Hobbies And Interests
Early American Pottery
Early pottery was of utilitarian design. Many early potters marked their wares with slip (liquid clay) to show the maker and the town of production. The colonies were not encouraged to make pottery to compete with English manufacturing, so most jugs and crocks were used locally.
White Ware Imports
After American independence, pottery companies focused on production using white clay, as opposed to red or yellow clays. It took American companies until the late 1870s to become proficient in making quality white ware. A high percentage of American goods were stamped with maker's and national marks.
Competition
British and Japanese imports were offered on the American market until World War I, when war blockades reduced the amount of imported pieces. Manufacturers took out newspaper advertisements urging Americans to buy domestic wares. Many American companies closed their doors prior to the war because they were unable to match the prices of foreign competitors.
After World War II
Japanese imports flooded the U.S. as government officials attempted to shift Japan's economy from wartime to peacetime production. American pottery companies organized and began a campaign to urge consumers to buy American, labeling planters, dinnerware and decorative pottery with "U.S.A." to assist buyers.
Regional Manufacturers
West Coast pottery companies, including Metlox, Santa Anita and Jamar, added "Made in California" in addition to the national marking to indicate that the company was not located in the large Ohio Valley pottery manufacturing region.