Brick Frogs & Maker Marks
A frog, stamp, mould mark or impressed name can be one of the most useful clues when identifying an unknown brick. It should be photographed as part of the complete brick rather than treated as an isolated logo.
📷 Photograph my brickWhat is a brick frog?
The frog is a depression or recess formed in one face of a brick. Its shape, depth, position and any lettering or symbols can help distinguish brick products and manufacturing traditions.
What should you photograph?
- Take a full-face photograph so the frog's position and shape are visible.
- Take a close-up of the lettering or numbers.
- Photograph several examples if the marks vary.
- Include the face colour and surrounding texture rather than cropping tightly around the mark.
- Measure the brick if possible.
Do maker marks prove the exact product?
Not necessarily. Manufacturers can use related marks across multiple ranges, and old bricks may have been produced at more than one works. Treat a mark as strong evidence that narrows the search, then compare dimensions, texture and colour.
Best photo setup
Use even daylight, hold the camera square to the brick face and avoid glare. If the marking is recessed, a small change in angle can reveal the lettering without washing it out with a flash.