This book investigates the history and artistry of blue decorated stoneware produced by nine Harrisburg, Pennsylvania stoneware manufacturers between 1852 and 1924. It provides an extensive chronological account of these potteries, detailing the genealogy and history of their owners and potters, and features over 400 color photographs of the stoneware.

This comprehensive volume is a significant resource for collectors and historians of American decorative arts, particularly those interested in Pennsylvania stoneware. Its detailed approach and extensive photographic documentation make it an authoritative reference for identifying and understanding the output of the Cowden family and associated potteries. The book's focus on genealogy and chronological history provides deep context for the artisans and businesses involved in this specific craft. It is positioned as the most extensive work ever produced on these particular potteries.