Friday, January 12, 2007
Isn't that SPECIAL!
The success that Gladding McBean had within the industry made it a natural for other companies to turn to when they wanted to create special items. Some of the time, the connection with GMcB was obvious (the stamp was right on the item), and other times, there was no stamp nor any mention of the GMcB connection when the item was distributed.
For years, not a lot of collectors knew of many of these items existance, and even now, there are some that are only rumors waiting to be discovered or discounted as hoaxes and dreams.
Some items are singular creations, such as the Don the Beachcomber mugs created for Trader Vic's Bar trade.
Some were limited sets made for various promotional ideas.
And some were made in so many colors and patterns that no one is sure when a collection is "complete".
Companies such as Sunkist commissioned salad bowls, creamer and sugar sets, and small pots to use as give aways as they promoted their products.
Others, such as the perfume jars, were created not to "give away" the product, but as a special enhancement for it. "Fragrance de heriot" was one of these items.
There were special Oxblood vases created, several of which have turned up as lamps.
Tumblers for juice and drinks were also included in several promotions, including one short tumber associated with the Sperry Flour give aways.
This honeypot was made for an unknown company. The Beachomber mug is owned by the same sharp eyed collector.
The Sperry flour company offered "mail away" promotions with cupons from their products. Salt & pepper shakers (in at least 4 known colors) are fairly common and easy to come by if searched for. Much more difficult to find are the stoppers for the bottoms. The GMcB collectors group has one great man who sells replacement rubber stoppers for all the S&P lines.
The stacking creamer and sugar
and their accompanying tea pot (not shown) were favorites of Sperry customers.
The line's wonderful clean look and futuristic design were a hit in the 50's.
The JIffy Juicer company commissioned special juicers in 2 sizes. They are WONDERFUL to use with fresh fruit (no drips while squeezing), but they were difficult to produce due to the extremely delicate edges on the juice cap. There are very few that do not have subtle flaws under the glaze if looked at closely, and most, sadly, have chips through the glaze in this area. "Factory" perfect ones command high prices.
Batter bowls and small covered casseroles (individual casseroles for Tuna?) come up frequently misidentified.
Betty Crocker cake mix company had GMcB create thousands of these yellow mixing bowls. Some have the Betty Crocker name stamped on the bottom, some do not.
The National Silver Company - NASCO- asked for a complete line of covered casseroles that came in 2 sizes. NASCO crated the holders- usual solverplate, some wooden- that they came in. Few are found with their holders today.
There was a set of 5 with lids depicting various places in America, and a set with floral motifs. Some were single glaxze covered (all white, all red) and some were white glaze with colored flowers on the lids.
IN perfect condition, they are hard to find and often end up in bidding wars.They are VERY desirable, and very useful in the kitchen, making great dishes for microwave to table use.
Nasco also commissioned salad bowls and pie plates, both of which are much less easily identified.
Records from the company show 5 pages of detailed descriptions and small line drawings of various specials that were either created or in early design stages when the factory was closed. Collectors search to complete sets, identify the various items, and then connect them with the companies they were created for.
Companies like Sperry Flour closed down the plants that commissioned the wares, and records are difficult to track down. Hunting specials is an art worthy of Sherlock Holmes and a wonderful hobby for pottery enthusiasts that enjoy elusive treasures.
Also created were plates for the Barker Brothers Department store chain, Wine bottles created for a Napa Valley Winery, Art Ware for the 1939 San Francisco Golden Gate Exposition (which was also the creation of Treasure Island),Bookends, planters, Cocktail shakers, even one reference to a dog bowl. Some pieces that were standard EP designs were sent to Silver City and became silver filligree covered.
The success that Gladding McBean had within the industry made it a natural for other companies to turn to when they wanted to create special items. Some of the time, the connection with GMcB was obvious (the stamp was right on the item), and other times, there was no stamp nor any mention of the GMcB connection when the item was distributed.
For years, not a lot of collectors knew of many of these items existance, and even now, there are some that are only rumors waiting to be discovered or discounted as hoaxes and dreams.
Some items are singular creations, such as the Don the Beachcomber mugs created for Trader Vic's Bar trade.
Some were limited sets made for various promotional ideas.
And some were made in so many colors and patterns that no one is sure when a collection is "complete".
Companies such as Sunkist commissioned salad bowls, creamer and sugar sets, and small pots to use as give aways as they promoted their products.
Others, such as the perfume jars, were created not to "give away" the product, but as a special enhancement for it. "Fragrance de heriot" was one of these items.
There were special Oxblood vases created, several of which have turned up as lamps.
Tumblers for juice and drinks were also included in several promotions, including one short tumber associated with the Sperry Flour give aways.
This honeypot was made for an unknown company. The Beachomber mug is owned by the same sharp eyed collector.
The Sperry flour company offered "mail away" promotions with cupons from their products. Salt & pepper shakers (in at least 4 known colors) are fairly common and easy to come by if searched for. Much more difficult to find are the stoppers for the bottoms. The GMcB collectors group has one great man who sells replacement rubber stoppers for all the S&P lines.
The stacking creamer and sugar
and their accompanying tea pot (not shown) were favorites of Sperry customers.
The line's wonderful clean look and futuristic design were a hit in the 50's.
The JIffy Juicer company commissioned special juicers in 2 sizes. They are WONDERFUL to use with fresh fruit (no drips while squeezing), but they were difficult to produce due to the extremely delicate edges on the juice cap. There are very few that do not have subtle flaws under the glaze if looked at closely, and most, sadly, have chips through the glaze in this area. "Factory" perfect ones command high prices.
Batter bowls and small covered casseroles (individual casseroles for Tuna?) come up frequently misidentified.
Betty Crocker cake mix company had GMcB create thousands of these yellow mixing bowls. Some have the Betty Crocker name stamped on the bottom, some do not.
The National Silver Company - NASCO- asked for a complete line of covered casseroles that came in 2 sizes. NASCO crated the holders- usual solverplate, some wooden- that they came in. Few are found with their holders today.
There was a set of 5 with lids depicting various places in America, and a set with floral motifs. Some were single glaxze covered (all white, all red) and some were white glaze with colored flowers on the lids.
IN perfect condition, they are hard to find and often end up in bidding wars.They are VERY desirable, and very useful in the kitchen, making great dishes for microwave to table use.
Nasco also commissioned salad bowls and pie plates, both of which are much less easily identified.
Records from the company show 5 pages of detailed descriptions and small line drawings of various specials that were either created or in early design stages when the factory was closed. Collectors search to complete sets, identify the various items, and then connect them with the companies they were created for.
Companies like Sperry Flour closed down the plants that commissioned the wares, and records are difficult to track down. Hunting specials is an art worthy of Sherlock Holmes and a wonderful hobby for pottery enthusiasts that enjoy elusive treasures.
Also created were plates for the Barker Brothers Department store chain, Wine bottles created for a Napa Valley Winery, Art Ware for the 1939 San Francisco Golden Gate Exposition (which was also the creation of Treasure Island),Bookends, planters, Cocktail shakers, even one reference to a dog bowl. Some pieces that were standard EP designs were sent to Silver City and became silver filligree covered.
# posted by Renaissancewriter @ 12:11 AM 
