There are a variety of late nineteenth century stoneware objects today marked "L.H. Yeager & Co. / Allentown, PA." This is a merchant's mark, whereas Lesher H. Yeager (1851-1915) was born in East Texas in 1851. In 1875 he opened a china and glassware shop with James M. Culbertson at 20 North Seventh Street, on the northwest corner of Center Square in Allentown. It was originally named Yeager & Culbertson until 1881 when Culbertson retired and it was changed to L.H. Yeager and Company.
Along with locally made products, Yeager imported fine English Bone China and as the business prospered, made several business trips to England each year for buying merchandise for sale in his Allentown store. He also imported porcelain and china from France and Germany. He died suddenly on March 5, 1915, although his business was taken over by his son, Charles H Yeager, who had joined the firm in 1911.
In 1926, the business was moved across the street to 21 North 7th into a larger building. The business was closed in 1938 with Charles Yeager's retirement and the property remained vacant for several years until it was purchased by another company.
Interestingly, I recently came across this early twentieth century multi-colored glazed earthenware handled cup or vase that is impressed on the base, "L.H. Yeager & Co. 1875-1905," which marked the company's 30th anniversary. I was told that it was recently found to the south of Allentown in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Furthermore, I have only seen a few of these through the years that includes an example that sold at Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland in 2011.
I also suspect that these objects originated in Europe, although the history of the Bach family pottery in Allentown during this period will be a subject of a forthcoming feature story I have written that will be published in Antiques & Auction News. I also note in the article that based on a billhead or ledger owned by the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum that the Allentown Pottery produced wares from different types of clay, even though red earthenware was the most prominent type of production.
An Early 20th Century Earthenware Handled Cup or Vase
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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