Ever picked up a piece of pottery at an antique shop and wondered if you’re holding genuine Rookwood? I’ve been collecting for years, and let me tell you, once you understand the marking system, you’ll spot authentic pieces like a pro.
Today I’m sharing my complete guide to Rookwood marks, from the earliest hand-carved signatures to modern-day stamps.
Table of Contents
The Birth of American Art Pottery
Let’s start with some context. Maria Longworth Nichols founded Rookwood Pottery in 1880 in Cincinnati, Ohio, making it the first manufacturing company in the United States established by a woman. She named it after the rooks (crows) on her father’s estate, adding “wood” as a nod to Wedgwood pottery.
For the first two years, Rookwood didn’t have a standardized marking system. Artists simply carved their initials or painted the company name on pieces. But in 1882, everything changed. The company began developing the systematic marking approach that makes dating Rookwood so precise today.
Pre-1882: The Wild West of Rookwood Marks
If you’re lucky enough to find pottery from Rookwood’s first two years, here’s exactly what to look for:
Hand-Painted and Incised Marks
The earliest pieces feature hand-painted signatures in underglaze or marks carved (incised) directly into the wet clay.
You might see:“Rookwood Pottery 1881 GND” with decorator initials
The Mysterious RPCOMLN Mark
One of my favorite early marks is “R.P.C.O.M.L.N”
This mark appears on some of Rookwood’s most exclusive early pieces. If you find one, you’ve got something special!
Rare Stamped Symbols (1881-1883)
Rookwood experimented with several stamped marks during these early years:
The Anchor Mark
Used before 1883, this anchor symbol was either stamped or created in relief. It often had a transparent slip coating.
The Scroll Mark
An extremely rare mark reading “Rookwood Pottery Cin” in a decorative scroll design. I’ve only seen three authentic examples in my years of collecting.
The Kiln Marks: Two variations exist:
A colored stamp showing a kiln with rooks and branches on both sides (1883-1887)
A simpler kiln outline impressed before bisque firing (1883-1887)
The Address Mark
From 1882-1885, some pieces bear an oval stamp with “Rookwood Pottery, 207 Eastern Avenue, Cincinnati” and the year.
1882-1886: The Block Letter Era
In 1882, Rookwood introduced their first standardized mark: “ROOKWOOD” in block capital letters with the year underneath. These impressed marks changed annually through 1886.
Look for:
- Deep, clear impressions in the clay
- Arabic numerals for the year (1882, 1883, etc.)
- Sometimes a brown or black slip border around the mark
1886: The Birth of the Iconic RP Mark
Here’s where things get exciting. In 1886, Rookwood created their now-famous logo: a reversed R joined with a regular P at their spines. This stylized monogram became the foundation for all future Rookwood marks.
The reversed R might look strange at first, but once you see it, you’ll never forget it. The two letters share a common backbone, creating an elegant, distinctive mark.
1887-1900: The Famous RP Flame Mark
Here’s what you really want to know. In 1886, Rookwood introduced their iconic mark: a reversed R joined with the letter P. The R is backwards and its spine connects with the P. This became their signature look.
But wait, it gets better. Starting in 1887, they added a single flame above the RP mark. Then every year after that, they added another flame. So if you find a piece and want to date it, just count the flames!
One flame means 1887. Two flames mean 1888. By 1900, you’ll see 14 flames spreading around the top of the RP mark. Pretty clever dating system, right?
1901-1967: The Roman Numeral Years
Once they reached 14 flames in 1900, Rookwood couldn’t add more without cluttering the design. Their solution? Roman numerals below the flame mark.
Reading Roman Numeral Dates
The Roman numerals indicate years after 1900. Here’s how to decode them:
- I (1901)
- V (1905)
- X (1910)
- XV (1915)
- XX (1920)
- XXV (1925)
- XXX (1930)
- XXXV (1935)
- XL (1940)
For example, if you see XXIX, that’s 29, meaning 1929. A piece marked XLII is from 1942.
Depression Era Marks
During the 1930s and early 1940s, you might notice the marks appear less crisp. The economic hardship affected production quality, and marks from this era often look shallower or slightly blurred.
Understanding the Complete Mark System
Now here’s where Rookwood gets really sophisticated. Besides the date mark, you’ll find multiple codes telling the complete story of each piece.
Shape Numbers: The Mold Registry
Directly under the date, you’ll see a number ranging from 1 to 7301. This identifies the specific mold or form used.
Size Letters: From Tiny to Tremendous
Next to the shape number, look for a letter A through F:
- A: Largest size (sometimes over 20 inches)
- B: Large (15-20 inches typically)
- C: Medium-large (12-15 inches)
- D: Medium (8-12 inches)
- E: Small (5-8 inches)
- F: Miniature (under 5 inches)
The same shape could be produced in multiple sizes. A Shape 925C is the medium-large version of that form.
Clay Body Marks: The Hidden Color Code
Rookwood used various clay bodies, each marked with a specific letter:
Common Clay Marks:
- W: White clay body (also indicates Iris glaze after 1894)
- R: Red clay (iron-rich, darker when fired)
- Y: Yellow clay (cream to golden tones)
- G: Ginger clay (warm brown tones)
- S: Sage green clay (grayish-green)
- O: Olive clay (deeper green)
- P: Soft porcelain (introduced 1915)
Glaze Marks: The Beauty Secret
Rookwood’s glazes made them famous. Look for these marks:
Major Glaze Types:
- V: Vellum (1904-1948) Matte, translucent finish perfect for landscapes
- G: Sea Green (1894-1910) Glossy blue-green, often with silver overlay
- W: Iris (1894-1912) Cloudy white to clear, shows underglaze painting beautifully
- Z: Mat/Matte (1901-1940s) Flat finish, popular for Arts & Crafts style
Process and Quality Marks
These marks tell you about production methods and quality control:
Special Process Marks:
- S before shape number: Made from a sketch or special design
- S alone: Display or demonstration piece
- X beside shape number: Experimental or trial piece
- X ground into glaze: Second quality (factory second)
- X with a line through it: Gift shop special
- U: Unique piece with no series number
- Y after shape number: Architectural department
- T: Trial glaze
Anniversary and Special Edition Marks:
- 50th Anniversary mark (1930): Special flame variation
- Diamond mark: Limited edition series
- Circle with dot: Artist proof
Finisher’s Marks: The Final Touch
Small geometric symbols indicate who “finished” a piece:
- Dot (•): Cast piece finished by production team
- Triangle (△): Wheel-thrown piece finished by thrower
- Cross (+): Special finish by master craftsman
- Square (□): Architectural piece finish
These marks appear in different positions around the base, as each finisher had their preferred spot.
Artist Signatures: Where Value Lives
Here’s the exciting part for collectors. Artist-signed pieces are worth significantly more than unsigned production pieces. Sometimes 10 to 100 times more!
Here are some of the Rookwood pottery artists and their marks:
The Turbulent Years: 1941-1967
The Great Depression devastated Rookwood. They filed for bankruptcy on April 17, 1941, ending an era. But the story didn’t end there.
Post-Bankruptcy Marks (1941-1959)
Various investor groups kept Rookwood alive. Marks from this period show:
- Less precise flame patterns
- Shallower impressions
- Sometimes missing Roman numerals
- Occasional “ROOKWOOD USA” additions
The Starkville Era (1960-1967)
When Herschede Clock Company bought Rookwood in 1959, they moved production to Starkville, Mississippi. This is crucial for dating:
Starkville Marks Include:
- Standard flame and date marks
- “Rookwood Pottery Starkville. Miss” impressed below
- Shape numbers continue from original series
- Quality generally lower than Cincinnati pieces
Only about 10,000 pieces were made during the Starkville years, making them oddly collectible despite lower quality.
The Revival Years: 1982-2005
Enter Dr. Arthur Townley, a Michigan dentist who bought Rookwood’s molds and trademarks in 1982.
Townley Era Characteristics
Major changes in marking:
- Flame mark continues
- Arabic numerals replace Roman numerals
- Date and shape numbers etched into glaze (not impressed)
- Limited to about 1,000 pieces annually
- Focused on figurines and small items
Identifying Townley Pieces
Look for:
- Scratched-looking marks (etched post-firing)
- Arabic year dates (82, 83, 94, etc.)
- Often includes “Townley” signature
- Glaze pooling around mark edges
Modern Rookwood: 2005-Present
Rookwood returned to Cincinnati in 2005. Today’s pieces use:
Contemporary Marking System
- Traditional flame mark
- Roman numerals beginning with MM (2000)
- MMXXIII = 2023, MMXXIV = 2024
- Artist signatures on handmade pieces
- “ROOKWOOD” impressed clearly
Special Modern Marks
- “HC”: Heritage Collection (reproductions of historic designs)
- “AC”: Artist Collection (one-of-a-kind pieces)
- “LE”: Limited Edition with edition numbers
Final Thoughts
I’ve spent years studying these marks, and they still fascinate me. Each mark tells a story about American art, industrial innovation, and the talented people who created these pieces. When you hold a piece of genuine Rookwood, you’re holding over a century of artistic tradition.
Keep this guide handy when you’re shopping. Print it out, bookmark it, or save it to your phone. The more you practice reading marks, the faster you’ll become at spotting authentic pieces.
Happy hunting! May you find that perfect piece of Rookwood that speaks to you. And when you do, you’ll know exactly what you’re holding.
