Monday, August 25, 2014

T is for trademark USA


The USA mark on the base of a piece of vintage pottery identifies it as being American made only.  Such pieces were marked accordingly by a myriad of potteries in the United States during the first half of the 20th Century.
The most popular pieces are from the McCoy Pottery Co. (Roseville, OH, 1910-1990) and the Shawnee Pottery Co. (Zanesville, OH, 1937-1961).  Identifying the piece to the pottery requires a thorough examining of the base, including glazed over stilts, yellow ware clay, and glaze versus non-glaze bottoms.  Finishes from the early 20th Century were often shiny until 1915 when matte glazes came into vogue.  Shiny glazes returned to popularity during the late 1930's through the 1960's.  

To decipher the specific manufacturer of a vintage USA marked piece, educate yourself to the identifying marks, including weight of the piece, color, glaze techniques and base finish.  







Happy Hunting!


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Monday, August 18, 2014

Twenty years from now...

Twenty years from now
you will be more disappointed 
by the things that you didn't do
then
by the ones you did do.
So, 
throw off the bowlines.
sail away from the safe harbor.
catch the trade winds in your sails.







Explore.
Dream.
Discover.
-Samuel Langhorne Clemens, aka, Mark Twain, 1835-1910,  American author
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Monday, August 11, 2014

S is for Stangl

Stangl Pottery was produced simultaneously with Fulper Pottery in Flemington, NJ.

Begun by Samuel Hill as Hill Pottery in 1814, the company was acquired by Abram Fulper in the 1860's and changed from utilitarian wares to the lovely art pottery Vasekraft line in 1909.

Martin Stangl was a ceramic engineer who was hired by Fulper in 1910 to develop new glazes and shapes for the thriving Fulper company.  Stangl Pottery Company became incorporated as a separate business in 1955.  By the 1940's, hand painted dinnerware was popularized and it was Stangl that led the way with beautiful lines sold thorough posh department stores in the United States.

By November 1978, inexpensive imports led to the demise of the business and Stangl ceased operations and closed its doors forever.  



Happy Hunting!
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Monday, August 4, 2014

Scenery

A truly happy person 
is one who can 
enjoy the scenery
on a detour.
-author unknown








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