A Feature Story About Red Earthenware from Maine that was Published on June 3, 1998

According to a feature story, 'Redware at the Maine State Museum' written by Douglas F. Hawes, and published on July 3, 1998 in 'Antiques and the Arts Weekly,' "Archaeological materials, not touched on here (in this article), can be extremely useful in helping to identify the range of a potter's output. Unfortunately no potter's sites have been professionally excavated in Maine. We have much yet to learn." 

I was surprised by what I read in this paragraph since the Maine State Museum in Augusta, Maine owns a variety of late-eighteenth and nineteenth century artifacts related to potter's sites in Maine. But I now suspect that material must have been donated to the museum by quick thinking people, such as Chris Havey, who salvaged most of the archaeological material the museum owns from a few different potter's site in Yarmouth (previously North Yarmouth), Maine. In this case, the integrity of these largely intact sites were jeopardized by late-twentieth century development, and Chris salvaged as much material as possible. He even visited the location where the artifacts were shipped for use as landfill. But before that happened, he managed to preserve any noteworthy material, and the remains have since been donated to the Maine State Museum. The story behind these artifacts and the circa 1790-1900 red earthenware industry in North Yarmouth, Maine is the subject in a feature story, which I have written that should be published sometime later this year in the New England Antiques Journal.

Nonetheless, the following is another article that was included in the collection of modern ephemera that I wrote about last weekend, and had been collected over the past 30 years. This collection focused on advertisements, feature stories, and however else the word "redware" was used in various magazines and newspapers.

The feature story that I have posted this morning interprets a group of Maine-made red earthenware that was about to go on display at the Maine State Museum, as well as a temporary exhibit at the annual Maine Antique Dealers Association Antique Show in the fall of 1998. Although this antique show no longer operates the way it once did in the 1990s.

The selection of pottery seems to have focused on some of the better known businesses in Maine, such as the Corliss Pottery in Woolwich, the Philbrick Pottery in Skowhegan, the Porter Pottery in Wiscasset, the Norcross Pottery in Farmington and the Safford Pottery in Monmouth.

Interestingly, this article also refers to a nineteenth century red earthenware jug marked on the base "J.G." The form of this jug has always been thought to have been unique to the Norcross Pottery in Farmington. However, the author does cite an earlier publication that suggests this object was made by John Goodell (d. 1850) in Windham, Maine. The attribution is only based on the initials that coincidentally match Goodell's name, who was a farmer and operated a small pottery in southern Maine in the 1800s.

According to Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins (Early New England Potters and Their Wares), "The known pottery history in Windham began with John Goodell's arrival in 1825 from Kennebunk, Maine. His first shop was on the east side of the river road near its intersection with Horse Beef Road. Traces of his workshop and the cellar of his house could still be seen in 1916 on the farm of the late John Webb. Later, Goodell bought the farm where Isaiah Staples afterwards lived. He erected there a large barn-like structure with a workshop at one end and a kiln at the other. The Windham pottery lasted for about 25 years, closing when Goodell died (in 1850)."

It has been suggested that the "J.G." mark was stamped onto the base of the jug by the potter - whereas, I have personally handled this object, and it appears the mark may have actually happened after the object was produced. As a result, I don't necessarily believe this jug should unquestionably be attributed to another potter outside of the Norcross family. The form, glaze and overall production is a classic style known from the Norcross Pottery. I have yet to see any archaeological evidence or documented proof that could suggest this unique form (and glaze) was flawlessly duplicated at any other potter's business, especially a company that does not appear to have any connection to the Norcross family or Farmington. Therefore, additional theories should also be explored, which may better explain why this mark is found on this jug today.

Note:  After years of private ownership, the red earthenware jug marked "J.G." was just recently sold in May 2016 in Lewis Scranton's Collection at Skinner at an onsite sale in Killingworth, Connecticut. The jug was purchased by a collector at the auction, where it now resides in another wonderful private collection in New England.

'Redware at the Maine State Museum'

Feature Story Written About  Maine-Made Red Earthenware Owned by the Maine State Museum

Published in the July 3, 1998 Issue of Antiques and the Arts Weekly
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Antiques and the Arts Weekly and Maine State Museum

Feature Story Written About  Maine-Made Red Earthenware Owned by the Maine State Museum

Published in the July 3, 1998 Issue of Antiques and the Arts Weekly
Bottom - Rare Marked Pot Made at the Corliss Pottery in Woolwich, ME
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Antiques and the Arts Weekly and Maine State Museum

Feature Story Written About  Maine-Made Red Earthenware Owned by the Maine State Museum

Published in the July 3, 1998 Issue of Antiques and the Arts Weekly
Top Right - Objects Made at the Norcross Pottery in Farmington, ME
Bottom Right - Marked Pot Made at the Safford Pottery in Monmouth, ME
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Antiques and the Arts Weekly and Maine State Museum

Some of the Red Earthenware Illustrated in the Article

Red Earthenware Attributed to the Corliss Pottery in Woolwich, ME

All Owned by the Maine State Museum in Augusta, ME

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Antiques and the Arts Weekly and Maine State Museum

Red Earthenware Attributed to the Philbrick Pottery in Skowhegan, ME
All Owned by the Maine State Museum in Augusta, ME

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Antiques and the Arts Weekly and Maine State Museum

Red Earthenware Attributed to the Porter Pottery in Wiscasset, ME

All Owned by the Maine State Museum in Augusta, ME

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Antiques and the Arts Weekly and Maine State Museum

Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...