Pottery Sales: Fine China of Japan, Franciscan, Metlox, Stetson, Carrollton, Nasco, Johnson Brothers, Lenox

It looks as if I will only be able to keep track of what is happening until after the Holidays and than add the details later. This will be particularly true of new acquisitions as I don't really have time to photograph and list everything.

RECENT SALES

Fine China of Japan Platinum Rose Dinnerware Lot
Description - Gray/White roses on rims, platinum trim and verge. Discontinued in 1977. Excellent used condition with no chips, cracks or crazing.
Historical Data -- Fine China of Japan has issued many beautiful patterns over the years. I don't know much about the company, but they appear to have worked under contract for many large U.S. retailers (Sears, Wards, etc.etc.). The mark may have been used by a distribution agency in Japan representing them.

This Lot consisted of:

3 Dinner Plates (replacement value 11/09 $9.99 @

6 Coupe Soup Bowls (replacement value 11/09 $9.99 @

7 Bread Plates (replacement value 11/09 $4.99 @

Franciscan Sculptures Primary White Cereal Bowls
Description -- California Pottery, Sculptures Line. 7 3/8" opening diameter x 3 3/4" foot ring x 1 1/4" deep, solid white body. Primary pieces could be used with any of the sculpture patterns in that color. Excellent used condition with no chips, cracks or crazing. One bowl has a partial bottom mark the other two have none. Current (11/09) replacement value $33.99 each.

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.

Sculptures Line -- When Sculptures was introduced in 1977 it offered consumers the freedom of choosing to set their tables with pieces that were all in the same pattern or giving each place setting a different but complimentary design. Discontinued in 1983.

More Franciscan Sculpture at Quality Junk in the Atomic Mall

All Franciscan Sculpture Postings in this Blog

Metlox Red Rooster Plates
Description -- California Pottery, Poppytrail Division, Provincial Shape One. 10" diameter dinner plates & 6 3/8" diameter bread plates, brown rim, rooster center. Excellent used condition, no damage. First issued in 1955 and discontinued in 1979.(06/09) replacement values (06/09) dinner plates $17.99 each, bread plates $7.99 each.

Vintage Advertising -- 1968 Metlox Brochure - "Early American with the exciting red coloring that lends style and life to Provincial Ware. The smokey effect on the edges and handles suggest age and enhance the antique feeling."

Historical Data -- The beginning of Metlox Manufacturing Company dates back to 1927 in Manhattan Beach, Ca when Willis and T. C. Prouty became interested in producing the ceramic portion of neon signs.Metlox Manufacturing Company was incorporated in the state of California in 1933. Metlox Manufacturing Company's incorporation was terminated on January 4, 1988.

More Metlox at Quality Junk in the Atomic Mall

All Metlox Postings in this Blog

Stetson STT 125 Dinnerware Lot
Description -- Yellow and black blooming dogwood flowers on white body. Made in America with Eagle inkstamped on reverse (Many Stetson pieces were marked like this or simply left unmarked). Excellent used condition with no damage. I am listing a variety of pieces in this pattern.This was a combined lot sale as follows:
2 cup & Saucer Sets 4 Salad Plates 1 Serving Bowl

Historical Data -- Stetson was founded by Louis Stetson in Lincoln Illinois as a decorating company using blanks purchased from other companies (primarily the Mt Clemens Pottery). In 1946 they purchased the Illinois China Company in order to make their own ware. Stetson China used decal transfers for its entire lifetown except for a three year period, 1954 - 1956, when it used hand painting exclusively. They went out of business in 1965. Nearly all of their ware was sold to jobbers in Chicago to be used as gas station and grocery store premiums.

More Stetson at Quality Junk in the Atomic Mall

All Stetson Postings in this Blog

Carrollton Floral Sprays Platter
Description -- Pattern #148. All white body, scalloped edge with gold trim and highlights. Yellow ball like flowers with brown lines. 11 5/8" x 8 1/2". Good used condition with no chips or cracks. There is light crazing, trim wear and some under glaze staining in the well. Estimated replacement $39.99.

Historical Data -- Carrollton China, East Liverpool, Ohio - established 1903 -was one of the eight major American china production firms to merge in 1929 under the American Chinaware Corporation, along with Knowles Taylor Knowles, Pope Gosser and the Harker Pottery Company due to the rapid decline in the industry during the Depression. The merger was short lived and closed it's doors in 1932.

Nasco Japan Mountain Woodland Jam Pot Set

Description -- Made in Japan. All white body with attached underplate. Brown country scene in center, multicolored highlights. overall dimensions 5 3/8" high with lid x 3" foot ring x 5 3/8" high. Excellent used condition with a single small ding in the inner rim of the pot. There is light age crazing close up. Beautiful bright colors with no fading. Nasco Mountain Woodland mark on bottom. Current (05/09) replacement value $36.99. Very difficult to find in this great condition with the top and ladle.

Historical Data -- Nasco was a major importer of household and gift items from around the world but their main source was post-war Japanese manufacturers.

More Nasco at Quality Junk in the Atomic Mall

All NASCO postings in this blog

Johnson Brothers Mt. Rushmore Mug
Description -- 3 3/8", high. Sepia background with multicolored highlights of Mt. Rushmore. Excellent used condition with no damage.

Historical Data -- Johnson Brothers China was established in Stoke-on-Trent (Staffordshire Area) England. The company remains an international leader in the tableware industry.

More Johnson Brothers at Quality Junk in the Atomic Mall

All Johnson Brothers postings in this blog

Lenox Federal Gold Bread Plates
Description -- Classics Collection. 6 3/8" diameter, all white body with gold trim and verge line. Excellent used condition with no chips, cracks or crazing. First issued in 1987 and discontinued in 2004. Current (04/09) replacement value $15.99 each.

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.

More Lenox at Quality Junk in the Atomic Mall

All Lenox postings in this blog

Details as time allows. Thanks for listening .... ☺☺☺☺

Pottery Sales: Frankoma, Mikasa, California Pottery, Royal (USA), Haeger, Metlox, Franciscan

Hopefully this will be the last major update that I am forced to do in pieces. The Holiday Sales period is drawing to an end and Google shopping seems to have stopped making changes that are very time consuming and don't seem to have much impact on us "little shops" in terms of sales.

RECENT SALES

Frankoma "Teenagers of the Bible" Wall Plate

Description -- Jesus the Carpenter". 7 1/8" diameter, 1st in a series of ten plates. Clay body with raised design of Jesus with chisel. Signed on reverse. Issued for the benefit of Youth for Christ International in 1972. Excellent used condition with no chips, cracks or crazing.

Historical Data -- Frankoma Pottery was originally known as The Frank Potteries when John F. Frank opened shop in 1933 in Norman, Oklahoma. In 1938 they moved to Sapulpa. Early wares were made from a light cream-colored clay from Ada, Oklahoma, but in 1956 the company switched to a red burning clay from Sapulpa. John Frank died in 1973 and his daughter, Joniece, inherited the business. Frankoma went bankrupt in 1990. It was bought by Richard Bernstein in 1991 and is still operating.

More Frankoma at Quality Junk in the Atomic Mall

All Frankoma Postings in this Blog

Mikasa Amherst Dinner Plates

Description --Pattern 5874, 10 3/8" diameter. Black circles, gold band, scrolls on red rim. Excellent used condition with no damage. Issue dates unknown. Current (05/09) replacement value $35.99 each.

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.

More Mikasa Amherst at Quality Junk in the Atomic Mall

All Mikasa Postings in this Blog

California Pottery Soup Tureen Set

Description -- Complete with lid, ladle and underplate. All White body, swirl design, with raised grape and leaves design. Overall dimensions 13" x 10 1/2" x 9" tall. Very Good used condition with medium age crazing and a 1/4" rub on the edge of the underplate. "CALIF USA" "783" incised under glaze on bottom. Beautiful piece of California Pottery. I believe this to be circa 1950's.

Historical Data -- The pottery industry in California dates back to the days of the conquistadors. The term California Pottery is primarily used when referring to the many Southern California Potteries that were in operation from the late 1800's to present day. It is a collecting venue that is definitely on the rise and presents the prospect of worthwhile investment with an excellent potential for increased value.

More California Pottery at Quality Junk in the Atomic Mall

Royal Old Curiosity Shop Serving Bowl

Description -- Royal China (USA) - Old Curiosity Shop serving bowl. These are the hard to find 10" serving bowl. The more common 9 1/8" bowl has a lower replacement value, but this size has a replacement value (05/09) of $49.99. This bowl is unmarked but I have no doubt that it is Royal Old Curiosity Shop. Center design is a chest and jug. Excellent condition with no chips, cracks or crazing.

Historical Data -- Royal China operated in Ohio from 1934 to 1986. It was purchased by the Jeanette Glass Corp in 1969 but continued to operate under the Royal name. Operations ceased in 1986.

More Old Curiosity Shop at Quality Junk in the Atomic Mall

All Royal USA Postings in this Blog

Haeger Black Panther Figurine

Description -- Shiny black glossy glaze except for the paw bottoms. 23 1/2" x 5 1/4" x 4". Excellent used condition except for bottom wear. Intact but worn paper labels. While the copywrite tag dates this item to 1996, I remember these from my high school days (long, long ago). I'm not sure about value, but I do see them on line occasionally for $50-$90.

Historical Data -- Haeger Potteries of Dundee, Illinois. Founded in 1871 as the Dundee Brickyard (made much of the brick used to rebuild Chicago after the Great Fire) and is still producing fine pottery today.

More Haeger at Quality Junk in the Atomic Mall

All Haeger Postings in this Blog

Metlox Red Rooster Salad Plates
Description -- California Pottery, Poppytrail Division, Provincial Shape One. 7 1/2" diameter, brown rim, rooster center. Excellent used condition, no damage. First issued in 1955 and discontinued in 1979. Current (06/09) replacement value $9.99 each.

Vintage Advertising -- 1968 Metlox Brochure - "Early American with the exciting red coloring that lends style and life to Provincial Ware. The smokey effect on the edges and handles suggest age andenhance the antique feeling."

Historical Data -- The beginning of Metlox Manufacturing Company dates back to 1927 in Manhattan Beach, Ca when Willis and T. C. Prouty became interested in producing the ceramic portion of neon signs.Metlox Manufacturing Company was incorporated in the state of California in 1933. Metlox Manufacturing Company's incorporation was terminated on January 4, 1988.

More Metlox at Quality Junk in the Atomic Mall

All Metlox Postings in this Blog

Franciscan Hacienda Gold Soup Bowls & Dinner Plates


Description -- California Pottery, Hacienda Line. 10 3/4" diameter dinner plates, 6 3/8" diameter cereal bowls. Gold and tan geometric band. 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. Current replacement value $13.99. These are heavy earthenware plates.

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.


More Franciscan Hacienda at Quality Junk in the Atomic Mall

All Franciscan Postings in this Blog

Franciscan Duet Dinner Plates

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.

More Franciscan at Quality Junk in the Atomic Mall

All Franciscan Postings in this Blog

Details to follow. Thanks for listening .... ☺☺☺☺

Swap Meet Pottery - Franciscan, Metlox, Danbury Mint, Royal Worchester, Royal (USA), NASCO (USA)

A great day at the swap meet today. This is the first time in a long time I have had to go back to pickup merchandise that I just couldn't carry the first time in my trusty vintage Kipling backpack. I just wish I didn't have so much cleanup to do on my listings to get into compliance with googles new Marketplace Policies, but I guess that's just the way it is. I won't get around to listing these for a while and there are some super items in this buy.

Franciscan Platinum Band (Encanto Shape) Well today I'm starting right off with the find of the day. A mixed lot of Franciscan Platinum Band Fine China from their Encanto (Coupe shape) Line. This pattern was also made in their Merced (Rim shape) Line. This lot was a steal. It had around $1000.00 in replacement value, but as soon as I unpacked it and turned my back one of my 4 legged stock room assistants broke the gravy boat so now it's only around $900.00. Still a bargain considering what I paid (Top Secret). I had a few choice words for the cat which I cannot repeat here because this is not an adult site. I haven't seen him since.

Platinum Band is the pattern name and it is just that. Ivory body with platinum trim and highlights, coupe shape. Issued from 1951 to 1981. Designed by Franciscan's design director Mary K. Grant.

This Lot now consists of 6 dinner plates, 8 cup sets, sugar bowl w/lid, creamer, 3 fruit bowls, 5 salad plates, 8 bread plates, an oval vegetable bowl and a 12" platter.

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.

More Franciscan at Quality Junk in the Atomic Mall

Metlox Sculptured Zinnia Next out of the box was a couple of pieces of Metlox Sculptured Zinnia. A round divided vegetable bowl and a 14 1/4" platter (This is the larger of the two platters in this pattern. Sculptured Zinnia was one on the patterns in the second group of traditional shapes issued by Metlox from their Poppytrail Division. In addition to the basic pattern, zinnia was also issued in three color variations Lavender Blue & Memories (both designed by Helen McIntosh) and Floralace (a citron yellow body with snow white flowers). Sculptured Zinnia was issued from 1964-1979.

A company brochure describes Sculptured Zinnia: "So bold and different, and understandably right in fashion, because flowers have always been used for beautiful table settings. The Zinnias are carved with minute attention to detail, and hand painted in the luxurious combination of yellow-gold, orange, greens, and browns, against a cream-white background."

I was particularly pleased to get these two pieces because I am a big fan of California Pottery and I have been sold out of Sculptured Zinnia for a long time.

Historical Data -- The beginning of Metlox Manufacturing Company dates back to 1927 in Manhattan Beach, Ca when Willis and T. C. Prouty became interested in producing the ceramic portion of neon signs.Metlox Manufacturing Company was incorporated in the state of California in 1933. Metlox Manufacturing Company's incorporation was terminated on January 4, 1988.

More Metlox at Quality Junk in the Atomic Mall

Danbury Mint Sailing Ship Tankards (10 different) The first item I bought today was a box of ten different Danbury Mint Sailing Ship Tankards. Usually I steer clear of collectibles like these, but being an old sailor, I just couldn't resist the temptation.

So far I haven't found out much about these. From the bottom mark I know that there were 12 in the set so I am missing 2. Since I will offer them individually the missing items are no big deal. Also from the mark I know that the artist apparently was named Robert Devereaux and that the artwork appears to have been done on commission from Danbury Mint. I have not been able to find any information about him. Other than that I see a couple of the tankards offered on line but with no additional information.

The ten that I do have are: Bon Homme Richard, Cutty Sark, Sea Witch, Victory, Flying Cloud, Mayflower, Golden Hind, Santa Maria, Constitution and Half Moon.

Historical Data - The Danbury Mint is a world leader in the design and development of fine collectibles.

For over three decades, they have been serving the needs of collectors to acquire keepsakes of lasting meaning, beauty and importance. They take great pride and pleasure in presenting collectors and enthusiasts with a varied and ever-changing assortment of quality products.

*** This item was removed from my store as a gift to a friend. ***

Royal Worcester Cabbage Patch Kids Bowl Next, A Royal Worcester Cabbage Patch Kids Bowl. This is another item that I normally would have passed on, but I have a lot of memories of my wife making custom made clothes for these Cabbage Patch Dolls and selling them at our local swap meet when they were the "in" toy. I was surprised to see that this piece was mad by Royal Worcester. A company that I am very familiar with.

Historical Data -- Royal Worcester has been made by the Worcester Porcelain Company in Worcester, England from 1862 to present.

More Royal Worcester at Quality Junk in the Atomic Mall

Royal China (USA) Bucks County Dinner Plates
I have sold Royal China Bucks County plates before and so I was more than happy to pick some up at a decent price. These are 10" diameter dinner plates and have a pastel yellow background with dark brown designs depicting early American farm life. Pennsylvania Dutch style flowers and dancers circle the rim.

Historical Data - Royal China operated in Ohio from 1934 to 1986. Royal was purchased by Jeanette Glass in 1969 but continued to operate with Royal marks.

More Royal China (USA) at Quality Junk in the Atomic Mall

NASCO (USA) Fascination PlatesThose of you that have followed my blog for a while should know that I am a sucker for almost any pottery that I have never seen before or even better never heard of either, These plates are marked NASCO and while I have seen and sold lots of NASCO pottery in the past it has always been Japanese made. As a matter of note, this pattern was also made in Japan with an all white body instead of the mustard color.

More NASCO at Quality Junk in the Atomic Mall

As usual I will add pics and info as I research and list.
Thanks for listening...☺☺☺☺

Another Goodwill Score - Metlox Fruit Basket Chop Plate

Sent off my Franciscan Creole Plate this morning and of course I had to stop at Goodwill for a little "looksee". They had a very nice selection of Franciscan Madeira, but I have a lot of Madiera and it hasn't sold that well for me so I passed it by. Here's what I currently have listed:

Franciscan Madiera at Quality Junk in the Atomic Mall






Than I spotted a huge (14") Metlox Fruit Basket Chop Plate. (Update 08/09) Listed:



Metlox Fruit Basket Chop Plate at Quality Junk in the Atomic Mall
Although this is a fairly common pattern, I knew from experience that these extra large chop plates are fairly rare in this really great condition and when I saw the price was right I snapped it up. when I got back to the house I discovered with glee that it has a current replacement cost of $54.99. I'll list it tomorrow if I have time. Here is a link to the only other Fruit Basket I have:

Metlox Fruit Basket Vegetable Bowl at Quality Junk in the Atomic Mall

I spent most of the rest of the day fighting with the Brock pieces that I was trying to list. It is really difficult to try and get any kind of accurate information about ware from any company when there is hardly any reference material available and Brock is one of these companies. I listed two more pieces today and it was interesting.

One is a Harvest (Brown) Pepper Shaker. I had a hard time finding any info, but I finally sorted it out and discovered that Brock actually had issued three different shapes of Salt and Pepper Shakers with their Provincial (my name) patterns. This one is in the Jug shape and the other two were Candlestick and Milk Can. I don't know if all of three of these were issued in all of these patterns, but it looks like they were. The Milk Can Shape appears to be the one that is most available.

The other piece is a Chanticleer mini ewer or carafe. It is identical to the the large coffee carafes in these patterns except that it is only 4 1/2" tall. It has a very bad chip in the rim just behind the spout and ordinarily I wouldn't have listed it, but since I couldn't find any available or even proof that they existed, I decided it was scarce enough to preserve and offer to some dedicated Brock collector.

Here's the link again:

Brock of California at Quality Junk in the Atomic Mall

I promise to try and be more productive tomorrow.
Thanks for listening... ☺☺☺☺