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Married with six children and 11 grandchildren. retired from USN in 1988 with 30 years of active service.

Friday, February 05, 2010

Pottery Sales: Franciscan, Fukagawa, Lenox, Mikasa, Syracuse

I am finally getting around to playing a little catch up. Here is a list of sales in 2010 so far.
RECENT SALES


Franciscan Hacienda Gold Salad & Bread Plates


Description -- California Pottery, Hacienda Line. White body with yellow and tan geometric bands and flowers. First issued in 1965 and discontinued in 1983. Excellent used condition, no chips, cracks or crazing. In the 1960's, the "hand made" look was back in favor with consumers and the ringed grooves of the Hacienda line were a successful entry into the dinnerware market by Franciscan. US Backstamp.

Historical Data -- Gladding, McBean and Company started in 1875. The company grew and acquired other potteries. They made sewer pipes, floor tiles, dinnerwares, and art pottery with a variety of trademarks. In 1934, dinnerware and art pottery were sold under the name Franciscan Ware. The company became Interpace Corporation and in 1979 was purchased by Josiah Wedgwood & Sons. The plant was closed in 1984 and all production was moved to England.


Syracuse Sauce Bowls


Description -- Restaurantware. 3" diameter x 1 1/2" foot ring, white body, blue & red band with crosses and scrolls. Blue wreath with HPH monogram in center, yellow roses. Excellent used condition with no chips, cracks or crazing. While we are offering these individually there will be a considerable shipping discont for multiple purchases. I have not been able to decypher the HPH monogram although I assume it to be a restaurant or hotel.

Historical Data -- Syracuse China, located in Lyncourt, New York (a suburb of Syracuse), was founded in 1871 as Onondaga Pottery Company (O.P. Co.) in the town of Geddes next to Syracuse and is still producing to this day. Initially a producer of earthenware, in the late 19th century, O.P.Co., under President James Pass, developed a new china body and won the medal for translucent china at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. In 1897 production turned to the vitreous china body. Its first colored china body, "Old Ivory," appeared in 1926. The company thrived with its hotel and railroad sales. The narrow-bodied "Econo-Rim" was tailored for the cramped table space of dining cars. Highly sought after collectible patterns sell regularly on eBay and at estate sales. The company was renowned for its fine china designs until 1970 when it limited its production to mostly restaurant dinnerware. They purchased the Mayer China Co and the Shenango China Co in 1984. In 1995, Libbey Inc. of Toledo, Ohio purchased the Syracuse China Company to complement its strong presence in the food service industry. My best information is that Libbey is closing the plant in 2009 and will manufacture off shore with the Syracuse trademark.


Mikasa Kabuki Dinner Plates



Description -- Mikasa Fine China Line Kabuki Dinner Plates. L9011 Japan. 10 1/2" diameter, White body with green band and multicolored floral design. First issued in 1978 and was discontinued in 1985. Excellent used condition with no chips, cracks or crazing. Current (05/09) replacement value $19.99.

Historical Data -- In the 1930's, Mikasa was established as an international trading company based in Secaucus, New Jersey. Named in honor of Prince Mikasa, the youngest brother of Emperor Hirohito, Mikasa soon became one of the most recognized Japanese brand names in the West. The company itself never attempted to "manufacture" any of its dinnerware. Rather, the Mikasa branded items were imported from Japan, Ireland, England, France, and Germany. By the 1950's customer requests were pouring in from all parts of the country, and department stores could not shelve enough stock to meet demand. By the early 1960's, Mikasa had established a reputation as "the pioneer of American casual." The 1970's brought new retail store locations. Showrooms and warehouses appeared in Canada, Europe, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. In an effort to stay as competitive as possible during the 1980's, Mikasa added crystal stemware, stainless steel flatware and other household accessories to its product offerings. Today, Mikasa continues to leverage the momentum it has built over the decades since its start.


Lenox Poppies on Blue Salt & Pepper Shakers


Description -- Chinastone Line. 3" tall x 2 3/8" wide, deep blue accents, red flowers. Excellent used condition with no damage. First issued in 1984 and discontinued in 2007. Current (01/10) replacement value $89.95.

Historical Data -- Lenox is the name of a porcelain maker. Walter Scott Lenox and Jonathan Coxon, Sr., founded the Ceramic Art Company in Trenton, New Jersey, in 1889. In 1906, Lenox left and started his own company called Lenox. The company makes a porcelain that is similar to Irish Belleek. Their superior dinnerware has made the company famous. Lenox was bought by Department 56 in 2005.


Fukagawa Arita Gold Bamboo Bud Vases



Description -- Arita, Pattern 901. 5 1/4" tall. Handpainted Gold & Gray bamboo trees on white body with gold trim. Excellent used condition with no chips, cracks or crazing. Estimated (10/09) replacement value $12.99 each.

Historical Data -- In 1894 the modern Fukagawa company was founded in Arita by Chuji Fukagawa, with the Fukagawa mark of Mount Fuji and a stream, as its trade mark. The Fukagawa company has served as purveyor for the Japanese Imperial Household since 1910 and only produces white true high temperature porcelain.


Franciscan Madeira Covered Sugar Bowl


Description -- Franciscan Madeira Sugar Bowl w/Lid California Pottery. No damage, excellent used condition. First issued in 1967 and discontinued in 1983. Current replacement value on this sugar bowl is $24.99.

Historical Data: -- Franciscan Ware, or Franciscan Pottery as it was first named in 1934, was manufactured by Gladding-McBean and Company of Glendale, CA. The Franciscan line continued in California until 1984 when the facility at Glendale was closed and all production moved to England. Franciscan is now a part of the Wedgewood Group.


Franciscan Pomegranate Shaker & Dinner Plates


Description -- California Pottery, Eclipse Line. Same elliptical shape as the very popular Starburst pattern. Speckled tan background with sprays of gray and rust colored pomegranates. First issued in 1954 and discontinued in 1958. Excellent used condition with no damage.

Historical Data -- Gladding, McBean and Company started in 1875. The company grew and acquired other potteries. They made sewer pipes, floor tiles, dinnerwares, and art pottery with a variety of trademarks. In 1934, dinnerware and art pottery were sold under the name Franciscan Ware. The company became Interpace Corporation and in 1979 was purchased by Josiah Wedgwood & Sons. The plant was closed in 1984 and all production was moved to England.

Eclipse Shape -- Eclipse shapes were designed by Franciscan staff designer George James and are representative of typical mid 20th century household dinnerware.


Franciscan Duet Dinner Plates

Franciscan Duet Dinner Plate - click for full size viewFranciscan Duet Dinner Plate Detail View - click for full size view


Description -- California Pottery. Eclipse Line. 10 7/8" diameter, 2 pink flowers & gray stems. Excellent used condition with no chips, cracks or crazing. Current replacement value on these plates is $13.99 each. Duet was first issued in 1956 and was discontinued in 1961..

Duet -- Duet came in 1956 and evokes images of large tail finned cars and the romance of teenage beach movies. Two romanticized red roses lie entwined to one side of the pieces, exaggerating the already irregular shape. With pink and black colors, it is the embodimentof a 1950's kitchen. This is period dinnerware on a family shape that showcases some of the finest of mid-century design. ("Franciscan - An American Dinnerware Tradition" by Bob Page and Dale Frederiksen)

Historical Data -- Gladding, McBean and Company started in 1875. The company grew and acquired other potteries. They made sewer pipes, floor tiles, dinnerwares, and art pottery with a variety of trademarks. In 1934, dinnerware and art pottery were sold under the name Franciscan Ware. The company became Interpace Corporation and in 1979 was purchased by Josiah Wedgwood & Sons. The plant was closed in 1984 and all production was moved to England.


Details to follow later.

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