Introduction to Stein Collecting
The Anatomy of a Beer Stein – The basic terminology explained
Collecting Beer Steins – An Introduction to the many types of steins
Your Steins – Old or New? – A discussion about identifying steins
Lithophanes – Those pictures in the bottom of your stein
It Dates From Around the Turn of the Century – The golden age of steins – some history about steins.
Wrapping and Packing – helpful suggestions for how to ship steins
Recent Additions
October 2014: White’s Pottery – A Pictorial Review A catalogue of White’s Pottery by pictures.
October 2014: Jordan Vandenberg’s HB Stein Blog (External site) A plethora of information on HB beer steins.
January 2014: Occupational Steins – An Introduction
Updated frequently: Translations Illustrated – Translated verses with pictures and interpretation.
Added March 2014: Steve On Steins– (External site) A wealth of information on almost every aspect of stein collecting.
Specific Areas of Collecting Interest
Regimentals – Old or New? – How to identify reproductions
Student Association Steins – The basics
Studentica – The artifacts of German student associations
A Mettlach Look-Alike – A striking comparison of two student steins
Jugendstil Steins – A Pictorial Essay
4F Gymnastic Steins – Turnvater Jahn, Turnfests, Phys Ed
US Military Steins from the Cold War Era – Popular collectibles!
German Kinderkrüge – Children’s Steins
Occupational Steins – An Introduction
White’s Pottery – A Pictorial Review A catalogue of White’s Pottery by pictures.
Jordan Vandenberg’s HB Stein Blog (External site) A plethora of information on HB beer steins.
Glass Steins
Glass Beer Steins – An Introduction
Glass Techniques – Blown, mold-blown, cut, pressed, enameled, etched…
Cobalt-Blue Glass Steins – Pretty to look at, delightful to hold… but to drink?
American Cut Glass Steins – American brilliance!
Prunts, Glass Stein Decorations – Now you know the correct name
Jeweled Lids: Myths and Superstitions – Poison, fidelity and health?
Reference Works
How to Detect Stein Repairs – Helpful hints for ceramics collectors
A Stein Collector’s Bibliography – The most common – and useful – books
Pewter Fittings Through the Ages – Dating steins from their pewter
Stein Marks – (External site) Photos of marks and artists signatures appearing on steins.
The Beer Stein Library – (External site) Includes excellent articles and pictorial catalogs (Access to catalogs requires an annual subscription)
The Character Stein Book – (External site) A work in progress, but containing a wealth of information on character steins.
Der Oktoberfestkrug – (External site) A pictorial catalog (German)
MySteinCollection.com – (External site) Stein catalogs and more
Steve On Steins – (External site) A wealth of information on almost every aspect of stein collecting.
Translation Aids
What Does This Blasted Thing Say? – Deciphering the old German lettering
Steinologists’ guide to old German print and script – More on deciphering the old German lettering
On the Subject of Translations – Literal or Lyrical?
Some Simple Beer Stein Cognates – Helpful step to understanding German
Translations Illustrated – Translated verses with pictures and interpretation.
Les Hopper’s “1,001 German Translations” – Side-by-side German-English translations
Example of Expressions on a Stein: – The Verses of Mettlach # 171
Miscellaneous Articles
Why Steins have Lids – An interesting video presentation
Give ‘Em the Boot – All about communal drinking boots
Beer Markers – How do you keep track of your personal stein?
The Bud Man Quartet The vastly popular contemporary character!
Beer Steins in Museums – Steins in Museum Collections Worldwide
Das Reinheitsgebot or Purity Law – The secret to German beer?
A Westerwald History – A very important region of Germany for beer steins
The Kannenbäckerland – Jug bakers’ land, the Westerwald
What Is It – German or Chinese? – A Look at Current Manufacturing Trends
Manufacturers, Artists, Designers, etc.
Mettlach Beer Steins : An Introduction
ALBERT JACOB THEWALT GmbH – A history of the factory and family.
St. Louis Silver Company (pdf format)
The Schierholz Discoveries – A Story in Three Parts All about Schierholz (not Musterschutz!) Character Steins
The Elusive “TP” Mark – Mistaken beliefs corrected
Heinrich Schlitt Remembered – A look at a favorite artist of stein collectors
HR and the Freising Facctory Revisited – All you ever wanted to know…
Themes and Stories on Steins
The Trumpeter of Säckingen – A Love Story
The Story behind the Babies Stein – More information on the previous article
The Gooseman of Nuremberg A popular symbol of the city
Schlaraffenland Steins and the Schlaraffia Society.
This long article has been configured in 6 parts. You can read all 6 parts by clicking on the link above, or read individual “chapters” by clicking on the links below.Paragraph 11 (§11) This common symbol explained!
The History of the Munich Child – The Beloved Symbol of Munich
Schützenliesl or the Target Girl – Who was she?
Gambrinus, King of Beer – Who is that king with brew raised high?
The Mystery of the Heinzelmänchen – Some say dwarfs, some say Zwerge,…
The Mettlach St. Florian Stein – Patron saint of firemen, also by Otto Hupp
The Wren of Ulm and the Flying Tailor of Ulm – Two famous tales
The Symbolism of Animals – Most have a specific meaning
Oktoberfest – The historical origins of this largest of festivals
Till Eulenspiegel – The Merry Prankster – his life and times
Elsewhere on this site
- Index to Prosit – 1965 -to Present
- Featured Stein Archives — Also known as “Stein of the Month”.
- SteinTalk Archives — From October 2002 through last year.
The Beer Stein Museum Research Library and Archives
Through the generous donations of its members, SCI has acquired a number of physical assets – books, periodicals, maps, videotapes and other items – which are available on loan to members.
