in my handbag at all times.

Art and literature are man's creative expressions of his own times and these authors do well at presenting the reader with historical fact pertaining to Italy and its provinces from 1850-1950. This historical background provides the reader with an understanding of the redevelopment, interest, and appreciation of the Italian pottery produced since the 1850's. The authors then present us with the various schools of art and the types of work produced from those masters. Wonderful color illustrations provide the reader with examples of subjects covered by the authors.
Perhaps the best surprise of all is found towards the end of the book in the index of pottery marks and the manufacturers' history. To date, there is no other book offered in English for the pottery collector or dealer to reference for Italian pieces. This remarkable book has been long overdue in the pottery world and is most welcomed among the community of dealers and collectors alike. To the authors' credit, the book reads quickly and is easily absorbed. This is a MUST HAVE book for any pottery/ceramic reference library! This is a two thumbs up and five star review with kudos to the authors!
B.Boaz

Italian Pottery Marks From Cantagalli To Fornasetti, I predict, will be an instant best-seller among those who buy, sell, and collect fine ceramics. Until now, identifying Italian pieces from this very important period (1850-1950) was a crap shoot; few books contain information on these ceramics, and most of those are in Italian, rare, and pricey.

The Del Pellegrinos' handbook plugs that deep black hole nicely. The scholarship and bookcraft are excellent -- it looks as good as it reads! In fact, I read it all at one sitting, and enjoyed the pictures as much as the well written and engaging text. Examples of makers marks -- which, thankfully, include many photos -- are accompanied by much useful data on the potters/companies, and illustrations of various types of Italian ceramics from this era are sprinkled throughout the book. The Del Pellegrinos also include a good overview of the artistic history of the subject period, as well as a compact section on research sources.

In sum, this reference is a valuable contribution to the appreciation of Italian pottery and porcelain of that period, and will interest collectors of later work as well. A vade mecum for sure!