Who owns Homer Laughlin Pottery?
Laughlin Pottery then became the Homer Laughlin China Company. In 1889, William Edwin Wells joined Homer Laughlin, and seven years later the two incorporated the company. Laughlin sold his interest to Wells shortly thereafter. The company moved operations across the Ohio River to West Virginia land purchased from the Newell family.
How many pieces of China did Homer Laughlin make a day?
By 1908, the Homer Laughlin China Company was producing 300,000 pieces a day, according to Homer Laughlin: Decades of Dinnerware by Bob Page (Replacements, Ltd.). In 1916 more kilns were added, and by 1920 the company could not keep up with demand.
What happened to Homer Laughlin?
He went to work looking at new shapes and glazes as part of expanding Homer Laughlin’s lines, and designing Fiesta was one of his achievements. Older Fiesta dinnerware is a perennial favorite among collectors. New Fiesta is still sold in department stores and other outlets today. Homer Laughlin China Co. made thousands of patterns of china.
When did Homer Laughlin sell his business to Wells?
By 1897, Homer Laughlin had decided to retire to California where his son had just graduated from Stanford University. He offered to sell the business to Mr. Wells and a financial partner, Louis I. Aaron of Pittsburgh. The sale was consummated on December 7, 1897. With new ownership came accelerated growth.
Who bought Homer Laughlin?
Steelite InternationalYOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Homer Laughlin China Co. and the Hall China Co. of Newell, W.Va., have sold their food service divisions to Steelite International of New Castle, Pa., for an undisclosed price. As a result, the iconic 150-year-old Homer Laughlin is changing its name to The Fiesta Tableware Co.
Is Homer Laughlin closing?
The Homer Laughlin and Hall China foodservice lines had been unprofitable for some time, and the company could no longer sustain them, CEO McIlvain wrote in a March letter to employees, according to Business Journal.
When did Homer Laughlin go out of business?
In 1879, Homer Laughlin bought out his brother Shakespeare, and the company became Homer Laughlin. (In 1896 it was renamed to its current moniker.) In 1880, he hired Wells as bookkeeper; when Laughlin eventually retired from the business in 1897, he would sell the company to Wells and his partners.
Is Homer Laughlin the same as Fiestaware?
Homer Laughlin began making its iconic brand of Fiesta Dinnerware in 1936, nearly 75 years ago. Fiesta was originally designed by Frederick Hurten Rhead; today it is the most collected brand of dinnerware.
Is Homer Laughlin China valuable?
Check with a china-replacement service and you will find that the retail value for a dinner plate is around $14 to $16.
Why did they stop making Fiestaware?
Since this uranium could be used in the production of an atomic bomb, Fiesta red became a victim of World War II when the US government confiscated the company's stocks of uranium. Fiesta red disappeared until 1959 when production resumed, this time using depleted uranium (DU) rather than the original natural uranium.
Does Homer Laughlin still make China?
The Homer Laughlin China Company is still, today, the U.S.A.'s largest producer of china. Some of the plants have been abandoned and closed but the company still operates at the Newell, West Virginia site.
Is Fiestaware still made in the USA?
We have the answers you may be looking for. Fiesta Tableware Company has proudly manufactured Fiesta® Dinnerware in Newell, WV, USA since 1936. True to our roots, Fiesta still utilizes manufacturing and hand crafted processes established from its introduction, yielding unique one of a kind characteristics.
What is the most valuable Fiestaware color?
Color: The original colors were Red, Cobalt, Yellow, Light Green, Old Ivory, and Turquoise. 1950s colors included Gray, Rose, Chartreuse, and Forest Green. The last –and rarest–color is Medium Green. Markings: The vintage items will have an inkstamp on the bottom that says GENUINE fiesta, with Fiesta all lowercase.
Can Homer Laughlin China go in dishwasher?
Dinnerware is lead free, fully vitrified ceramic, microwave and dishwasher safe, oven proof and boasts a five-year chip resistance guarantee.
Who makes Homer Laughlin China?
Fiesta Tableware CompanyTypePrivate, SubsidiaryIndustryCeramicsFounded1871FoundersHomer Laughlin Shakespeare LaughlinHeadquartersNewell, West Virginia , U.S.2 more rows
Why is Fiestaware so popular?
Fiestaware, a dining set released during the Great Depression, was favored by customers for its durability and bright colors. These dishes were designed for every dining occasion, replacing any classic white, fragile china.
Is Fiesta and Fiestaware the same thing?
Fiesta Is Made in America Fiestaware is proudly made in the U.S.A. All products are still created at the plant in Newell, West Virginia, the same town where the iconic Fiesta design was first developed over 75 years ago.
Is Fiestaware china or stoneware?
According to the Smithsonian Institution Press, Fiesta's appeal lies in its colors, design, and affordability. In 2002, The New York Times called Fiesta "the most collected brand of china in the United States".
When was Homer Laughlin Virginia Rose china made?
On November 22, 1932, one of the first Virginia Rose shapes, the 9" plate was released into production....Virginia Rose by Homer Laughlin.Platters and a casserole with pattern VR-209Plates, gravy, and liner with pattern VR-209Colonial Couple Set"Petit Point Windmill"27 more rows
How can I tell how old my fiestaware is?
Flip over a Fiesta dish, cup or trivet, and you can determine that piece's production date down to the quarter of the year, if it has the three letter code backstamp.
Who was the scientist that was hired by Homer Laughlin Company?
The Homer Laughlin Company hired Albert Victor Bleininger, a scientist in ceramics. Bleininger would remain with the company until his death in 1946. His first task was to build plant # 6.
Why did Homer Laughlin design the American Eagle?
Many potteries disguised their ware with marks reminiscent of English marks or named their ware "Royal" to give the connotation of English ware. Homer Laughlin however, designed a mark that showed the American Eagle on top of the British Lion. He wanted to show his confidence in the American ware.
What were the hazards of the work of Homer Laughlin?
The hazards of the job were many, mostly from the inhalation of the dusts associated with the production of the ware. In 1877 he was paying his employees more than their European or Asian counterparts. A skilled worker earned $2.33/day, an unskilled man $1.29/day, boys 0.82c/day and women and girls 0.75c/day. In 1880 he took 300 of his workers and their families by chartered train to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for an exposition in the afternoon and the opera in the evening. Laughlin was mindful of his workers and saw quality in them. In 1880 Homer hired W.E. Wells as bookkeeper. He would eventually become the general manager and today his descendants are still managing the company. He hired the first female secretary in 1888. Later in the companies history the plant would include a recreational park.
How many employees did the laughing brothers have?
Undaunted they persevered, calling themselves, "The Ohio Valley Pottery" and "Laughlin Bros. Pottery". By 1874 they had 100 employees. Their work finally paid off when in 1876 they were awarded a medal for best white ware at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
When did Homer retire?
In 1897 Homer retired from the business to pursue business interests in California. Wells, Louis, Marcus and Charles Aaron purchased interests in the company with Louis Aaron as president and Wells as secretary and general manager. They decided that they needed to expand.
When did Homer's pottery plant open?
They accepted the Council's offer on September 1, 1873, broke ground for the plant on October 1 and opened for production one year later on September 1, 1874.
Who did Homer hire as a bookkeeper?
Laughlin was mindful of his workers and saw quality in them. In 1880 Homer hired W.E. Wells as bookkeeper.
Where did Homer Laughlin China Co. move to?
The Homer Laughlin China Co. moved all operations to Newell, West Virginia, in 1907.
Where was Homer Laughlin born?
Biography. Homer Laughlin was born in Little Beaver Ohio on March 23, 1843, the son of a miller, merchant and postmaster, Matthew Laughlin (1799–1876), of Scotch-Irish descent, and Maria ( née Moore; 1814–1888), Homer Laughlin was educated at public schools and later at Neville Institute (now defunct). He did Civil War service from 1862 to 1865.
How did Homer Laughlin die?
attended Stanford University, where he married Ada Edwards, a physical culture instructor, in the university chapel. Homer Laughlin died of pneumonia on January 10, 1913 after an operation for appendicitis. He is interred in Inglewood Park Cemetery.
Where did Homer work?
Homer then moved to New York where he worked with his brother Shakespeare Moore Laughlin as an importer of English earthenware. In 1873, they built a pottery in East Liverpool, Ohio, which they ran as Laughlin Brothers until 1879, when Homer bought out Shakespeare.
Who was William McKinley's friend?
Laughlin was an intimate friend of President William McKinley for over thirty years and presided over the reception committee when McKinley visited Los Angeles. Laughlin was president of the U.S. Potters' Association for many years. He was a member of the Republican Club of New York, the California Club, Los Angeles, the Allegheny Commandery No.
Where did Gwendolyn live?
Gwendolyn lived in Los Angeles from the age of 10 when her parents retired there. They bought a large mansion, now demolished, at 666 West Adams Boulevard. At one time Gwendolyn was on the board of directors of Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
Who replaced Homer Laughlin?
Marcus Lester Aaron replaced him. Marcus Lester served as president for the next 48 years. In 1949, Homer Laughlin launched its Golden Wheat line, pieces of which appeared in Duz Deteregent. In the 1960s, a Russel Wright student designed Epicure. Wright’s dinnerware lines were produced by rival Steubenville Pottery.
Who was the founder of Homer Laughlin China?
The business continued at Homer Laughlin China Works. In 1889, William Edwin Wells joined the firm. In 1896, Laughlin and Wells incorporated the firm as the Homer Laughlin China Company. Shortly after incorporation and a desire from Homer Laughlin to retire to California, William Wells and a group of Pittsburg investors, led by Louis Aaron, ...
How many dishes did Homer Laughlin make?
The company has a contract with the U.S. military to supply china for use by troops at U.S. base camps. At its peak in 1948, Homer Laughlin produced over 10 million dishes. It is estimated that the company produced between 25,000 and 35,000 patterns.
What is the mark on Homer Laughlin?
Homer Laughlin pieces are well marked. A mark exists for almost every pattern and body shape. Common elements include: (1) the name “Homer Laughlin” and (2) a fleur-de-lis type mark of an “H” in the center of the downline of an “L,” the base of which can extend right or left and right.
When did Homer Laughlin buy Hall China?
In 2010, Homer Laughlin purchased Hall China. Homer Laughlin has a visitor center, museum, and factory outlet at its Newall plant.
When did Homer Laughlin start tunnel kilns?
When Louis Aaron retired in 1911, his son Louis became president. Homer Laughlin introduced tunnel kilns in 1924 at a newly constructed plant and also installed them in Plants #4 and #5, increasing the production speed. After a second plant was built in Newall in 1926, operations were consolidated in Newall and the East Liverpool, Ohio, ...
Where is Homer Laughlin pottery made?
In 1870, Homer and Shakespeare Laughlin established Laughlin Pottery, consisting of two pottery kilns in East Liverpool, Ohio. The firm made whiteware, an ironstone utilitarian ceramic form. Shakespeare left the company in 1879. The business continued at Homer Laughlin China Works. In 1889, William Edwin Wells joined the firm. In 1896, Laughlin and Wells incorporated the firm as the Homer Laughlin China Company.
Where was Homer Laughlin founded?
Homer Laughlin was founded in 1871 in East Liverpool by brothers Shakespeare and Homer Laughlin. It opened its Newell location in 1903. By the 1920s, all operations had been moved to Newell.
Who is the buyer of HLC tableware?
The buyer, Steelite International, will manufacture all of HLC’s tableware site at its Newell location 90 days from ...
Who makes HLC food service?
After that date, Steelite will be fully responsible for all HLC food service lines, except the Fiesta brand, which will continue to made in Newell and distributed by Steelite. The Fiesta Tableware Co., which is HLC’s new name, retained ownership of the brand.
Who is John Miles?
John Miles is the president and chief executive officer of Steelite. Miles has more than 30 years of experience in the dinnerware business, having worked at Woodmere China and Homer Laughlin before joining Steelite in 1996.
Who was Homer Laughlin's financial partner?
Laughlin was able to spend time traveling with his wife. By 1897, Homer Laughlin had decided to retire to California where his son had just graduated from Stanford University. He offered to sell the business to Mr. Wells and a financial partner, Louis I. Aaron of Pittsburgh.
How many kilns did Homer Laughlin have?
Rapid growth continued and, in 1914, plant #5 was opened with 16 additional kilns, giving the company a total of 78 ware kilns and 60 decorating kilns. In January, 1917, W. E. Wells wrote to the Woolworth Company to recap their business for the year of 1916. He stated "I think that I may safely say that this is the first time in history that the purchases of any one concern from any one pottery firm have reached the million (dollar) mark in one year". At an average price of 72 cents per dozen, that amounted to 16.7 million pieces of ware sold to one customer in one year.
What was the most famous product of Rhead?
Rhead designed Virginia Rose as well as the several Eggshell shapes. Rhead's most famous accomplishment, however, was Fiesta .
Where did Shakespeare and Homer laughlin come from?
Homer & Shakespeare Laughlin. Homer and Shakespeare Laughlin, two brothers from East Liverpool, Ohio, formed a partnership in 1871 to sell pottery ware, which was made in the factories located in their hometown. The pottery industry in East Liverpool had begun in the 1840's, manufacturing yellow ware from the rich deposits ...
Where was the Laughlin Brothers pottery plant?
The Laughlin Brothers submitted a proposal which was accepted by the Council and a two kiln plant was built on the banks of the Ohio River in 1873. The plant was built on land purchased from Benjamin Harker for $300. Mr. Harker's pottery was located next door.
Who wrote to Woolworth Company to recap their business for the year of 1916?
In January, 1917, W. E. Wells wrote to the Woolworth Company to recap their business for the year of 1916. He stated "I think that I may safely say that this is the first time in history that the purchases of any one concern from any one pottery firm have reached the million (dollar) mark in one year".
Where are Homer Laughlin products made?
Image courtesy The Homer Laughlin China Company. HLC’s products have always been made in America. The company was founded in 1871 as Laughlin Brothers in East Liverpool, Ohio, on the banks of the Ohio River. “East Liverpool was the pottery capital of the world back then,” said Katie Bricker, HLC’s Food Service and General Marketing Manager, ...
Where is HLC pottery made?
By 1905 the plant in Newell was the largest pottery plant in the world. The East Liverpool plants closed in the 1920s, and today HLC has five plants operating in Newell, with 1.5 million square feet of production space. In 2010 HLC bought local competitor Hall China in East Liverpool. The company currently has around 800 employees.
Who bought Shakespeare's company?
In 1879, Homer Laughlin bought out his brother Shakespeare, and the company became Homer Laughlin. (In 1896 it was renamed to its current moniker.) In 1880, he hired Wells as bookkeeper; when Laughlin eventually retired from the business in 1897, he would sell the company to Wells and his partners.
