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photo of book reproduced with the permission of the publishers: Cameron
& Hollis
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"Homemaker,
a 1950s Design Classic", first published in 1997, tells the full story.
Written by Simon Moss, with the co-operation of designers Enid Seeney and
Tom Arnold (the Ridgway Art Director, responsible for the shapes), as well
as many other company workers, the book discusses in depth the development
of the design, and its production. The 60+ pages are crammed with over 80
photographs and include a full shape listing and value guide, making the
book invaluable for dealers and collectors alike. A red printed plate is
featured on the 6.5" x 9.75" cover, and other rarities are discussed
in detail as are backstamps, Seeney's other designs and the wares which
were inspired by Homemaker. An interesting section describes the source
material for some of the motifs.
In the five years since the first edition was published
much new information has come to light. Some important new shapes have
been discovered, as well as documentary evidence for the inspiration for
more of the motifs, and a handful of new backstamps. An interesting sideline
to the Homemaker story is that the American company Homer-Laughlin apparently
made copies of the design in the Spring of 1959. The back pages of the
second edition, now available, contain all this new information, and much
more.
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