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Frankenthal

[1] Porzellanfabrik F. Wessel (1949 until 1964)

There is only very little known about this manufacturer, most probably because the business only existed for a very a short time. Friedrich Wilhelm Wessel founded the factory in 1949 and mainly produced lace figurines and porcelain household utilities. Nearly right from the start he got into constant trouble for the misuse of the "Dresden" designation (e.g. "Dresden Art", "Dresdner Art", etc.) which he was not allowed to use as his items were not decorated in Dresden, in any Dreden decoration style, nor were they decorated by workers that had learned the trade in a Dresden decoration studio.

In addition Wessel also used a slightly modified but nonetheless unauthorized copy of an older Frankenthal mark which further increased his problems. The only sure thing is that he was not related with the well known Wessel family from the city of Bonn (North-Rhine Westphalia).

Marks

frankenthal-01-01

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Used between 1949 and 1964. A not so common crisp example, showing all crown details.

frankenthal-01-02

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Used between 1949 and 1964, here a commonly found example.

frankenthal-01-03

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Used between 1949 and 1964, another regular example.
(Picture: Darcy Haynes)

frankenthal-01-04

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Used between 1949 and 1964, here with "Made in Germany".
(Picture: Monika Birkl)

frankenthal-01-05

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Used between 1949 and 1964, here with "Made in Germany" and handgemalt.
(Picture: Peter Holland)

frankenthal-01-06

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Used between 1949 and 1964, here with the additions "Made in Germany" and "handgemalt".
(Picture: Guy Gioia)

frankenthal-01-07

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Used between 1949 and 1964, here with the additions "Made in Germany" and "handgemalt" as well as "Dresden Art".

frankenthal-01-08

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Used between 1949 and 1964, with the additions "Made in Western-Germany" and "handgemalt".

frankenthal-01-09

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Used between 1949 and 1964, with the additions "Made in Western-Germany" and "handgemalt" as well as "Dresden Art".

frankenthal-01-10

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Used between 1949 and 1964. A rare one including "F.W. Wessel" above the initials. This version includes "Frankenthal" as well as a "Made in Germany" addition.

frankenthal-01-11

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Used between 1950 and 1957. Unauthorised "remake" of one of the old Frankenthal marks; only addition is the "W".
(Picture: N.B. Peterson)

frankenthal-01-12

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Used between 1950 and 1957. Same as before but with smaller "W" and additional "Frankenthal", can also be found in red.

frankenthal-01-13

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Used between 1950 and 1957. Here with "Frankenthal" and "Porzellan" additions; can also be found in red.
(Picture: N.B. Peterson)

frankenthal-01-14

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Used between 1950 and 1957. Here with "Frankenthal" and "Porzellan" plus red "Dresden" additions.
(Picture: N.B. Peterson)

frankenthal-01-15

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Used between 1951 and 1964, a stylized crown over "Frankenthal" and a good example of how unreadable most marks were.
(Picture: Helena Karow)

frankenthal-01-16

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Used between 1951 and 1964, a stylized crown over "Frankenthal". A rare one with a slightly different font face.

frankenthal-01-17

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Used between 1951 and 1964, "handgemalt", "Dresden Art" and offset "Made in Germany".

frankenthal-01-18

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Used between 1951 and 1964, "handgemalt", "Dresden Art" and "Made in Germany".


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