Kent,

The buff/cream-colored brick sound like a fire brick, made from refractory
clay.  NB may stand for Nicholson Brothers who were in operation in 1904 in
Dutchess Junction, New York according to Within These Gates by Daniel
deNoyelles 2002.

" I believe that the widespread use of proprietary marks on bricks didn't
begin until the 1890s"

In the eastern United States stamped or marked bricks were common as early
as 1850 with examples dating as early as 1830 in Allaire, N.J.  ( Charles
Jackson  1987 The Singack and Mead's Basin Brickyards in Wayne Township). 


Bill Liebeknecht, MA
Hunter Research, Inc.
Trenton, New Jersey

-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kent
Taylor
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2008 12:33 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Brick Marks

Two of the bricks that we recovered from a Wisconsin site were impressed
with makers' marks. One of the bricks, a buff/cream-colored variety, carried
an NB-in-diamond stamp, while the other, a brown-colored example, was
stamped with O X W S R.  Has anyone come across these manufacturers' stamps?
 I believe that the widespread use of proprietary marks on bricks didn't
begin until the 1890s, but that's as close that I've able to come to dates
and/or manufacturers of these two bricks.  I'm not sure if their listed in
Gurcke's guide since I don't have access to his book.  Hope someone can
help....

Thanks,

Kent Taylor