June Feature Books

 Bottle Ovens and the Story of the Final Firing by Terry Woolliscroft and Pam Woolliscroft

In 1978 Gladstone Pottery Museum in Stoke-on-Trent had the audacious idea of firing a potters' bottle oven, with coal, for the very last time. This traditional way of firing pottery had ended in the early 1960s with the introduction of the Clean Air Act. Before all the knowledge and skills of firing a bottle oven were consigned to history the museum embarked on a project which proved to be an enormous undertaking, massively complex and tremendously daunting. This book, published in the 40th anniversary year, tells the story of The Last Bottle Oven Firing. More information.

History of the Staffordshire Potteries, by Simeon Shaw

Available as a PDF download. A classic publication, still referenced by researchers. Download here.