Sign alphabet exhibition – a Mug with the Manual Alphabet

Mug with manual alphabet

This mug has no maker’s mark, but similar earthenware mugs from Staffordshire with what appears to be the same sign transfer pattern, have been dated to the early 19^th Century, ca. 1820 and ca. 1840.

Note how the ‘Q’ differs from the later sign alphabet.

The mug was donated to the Library by Mrs P.J. Bierschenk over twenty years ago. Click on images for a larger size.