RECOGNIZING ROGERS GROUPS ... And Fakes
Rogers Groups vary in height and weight generally ranging from about fourteen to twenty-three inches high and ten to fifty pounds. One should note, however, that a few of Rogers' commercial groups were much larger, as tall as 49" in one case.
His early groups were for the most part, small and rather crude most of which are relatively rare as Rogers Groups go and some being extremely rare. The first banner picture, "The Town Pump" published in 1862 is typical of such early groups. As early as the mid 1860s, however, Rogers began producing for the most part, the mid-size groups that were generally in the 20-24" range tall and for which he is most well-known. The third banner picture, "Union Refugees", published in 1862, was Rogers' first statuette produced in this size range. Also, the detail of these groups is much improved and he continued to improve the detail and sophistication of his statuary over time resulting in the remarkably life-like figures for which he is remembered.
Along with publishing the taller groups, some of Rogers groups became more massive as well and rather "clunky". The last banner picture on the right , "A Frolic At The Old Homestead" is such a group. He did not however, abandon producing smaller groups throughout his career altogether. This made the display of such groups easier since they took up less space. The second banner picture from the left, "Going For The Cows", published in 1873 is representative of such groups. Also, for some of his statuettes, the term "group" is a misnomer since Rogers, from time to time published solitary figures, such as "Washington", the second banner picture from the right. Groups are signed John Rogers New York with a date (if patented) and titled on the front of their base.
The condition in which they are presently found also varies from being almost “like new” to being “basket cases.” They generally are taupe (putty) in color with a hint of sheen and often heavily patinated. Be aware that sometimes these groups have been painted off-white (to look like, e.g., marble), polychromed, or gilded with metallic paint. This is done always by someone other than Rogers. The polychroming may have been done tastefully or dreadfully (gilding is almost always dreadful). Such treatments, whether done tastefully or dreadfully detracts from the groups as Rogers originally conceived their creation and degrades their value. Repaints in hues approximating the hues Rogers used ambiguously impacts a group's value. If the original paint has deteriorated extensively, repainting the piece will most likely improve its value by markedly improving its appearance. The only problem with repainting a group is that repainting could mask repairs that have occurred that may be substantial and need to be hidden.
Early on in his career, Rogers dabbled briefly in league with various foundries producing select groups in spelter (pot metal) or bronze (examples of which are to be found linking to John Rogers Groups in Mediums Other than Plaster). This venture did not, however, thrive and Rogers soon returned to plaster as his medium and where his niche was most established. Nevertheless, an occasional spelter or bronze Rogers Group does "pop up" from time to time. Other bronzes are simply "knockoffs" for which interest is spotty.
One group of "knockoffs" for which interest, however, is not spotty is the parians (examples of which are to be found linking to John Rogers Groups in Mediums Other than Plaster). Parian is a type of bisque porcelain whose material when fired at relatively high temperatures yields a white/off-white somewhat slick fine textured unglazed surface. A wide range of decor items have been fashioned of parian, including figurines not the least of which, selected John Rogers Groups. The Copeland parian house (UK) is generally thought to have produced these Rogers parians but that is uncertain. Parian shrinks when fired. Consequently, Rogers parians generally are about three-fourths the size of their plaster counterparts from which their molds were made but very crisp in their detail. Parians of seven different plaster Rogers Groups were produced. Those Rogers Groups are identified as such in violet on the "View Rogers Groups Images" page of our website.[1]
THE FAKES---The appearance of David Wallace's book, John Rogers: The People's Sculptor in 1967
kindled interest afresh in Rogers Statuary, interest that had waned substantially since the turn of that century. This time, however, the interested constituted a more restricted group--those persons for whom collecting was their proclivity. This surge in demand against a finite supply whose composition and exact limit was, however, uncertain, generated high prices at that time for many groups that will most likely not be seen again. Thus, it is understandable that unscrupulous individuals saw the opportunity to exploit such a market by producing "knock offs" of what appeared to be the better selling (plaster) groups at that time. After all, who would know any better? These knock offs were in no way the same thing as, e.g., the parians or bronzes discussed in the previous paragraphs. Those pieces made no pretense at claiming that they are authentic Rogers Groups. In contrast, the precise intent of these fraudulent plaster "knock offs" of the mid-twentieth century, was rather, to deliberately deceive persons into believing that the merchandise they were considering buying was authentic Rogers statuary.
Please note that this commentary about fraudulent plaster "fakes" is in no way intended to discourage any one from securing for one's own an example of Rogers Statuary. Rather, it is specifically intended to inform with knowledge and gird with confidence, the conclusions one draws about the authenticity of the plaster Rogers statuary one may happen to come across.
These "fakes" still turn up now and then. However, we can now identify them in rather short order because we know a lot more about them. For example, most fakes appear to have been limited to what appeared to be the better selling groups at the time. Fortunately therefore, we have but a limited number of groups that for the most part, concerns us. Thus, should you, e.g., come across an Uncle Ned's School, Football, or Wounded to the Rear..., be cautious. The "street talk" has it that these three groups were groups that were most frequently faked and our experience has not disabused us of such a notion. (Fake examples of Wounded To The Rear...e.g., show up on eBay and other auctions rather frequently.) Thus, should you come across an example of any one of these groups, you should almost as a rule of thumb assume that it is a "fake" until determined otherwise. Other faked plaster groups we have come across, not infrequently, are Neighboring Pews, Peddler At The Fair, and even one Council Of War (Version B). For information intended to assist you in determining the authenticity of an example of John Rogers statuary you may have come across, especially an example from one of the six groups we just identified, please take the link to our Authenticity Check List. Furthermore, please feel free to reach out to us through our contact page, as well, for assistance in determining the authenticity of an example of any group with which you may be flirting. We will help you out as best we can.
His early groups were for the most part, small and rather crude most of which are relatively rare as Rogers Groups go and some being extremely rare. The first banner picture, "The Town Pump" published in 1862 is typical of such early groups. As early as the mid 1860s, however, Rogers began producing for the most part, the mid-size groups that were generally in the 20-24" range tall and for which he is most well-known. The third banner picture, "Union Refugees", published in 1862, was Rogers' first statuette produced in this size range. Also, the detail of these groups is much improved and he continued to improve the detail and sophistication of his statuary over time resulting in the remarkably life-like figures for which he is remembered.
Along with publishing the taller groups, some of Rogers groups became more massive as well and rather "clunky". The last banner picture on the right , "A Frolic At The Old Homestead" is such a group. He did not however, abandon producing smaller groups throughout his career altogether. This made the display of such groups easier since they took up less space. The second banner picture from the left, "Going For The Cows", published in 1873 is representative of such groups. Also, for some of his statuettes, the term "group" is a misnomer since Rogers, from time to time published solitary figures, such as "Washington", the second banner picture from the right. Groups are signed John Rogers New York with a date (if patented) and titled on the front of their base.
The condition in which they are presently found also varies from being almost “like new” to being “basket cases.” They generally are taupe (putty) in color with a hint of sheen and often heavily patinated. Be aware that sometimes these groups have been painted off-white (to look like, e.g., marble), polychromed, or gilded with metallic paint. This is done always by someone other than Rogers. The polychroming may have been done tastefully or dreadfully (gilding is almost always dreadful). Such treatments, whether done tastefully or dreadfully detracts from the groups as Rogers originally conceived their creation and degrades their value. Repaints in hues approximating the hues Rogers used ambiguously impacts a group's value. If the original paint has deteriorated extensively, repainting the piece will most likely improve its value by markedly improving its appearance. The only problem with repainting a group is that repainting could mask repairs that have occurred that may be substantial and need to be hidden.
Early on in his career, Rogers dabbled briefly in league with various foundries producing select groups in spelter (pot metal) or bronze (examples of which are to be found linking to John Rogers Groups in Mediums Other than Plaster). This venture did not, however, thrive and Rogers soon returned to plaster as his medium and where his niche was most established. Nevertheless, an occasional spelter or bronze Rogers Group does "pop up" from time to time. Other bronzes are simply "knockoffs" for which interest is spotty.
One group of "knockoffs" for which interest, however, is not spotty is the parians (examples of which are to be found linking to John Rogers Groups in Mediums Other than Plaster). Parian is a type of bisque porcelain whose material when fired at relatively high temperatures yields a white/off-white somewhat slick fine textured unglazed surface. A wide range of decor items have been fashioned of parian, including figurines not the least of which, selected John Rogers Groups. The Copeland parian house (UK) is generally thought to have produced these Rogers parians but that is uncertain. Parian shrinks when fired. Consequently, Rogers parians generally are about three-fourths the size of their plaster counterparts from which their molds were made but very crisp in their detail. Parians of seven different plaster Rogers Groups were produced. Those Rogers Groups are identified as such in violet on the "View Rogers Groups Images" page of our website.[1]
THE FAKES---The appearance of David Wallace's book, John Rogers: The People's Sculptor in 1967
kindled interest afresh in Rogers Statuary, interest that had waned substantially since the turn of that century. This time, however, the interested constituted a more restricted group--those persons for whom collecting was their proclivity. This surge in demand against a finite supply whose composition and exact limit was, however, uncertain, generated high prices at that time for many groups that will most likely not be seen again. Thus, it is understandable that unscrupulous individuals saw the opportunity to exploit such a market by producing "knock offs" of what appeared to be the better selling (plaster) groups at that time. After all, who would know any better? These knock offs were in no way the same thing as, e.g., the parians or bronzes discussed in the previous paragraphs. Those pieces made no pretense at claiming that they are authentic Rogers Groups. In contrast, the precise intent of these fraudulent plaster "knock offs" of the mid-twentieth century, was rather, to deliberately deceive persons into believing that the merchandise they were considering buying was authentic Rogers statuary.
Please note that this commentary about fraudulent plaster "fakes" is in no way intended to discourage any one from securing for one's own an example of Rogers Statuary. Rather, it is specifically intended to inform with knowledge and gird with confidence, the conclusions one draws about the authenticity of the plaster Rogers statuary one may happen to come across.
These "fakes" still turn up now and then. However, we can now identify them in rather short order because we know a lot more about them. For example, most fakes appear to have been limited to what appeared to be the better selling groups at the time. Fortunately therefore, we have but a limited number of groups that for the most part, concerns us. Thus, should you, e.g., come across an Uncle Ned's School, Football, or Wounded to the Rear..., be cautious. The "street talk" has it that these three groups were groups that were most frequently faked and our experience has not disabused us of such a notion. (Fake examples of Wounded To The Rear...e.g., show up on eBay and other auctions rather frequently.) Thus, should you come across an example of any one of these groups, you should almost as a rule of thumb assume that it is a "fake" until determined otherwise. Other faked plaster groups we have come across, not infrequently, are Neighboring Pews, Peddler At The Fair, and even one Council Of War (Version B). For information intended to assist you in determining the authenticity of an example of John Rogers statuary you may have come across, especially an example from one of the six groups we just identified, please take the link to our Authenticity Check List. Furthermore, please feel free to reach out to us through our contact page, as well, for assistance in determining the authenticity of an example of any group with which you may be flirting. We will help you out as best we can.
Footnote:
[1] Other extant porcelain "knock offs" of Rogers Groups that arouse collector interest have Staffordshire or crackleware finishes or are majolica (soft paste porcelain in vivid green, red, and yellow). Several of the more popular groups at that time were rendered in these mediums--Taking the Oath..., Wounded Scout..., and Wounded to the Rear... Several sets of Rogers Groups diminutive in size have also aroused some collector interest. Reed and Barton published six bisque groups not exceeding 8" in height circa 1976 that show up frequently on eBay--Checkers Up At The Farm, Coming To The Parson, The Favored Scholar, Neighboring Pews, School Days, and Weighing The Baby. Another set of rarer diminutive groups that occur sometime tinted are The Bath, Checkers Up At The Farm, School Days, Chess, and possibly even The Traveling Magician. These renderings are often somewhat truncated, i.e., missing a figure. For example, School Days is missing the young girl and Chess is missing the woman serving tea. The origin of this set is unclear but we have reason to believe from the stickers under the base of some that their origin of manufacture was Japan and it was the New York Historical Society's intent to market them in its gift shop. Lastly, are the plaster Sebastian Miniatures. Standing at most ~3" tall, these miniatures consisted of many different subject of which only three were Rogers Groups (Neighboring Pews, Weighing The Baby, and The Favored Scholar).
[1] Other extant porcelain "knock offs" of Rogers Groups that arouse collector interest have Staffordshire or crackleware finishes or are majolica (soft paste porcelain in vivid green, red, and yellow). Several of the more popular groups at that time were rendered in these mediums--Taking the Oath..., Wounded Scout..., and Wounded to the Rear... Several sets of Rogers Groups diminutive in size have also aroused some collector interest. Reed and Barton published six bisque groups not exceeding 8" in height circa 1976 that show up frequently on eBay--Checkers Up At The Farm, Coming To The Parson, The Favored Scholar, Neighboring Pews, School Days, and Weighing The Baby. Another set of rarer diminutive groups that occur sometime tinted are The Bath, Checkers Up At The Farm, School Days, Chess, and possibly even The Traveling Magician. These renderings are often somewhat truncated, i.e., missing a figure. For example, School Days is missing the young girl and Chess is missing the woman serving tea. The origin of this set is unclear but we have reason to believe from the stickers under the base of some that their origin of manufacture was Japan and it was the New York Historical Society's intent to market them in its gift shop. Lastly, are the plaster Sebastian Miniatures. Standing at most ~3" tall, these miniatures consisted of many different subject of which only three were Rogers Groups (Neighboring Pews, Weighing The Baby, and The Favored Scholar).