SS Allach Collectibles
PORCELAIN ALLACH - INTRODUCTION
As one of the ever-increasing number of collectors of Allach porcelain, I have always been rather disappointed at the almost total lack of information available regarding the types of items produced at this factory, its history and development during the ten years of its existence. All that is generally known is that the porcelain is of an exceptionally high standard of design, and quality of manufacture. It is increasingly difficult to find, and that the only pieces known to me are those in private collections, and selected items that were chosen for illustration in the Allach factory advertisements found in various contemporary art catalogues and magazines.
The unique circumstances that prevailed in Germany from the time of the foundation of the factory at Allach, must be taken into consideration when attempting to evaluate the history, development and quality of porcelain produced.
Hitler, being the absolute dictator of Germany, since his successful election in 1933, had many 'interests', not the least of which was his obsession for all forms of German Culture. Reichsfuhrer S.S. Heinrich Himmler, whose mind ran along similar lines, made sure that his own personal interests in Ceramics were completely fulfilled by instructing his Personal Staff to organise the setting up and equipping of a porcelain factory at Allach.
It was these unique circumstances that made it possible for the very best Artists, Designers, Potters and all persons associated with the manufacture of fine porcelain to be taken from the many world-famous factories that existed in Germany at that time, such as Dresden, Berlin, Rosenthal, Nymphenburg, etc., and be employed at the previously virtually unknown factory at Allach.
It was the unique concentration of talent made available for its production that enabled Allach porcelain to be of such a high quality, and consequently extremely desirable. This, combined with the short period of its existence, will in due course, make the finer pieces extremely difficult to find, and command much higher prices than those currently being asked by dealers not astute enough to realise the potential of the items in their possession.
Approximately three years ago I began to collect any Allach porcelain factory advertisements (preferably illustrated), articles from present-day and contemporary magazines and any other relevant information that I was able to obtain, as well as having my own collection professionally photoqraphed. In the Summer of 1970 I decided that without my being able to obtain a copy the elusive factory catalogue (several copies are known to exist but are not available for inspection!), any additional material that might be added to the information already acquired was going to come so slowly that it would be many years hence before I would have sufficient reference available to enable me to embark on the comprehensive reference work that I had visualised. So the decision was made to compromise, and produce a small book, which I trust will in some way compensate for the total lack of reference material available on Allach porcelain. It is hoped that one day this may prove to be of assistance to some other enthusiast in producing the completely comprehensive work that the subject deserves.
It was at this time, approximately six months ago, that I was approached by my friend Michael Passmore, a fellow collector of Allach porcelain, who offered to write the text for the book. An offer, that due to my seeming to never have the time to 'sit and write', was eagerly accepted! All the information, photographs, cuttings, etc., were handed over to him, and true to his word, in due course, the completed text appeared on my desk, and with very few corrections it is as appears in this volume.
In laying out the basic format of this book, i.e. 'breaking down' the illustrations into subject groups, constructing an index, selecting which illustrations to use, length of captions, etc., I have attempted to avoid unnecessary 'padding', and tried to include only illustrations, information and comments that are relevant to the subject in hand.
The 1944 Julfest Plate, which although not believed to have been manufactured at Allach, is still worthy of illustration due to the dedication on its reverse, bearing the facsimile signature of S.S. GruppenfUhrer Oswold Pohl. The administrative interest that Pohl had in the Allach concern, was no doubt shared by his wife Elenore, a qualified designer in her own right, whose artistic advice was respected at Allach.
The Julfest Card, dated 1939, signed by S.S. GruppenfUhrer Oswold Pohl, see fig. No. 92, is of particular interest as it is most probable that it accompanied a Jul-Leuchter (fig. No. 104, p. 106), or a 1939 Julfest Plate. No Julfest Plates for that year, either coloured or white porcelain, have yet been seen by the author!
Many questions still remain unanswered regarding Allach porcelain. For example, the subjects of other existing pieces. Some of the pieces that were known to have existed.
Michael J. Passmore and Tony L. Oliver: "SS Porcelain Allach", 1972, T.L.O Publications
As one of the ever-increasing number of collectors of Allach porcelain, I have always been rather disappointed at the almost total lack of information available regarding the types of items produced at this factory, its history and development during the ten years of its existence. All that is generally known is that the porcelain is of an exceptionally high standard of design, and quality of manufacture. It is increasingly difficult to find, and that the only pieces known to me are those in private collections, and selected items that were chosen for illustration in the Allach factory advertisements found in various contemporary art catalogues and magazines.
The unique circumstances that prevailed in Germany from the time of the foundation of the factory at Allach, must be taken into consideration when attempting to evaluate the history, development and quality of porcelain produced.
Hitler, being the absolute dictator of Germany, since his successful election in 1933, had many 'interests', not the least of which was his obsession for all forms of German Culture. Reichsfuhrer S.S. Heinrich Himmler, whose mind ran along similar lines, made sure that his own personal interests in Ceramics were completely fulfilled by instructing his Personal Staff to organise the setting up and equipping of a porcelain factory at Allach.
It was these unique circumstances that made it possible for the very best Artists, Designers, Potters and all persons associated with the manufacture of fine porcelain to be taken from the many world-famous factories that existed in Germany at that time, such as Dresden, Berlin, Rosenthal, Nymphenburg, etc., and be employed at the previously virtually unknown factory at Allach.
It was the unique concentration of talent made available for its production that enabled Allach porcelain to be of such a high quality, and consequently extremely desirable. This, combined with the short period of its existence, will in due course, make the finer pieces extremely difficult to find, and command much higher prices than those currently being asked by dealers not astute enough to realise the potential of the items in their possession.
Approximately three years ago I began to collect any Allach porcelain factory advertisements (preferably illustrated), articles from present-day and contemporary magazines and any other relevant information that I was able to obtain, as well as having my own collection professionally photoqraphed. In the Summer of 1970 I decided that without my being able to obtain a copy the elusive factory catalogue (several copies are known to exist but are not available for inspection!), any additional material that might be added to the information already acquired was going to come so slowly that it would be many years hence before I would have sufficient reference available to enable me to embark on the comprehensive reference work that I had visualised. So the decision was made to compromise, and produce a small book, which I trust will in some way compensate for the total lack of reference material available on Allach porcelain. It is hoped that one day this may prove to be of assistance to some other enthusiast in producing the completely comprehensive work that the subject deserves.
It was at this time, approximately six months ago, that I was approached by my friend Michael Passmore, a fellow collector of Allach porcelain, who offered to write the text for the book. An offer, that due to my seeming to never have the time to 'sit and write', was eagerly accepted! All the information, photographs, cuttings, etc., were handed over to him, and true to his word, in due course, the completed text appeared on my desk, and with very few corrections it is as appears in this volume.
In laying out the basic format of this book, i.e. 'breaking down' the illustrations into subject groups, constructing an index, selecting which illustrations to use, length of captions, etc., I have attempted to avoid unnecessary 'padding', and tried to include only illustrations, information and comments that are relevant to the subject in hand.
The 1944 Julfest Plate, which although not believed to have been manufactured at Allach, is still worthy of illustration due to the dedication on its reverse, bearing the facsimile signature of S.S. GruppenfUhrer Oswold Pohl. The administrative interest that Pohl had in the Allach concern, was no doubt shared by his wife Elenore, a qualified designer in her own right, whose artistic advice was respected at Allach.
The Julfest Card, dated 1939, signed by S.S. GruppenfUhrer Oswold Pohl, see fig. No. 92, is of particular interest as it is most probable that it accompanied a Jul-Leuchter (fig. No. 104, p. 106), or a 1939 Julfest Plate. No Julfest Plates for that year, either coloured or white porcelain, have yet been seen by the author!
Many questions still remain unanswered regarding Allach porcelain. For example, the subjects of other existing pieces. Some of the pieces that were known to have existed.
Michael J. Passmore and Tony L. Oliver: "SS Porcelain Allach", 1972, T.L.O Publications
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