Germany / Bavaria / Schwarzenhammer (Thierstein-Schwarzenhammer):

[1] : Porzellanfabrik Schumann & Schreider (1905 until 1986)

This factory was founded in 1905 by Christoph Schumann (brother of Carl Schumann I, see Porzellanfabrik Carl Schumann) and his father-in-law Karl August Schreider, a wealthy land owner. In 1913 it already had 150 employees and specialized on utility ware including many reticulated porcelain items decorated in the 'Strohblume' (Strawflower) and 'Zwiebelmuster' (Blue Onion) styles. The company slowly expanded until it had around 400 employees in 1937. Nothing else is known about this company which went bankrupt in 1984 and following its closure in 1986 left behind an industrial ruin with lots of contaminated soil that had to be removed by the regional authorities under state funding between 1998 and 2005.

Mark Comments

At least two marks are known to state '1778' as founding year, however there is no indication in the company history whatsoever what this claim is supposed to be based upon.

Marks

Image 1-01

Used between 1905 and 1910, here in red.

Image 1-02

Used between 1905 and 1910, here in green.
(Picture by Shonna Walker)

Image 1-03

Used between 1905 and around 1923, note the shield form and single crown.

Image 1-04

Used between 1905 and around 1923, center contains the stylized initials 'SH' for Schwarzenhammer above the puzzling date '1778'.

Image 1-05

Used between 1910 and around 1923, golden version.

Image 1-06

Used between 1910 and around 1923, the green version.

Image 1-07

Used between 1910 and around 1923, here the blue version.

Image 1-08

Used between around 1923 and 1945, 'SCHWARZENHAMMER' above 'BAVARIA' in gold.

Image 1-09

Used between around 1923 and 1945, 'SCHWARZENHAMMER' above 'BAVARIA' in gold (looks brown due to picture angle).

Image 1-10

Used between around 1923 and 1945, 'SCHWARZENHAMMER' above 'BAVARIA' in deep red.

Image 1-11

Used between 1946 and 1949. 'BAVARIA', 'GERMANY' and 'US ZONE' are stamped as black addition to the basic gold mark (note the band is also filled).

Image 1-12

Used between 1946 and 1949 with 'BAVARIA', 'GERMANY' and 'US ZONE' addition, here a version in light brown.

Image 1-13

Used between 1946 and 1949 with 'BAVARIA', 'GERMANY' and 'US ZONE' addition, here one in gold.

Image 1-14

Used around 1949, note 'SCHWARZENHAMMER', 'BAVARIA' and 'GERMANY'.

Image 1-15

Used around 1949 until around 1952, 'SCHWARZENHAMMER' above 'GERMANY', filled band, here in gold.

Image 1-16

Used around 1949 until around 1952, 'SCHWARZENHAMMER' above 'GERMANY', and here in green.

Image 1-17

Used from 1952 onwards, clear band, otherwise same as before but with the rearing lion addition which is sometimes found as standalone mark.

Image 1-18

Used from 1952 onwards, clear band, with 'PORZELLAN IMPERIAL GERMANY' trademark addition.
(Picture by Jill Gifford)

Image 1-19

Used sometime around 1952, simple version without any shield filling, 'SCHWARZENHAMMER' above 'BAVARIA'.
(Picture by Monika Birkl)

Image 1-20

Used sometime around 1952, a multicolor version of the mark without any additions.

Image 1-21

Used around 1955, here with 'WESTERN GERMANY' addition only.

Image 1-22

Used around 1955, with 'MADE IN WESTERN GERMANY' addition.

Image 1-23

Used around 1955, with 'WESTERN GERMANY' as part of the mark.

Image 1-24

Used around 1960, here with 'SCHWARZENHAMMER PORZELLAN' and 'WESTERN GERMANY'.

Image 1-25

No date known, 'GENUINE ROYAL FRANKONIA' and 'TRADEMARK' additions next to the confusing 'Fd 1778'.

Image 1-26

Same as before but this time a more elaborate color version instead of the simple all-gold version.

Image 1-27

No date known. 'SCHWARZENHAMMER' over 'PORZELLAN', here in red.

Image 1-28

No date known. 'SCHWARZENHAMMER' over 'PORZELLAN', here in black.

Image 1-29

No date known. 'SCHWARZENHAMMER' over 'PORZELLAN', white in a black oval.

Image 1-30

No date known. 'SCHWARZENHAMMER' over 'PORZELLAN' and 'SCHARFFEUER' (high temperature fired), here in blue.

Image 1-31

No date known. 'SCHWARZENHAMMER' over 'BAVARIA', here in blue.