Fiestaware China By Homer Laughlin China

Fiestaware glassware is able to be used in both restuarants and at home. The dinnerware and pottery is a simply designed, colorful and durable line of glassware considered to be the first “real” china in the United States. The vivid hues and graceful yet simple curved lines captured the interest of both workers in the restaurant industry and housewives. One way to identify Fiestaware is by the design of concentric circles that appear somewhere on all of the pieces. Plates have the circle groupings at the edges, as do mugs and cups. Bowls have the indentifying circles inside them on the inner bottom, and on the upper edges. Oval platters have the circles around the edges as well, and usually on the middle bottom of each piece there is another smaller grouping of circles.

When Homer and Shakespeare Laughlin began a pottery company in 1871 in East Liverpool, OH, they never dreamed that their china would become so popular not only for home and restaurant use, but would go on to be prized collectibles worth a great deal of money. The “vintage” Fiestaware was made from the 1930’s until 1973 when production stopped. Fiestaware production began again in 1986, with a whole new rainbow of colors and lovely serving pieces, along with the everyday place settings that are similar to the vintage Fiesta. Both catagories are charming and highly sought out by collectors. In 1872, the East Liverpool City Council offered a $5,000.00 prize to whoever would agree to build a pottery in their town. The Laughlin brothers had experience in sales and production, but had little knowledge of pottery making at that time. By 1876, their business had 2 kilns, 60 employees, and was producing 500 pieces of dinnerware on a daily basis. The great quality of this pottery won the highest award at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, PA. Shakespeare left the pottery business and Homer continued onward himself for 10 years. William Wells joined Homer in 1889, and the firm incorporated. Then Laughlin sold his interest to Wells and a Pittsburgh group led by a Marcus Aaron.

As the business quickly grew, it moved from OH and by 1929 they had built 8 plants at the new site in Newell, WV, where it is still located today. At the height of production, the company employed 2,500 people, produced 30,000 dozen pieces of dinnerware daily, and needed 1,500,000 square feet of production area. By this time, mass production techniques were necessary because the old fashioned way of dipping tubs gave way to the use of conveyor belts and spray glazing, and mechanical jiggering machines had to replace man powered molding machines. Some of the same molding machines are still used in the making of Fiestaware until this day though, so although more colors are available, some of the same lovely shapes are still the same.

The Fiestaware line was designed by Fredrick Rhead, an English potter who was highly regarded in his field. He struggled to decide which colors to release to the public in the 1930’s. Bright red-orange was popular at that time, so he began experimenting with shades until he found the right one. He offset that with a deep blue. A medium green looked nice with that, and Rhead decided a dark yellow was necessary. The choice of a 5^th shade was hard, but finally an ivory was chosen. So Fiestaware had its beginning with these colors and a variety of dishes meant for everyday use, large dinner plates, salad plates, large soup bowls and smaller cereal bowls, cups and saucers, tumblers (opaque drinking glasses) and a few serving platters, coffee pots to keep the brew warm, teapots, sugar bowls, creamers, and jam and syrup holders. The idea was to make a strong and durable product and sell it at a low price so the average household could afford them, and much of the Fiestaware was sold in five and dime stores such as Woolworth’s at that time. New colors were added to the line as they went along. The china is strong and the plates are large enough for big food portions, so it is still common to see the oval platters and plates used in restaurants.

W.E. Wells was succeeded by his son, Joseph Wells in 1930, as he had led the development and expansion of the company from its humble beginnings to a position of respected leadership in its field. Mr. Aaron’s son, M.L. Aaron, succeeded him as President of the business. This partnership was very creative and successful, and besides the wares already in production, they developed a large variety of oven-to-table dinnerware, Oven Serve and Kitchen Kraft. This was much appreciated by housewives as it was a big time saver in the kitchen. The beauty of the colorful glazes associated with Homer Laughlin’s name resulted in the much sought out china for collectors today—Fiesta, Harlequin and Riviera. On January 1, 1960, Joseph M. Wells became Chairman of the Board and his son, Joseph Jr., rose to the position of Executive VP. Homer Laughlin China is still considered to be one of the biggest dinnerware producers of the world.

I realized that I desperately needed new dishes about 10 years ago. I am a bit of a klutz, and break dishes rather easily. So I wanted something durable, that had some weight or heft to it. I also wanted to cheer up my kitchen, and the bright colors of Fiestaware really charmed me. As I researched more I learned the history I am sharing with you here, and was so intrigued that I bought my first set of Fiestaware, in Cinnabar, sort of a cranberry shade, and added serving pieces that were black, white and gray. But there are so many lovely pieces, I became a collector as well, and began buying other colors too. I love my china, it’s strong, and the splashes of color add so much to my kitchen. I have several vintage piece myself, my lilac teapot being my most prized. The colors are much nicer and bolder than comes through on the computer screen or in digital photos. It appears that the “new” colors have planned obsolescence, as the Homer Laughlin Company normally adds one shade every year, and “retires” one each year as well. They try to make shades that are very similar to the “vintage” ones, and do a good job. Some of them are only fired for brief periods, such as 6 months, which really ups the value and lowers the availability of those items. Sapphire, a bright blue, was made exclusively for Bloomingdales, and Chocolate was a limited release as well. But even if there is no interest in collecting, I recommend Fiestaware for everyday use. Now they make an updated line of square dinner plates that look very nice. Whether it’s vintage or new, Turquoise has always been the most popular color. Homer Laughlin Company has decided not to add a new color for 2011.

I have searched out antique stores in Philadelphia and seen a few interesting vintage red pieces, but they were too expensive. There was a “radioactive” scare about the red pieces in the 1950’s, but the dishes were deemed safe, although in recent years the company put out an announcement not to put your vintage red Fiesta in a microwave. It’s so pricey that if you bought a piece you would not be likely to use it for everyday cooking or eating anyway. Fiestaware can usually be found at garage sales, flea markets, and places like Salvation Army stores. My son came home with 2 coffee mugs in a purple shade that was too light to be plum, and different from heather, and they turned out to be lilac, one of the most sought after shades. He paid 20 cents, and each mug is worth $150.00! I have the much coveted Lilac teapot, but the lid is Periwinkle. So if anyone has a Lilac teapot lid, please contact me, I am willing to negotiate! Chartreuse is valued at about the same. The teapots keep your tea warm for a long time. The platters are great for parties or just for serving dinner. The signature item is the rounded, disc water pitcher and everyone loves the mini disc pitchers. They make some beautiful vases as well. I have never been to the Newell, WV store, but hope to get there someday. I have found some nice pictures from there that will help you to identify Fiestaware more easily, as it has special markings to prove it’s the real thing.

If you become interested in buying or collecting, you will start “speaking” Fiesta in a few years. I have heard women who are looking for a shirt to match a tie for a man in their life, who will say, “I need something darker than Periwinkle but lighter than Peacock.” Or I’ll be describing a new, red clutch I bought and tell someone “It’s not as bright as Scarlet, but not as dark as Cinnabar.” So the cultural phenomena of Fiestaware has created a language all its own.

I have bought Fiestaware from two reliable companies I found online, Dishesfast and Zestydishes. Both have good merchandise, although sometimes the prices can be high if you want a "retired" Post 1986 piece or a Vintage one. I have personally spoken with representatives of these sites, and both have kindly helped me look for specific pieces. The prices on E-bay are usually way too high. It's also wise to have your china shipped UPS ground, as it makes a heavy package and you do not want to pay more for postage that you did for your china! I notice many couples use the sites as gift registries, and think this is an excellent and sensible choice for a shower or wedding gift. It seems many are mixing colors of different pieces to create an individualized color palette, and I wish I had thought to do that! It really is pretty and adds a funky Art Deco look to your kitchen. And you can be proud to be buying china made in the USA.

I just became aware of a wonderful site that has loads of info about Fiestaware, if you love it as much as I do and can never get enough! It is fiestawarediscontinued.wordpress.com. and it has some pictures of beautiful, older pieces on it. Check it out! And if anyone knows where to find a lilac lid to the lilac teapot, I'm all ears. I found the teapot at Holley Ross Pottery in PA, but it has a periwinkle lid. Thanks, and don't forget to visit the above site!