Stein Marks © is an independent site which has been created and will be maintained "free to view" for the benefit of all Stein Collectors. It lists all names alphabetically, by location and also attempts to list by category. In addition, there is a "Logo Identification" page, which helps you identify your stein, even if there is no recognisable name or initials. Where you see an underline is an indication that there is a live link, either to an associated page in Stein Marks, or to an alternate site holding further information.My initial vision for Stein Marks was for an on-line, colour photograph based, version of Les Hopper's previous work. However the flexibility of the web allowed me, very quickly to expand that original concept. To engage new followers to the hobby, I have added sample steins or lids, so that they can easily view the richness and vast variety of the pieces available. With Locations and Categories I hope to help the research possibilities for more serious collectors. I am also slowly adding company histories, in which I have attempted in most cases to utilise the contents of contemporaneous documents supplied to me, rather than rewrite more modern publications. Language has been, and still is my biggest problem; however I have gained many friends along the way who are willing to help where necessary. This project has taken me to places I never expected to go, requiring me to study political, commercial, social and cultural history, demonstrating where for instance, Europe has been torn apart and reformed over the centuries and includes the diaspora of more than one ethnic group; together with the geography of two continents.In 2010, only its second year, Stein Marks was honoured with the Stein Collectors International Service Award. I am very grateful for all the excellent photographs of marks and example steins, plus all the supporting information, I have received, from contributors too numerous to list individually. Stein Marks will always be a work in progress, so I look forward to collaboration with an even wider cross-section of stein collectors in the future. N.B. Too much information is never enough! What might be obvious to you, hasn't necessarily occurred to me. Chris Wheeler, Devon, United Kingdom. - 26th June 2011 Legal NoticeThe contents of Stein Marks© may be used in part or in full, subject to a reference or link being placed into the user's work, covering the relevant page/s in Stein Marks. In turn, it would be appreciated if those using that information would share any resulting further research with the author, for inclusion into Stein Marks.
