Every collector has something to contribute.
The Holt Howard Archive did not grow from one person's collection alone. It has been shaped by conversations with fellow collectors, shared photographs, newly discovered variations, old catalogs and advertisements, estate-sale finds, and the willingness of people to share what they know.
If you have information that might improve the archive—or simply have a question—I would be delighted to hear from you.
You may be holding the next piece of the puzzle.
Help document the pieces and stories still waiting to be found.
You might have a piece that is not yet pictured in the archive, an unusual color or design variation, original packaging or paperwork, a catalog or advertisement, or family history connected with Holt Howard. You may also notice an error, recognize an unidentified piece, or have information that challenges a long-held assumption.
Large discoveries are wonderful, but small details matter too. A different backstamp, lid, label, utensil, decoration, or date can sometimes help clarify how and when a piece was produced.
What makes a useful submission?
Please send whatever you have. When possible, the following are especially helpful:
- Clear photographs of the front, back, sides, base, and lid.
- Close-ups of backstamps, foil labels, copyright marks, stickers, and original tags.
- Photographs of spoons, forks, stoppers, or other removable parts.
- Approximate measurements.
- Any known history of the piece, including where and when it was acquired.
- Scans or legible photographs of catalogs, advertisements, instructions, boxes, or other original material.
Professional photography is not necessary. Well-lit phone photographs are usually perfectly adequate, and I am happy to discuss what additional views might be useful.
The archive is a living research project.
No reference work is ever entirely complete, and new evidence sometimes changes what we thought we knew. If you believe something on the site is incorrect or incomplete, please contact me and explain what you have found. Supporting photographs, documents, or other sources are always appreciated.
Corrections are not an embarrassment; they are part of responsible research. The goal is to make the archive as accurate and useful as possible for collectors now and in the future.
Your contribution will be recognized.
Many collectors have generously permitted me to include photographs of pieces from their collections. When contributed material is used, I am happy to credit the contributor by name unless anonymity is preferred. Please let me know how you would like to be identified and whether you authorize the material to appear in the archive.
Contributors retain ownership of their original photographs and materials. Permission to use them in the archive does not transfer ownership or grant permission for unrelated commercial use.
The easiest way to reach me is by email:
contact@holthowardarchive.comYou may also contact me through Facebook Messenger at Kevin's Pixieware Palace or on Instagram at @spevman.
Please understand that I may need time to research a question, compare examples, or review submitted materials before responding.
The Holt Howard Archive will probably never be truly finished. New pieces continue to surface, overlooked details come to light, and every so often a discovery changes the story. That is part of what makes collecting so much fun.
If you have something to share, I would love to hear from you. Together, we can continue documenting and preserving the history of these wonderful midcentury ceramics for future collectors.