Collecting Honey Pots by John Doyle

Collecting Honey Pots by John Doyle is an illustrated introductory guide to the unusual and varied world of honey-pot collecting. Written by the founder of the European Honey Pot Collectors’ Society, the book draws on Doyle’s own experience as a collector and is intended both for newcomers to the hobby and those already interested in decorative and functional honey wares. The book begins by defining what constitutes a honey pot and explores their history, different forms and uses. It then looks at examples made from a range of materials, including pottery and ceramic, glass, silver and other metals, wood and plastics. Practical sections cover how to begin a collection, displaying honey pots, care and repair, record keeping, and the European Honey Pot Collectors’ Society. An index is also included. In his foreword, Doyle explains that his own collection began almost by accident after buying an unidentified Staffordshire pottery honey pot. His search for information led to a long-standing collecting passion and, ultimately, to this book, written to fill what he felt was a lack of accessible information on the subject. Illustrated with photographs of numerous decorative honey pots—including traditional beehive designs and ceramic examples in many shapes and styles—this is a compact specialist guide with particular appeal to collectors of ceramics, kitchenalia, honey and beekeeping memorabilia, and unusual decorative wares.