Simply Cool Stuff: M is for McCoy

In 1899 the J.W. McCoy Pottery Co. was established in Roseville, OH, joining a dozen other notable potteries in operation at that time. By April 1910, Nelson McCoy and his father J.W. formed the Nelson McCoy Sanitary Stoneware Co., a utilitarian line of stoneware for household use. As products evolved, in 1911, George Brush became the General Manager and major shareholder in the company, changing the name to Brush-McCoy Pottery Co. Pots and vases with blended glazes in earth tones of brown and green were designed with lovely organic forms of leaves, berries and flowers in keeping with the Arts and Crafts movement of the early 20th Century. Aesthetics became a priority, coupled with utility and function.

Countless marks were used to distinguish McCoy pottery during its 90 year history. From simply 'McCoy", to 'NM', to 'BRUSH' to 'USA' to no mark at all (paper labels were used at one time). Marks were originally incised, as well as embossed on the bottom of a piece. In 1967 Mt. Clemens Pottery purchased Nelson McCoy until 1974 when Lancaster Colony Corporation (LCC) took over, until it closed its doors forever, in 1987. There is nothing so sweet as a little McCoy pot filled with an African violet to brighten up a windowsill and make your day a little more beautiful. Happy Hunting!