California Clay & Paint

The man most responsible for many of us learning about Fran and finding our passion is James Elliot-Bishop (here with Patrick on his right).
James wrote the definitive works available on Gladding McBean Pottery, "Franciscan, Catalina, and Other Gladding McBean Wares" (known amongst the faithful as "the red book or James I"), and it's follow up guide "Franciscan Hand Decorated Embossed Dinnerware" ("the yellow book or James II"). Both are available through Schiffer Publishing.



James's research and love of pottery led him to meet many of the serious collectors around the country and create a Yahoo group to help find out more while he worked on his books. Eventually, those of us that joined up found each other, formed social groups, friendships and long serious ties.
We make large group meetings once or twice a year, and have many smaller group gatherings amongst our friends. Most of us have at least 2 or 3 other collectors that we have visited, gone on trips with, and shared far more than just a love of glazed pottery.