According to a book published in 1915 that was written by Walter A. Dyer, titled, Early American Craftsman, "David Spinner (1758-1811), a potter from before 1800 until 1811, on Willow Creek, Milford Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, enjoyed considerable local fame. His father, Ulrich Spinner (1717-1769), came to America from Zurich, Switzerland, in 1739. A number of Spinner's signed pieces are in existence and they include some of the most interesting examples of Pennsylvania-German pottery. He used a variety of flower motifs, the fuchsia being a favorite with him. His pictorial treatments were more ambitious than those of most of his contemporaries and were better drawn. They included gay and courtly ladies and gentlemen, gallant soldiers, and spirited hunting scenes."
Furthermore, Spinner was also a Justice of the Peace in Bucks County; around 1776 or 1777, he was placed in apprenticeship by his father with Henry Neis, a cordwainer, and Johannes Neis (1754-1826), a potter, both in Milford Township, where he remained in their employment until inheriting his family's land in 1781. By 1782 Spinner was taxed independently as a successful potter and farmer. He owned more than two hundred acres and numerous livestock and had entered into local leadership and politics as a captain in the First Company Militia, justice of the peace, and tax collector for the township. Like many industrious craftsmen working within the Pennsylvania German community, Spinner enjoyed a relatively comfortable lifestyle as a result of his hard work and talents, and he achieved the prosperous designation of "Esquire" during his later life.
Interesting, even though it has been published that there are a number of signed pieces known to exist from Spinner today, I can only find one that has sold publicly with his inscribed name in script, which sold at Christies in New York City on January 19, 2007. The plate is signed "D Spinner / 1801." There are also two signed examples owned by the Brooklyn Museum in New York City and a slip-decorated plate signed in slip script that is owned by the Philadelphia Museum of Art. All of the other objects that I can find in museum collections and public sales are attributed to Spinner.
Are there many more examples of plates that were signed by Spinner?
Signed Plates Made by David Spinner in Bucks County, PA
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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