Germany / Baden-Wuerttemberg / Mannheim-Käfertal:

[1] : Rheinische Porzellan-Manufaktur Oscar Erck (1861 until 1882)

In 1861, Oscar Erck from the town of Oberkassel founded the porcelain factory in Käfertal, a suburb of the city of Mannheim.

[2] : Rheinische Porzellan-Manufaktur L. Herrmann (1882 until 1905)

In 1882 the factory was taken over by L. Herrmann who continued use of the basic mark itself and only changed the initials shown, mainly producing household items and beer steins. Shortly after the turn of the century Herrmann converted the company into a limited company and retired, leaving the business in the hands of a few selected directors.

[3] : Rheinische Porzellan-Fabrik G.m.b.H. (1905 until ????)

There really is not much information on this company, which is a quite a shame as Danckert, in his book Handbuch des Europäischen Porzellans (1992) states that the 'Rheinische Porzellanmanufaktur' was located in Oberkassel near Düsseldorf. The name itself could be coincidal but for that factory he also states 1861 as founding date and that it was taken over by 'L. Herrmann' in 1884(!). In the same text he then quotes the Adreßbuch der Karamikindustrie seit 1886 (issued 1971), claiming the company ceased existence in 1913.

During initial research on the factory I had stumbled over a nice bit of historic information: in all greater wars such things as simple soap were of course rationed as it included fat which was needed for the war effort. Many people tried to create a fatless soap using all kinds of material, and some porcelain and earthenware manufacturers actually created products offering an alternative. Now if you have a look at the marks section, the 'Rheinische Porzellan-Fabrik' was looking for a 'skilled employee' to create 'soap and soap relacements' through an ad in the 'Seifensieder-Zeitung' dated 1916.

Furthermore, various items clearly marked with 'Rheinische Porzellan-Fabrik, Mannheim' also indicate an existence up to at least 1920 as these items (like ashtrays, etc.) advertise goods not available before that date.

I therefore tend to believe that Oscar Erck actually owned two factories, both taken over by L. Herrmann who actually came from Mannheim. While the one Oberkassel closed in 1913, the one in Käfertal continued business at least up until 1920 ... I will of course try to find out more, but up until then please hold in mind that this is just an unproven theory.

Marks

Image 1-01

Used between 1861 and 1882, note the initials 'O.' and 'E.' left and right of the anchor.

Image 2-02

Used between 1882 and 1905, note the initials 'L.' and 'H.' left and right of the anchor.

Image 3-03

Newspaper advertisement from 1916 in which the R.P.F. is searching for an employee to make soap.
(Picture by Herald Gessinger)