A 19th Century Slip Script Red Earthenware Plate Made By John Betts Gregory Sells at Leonard Auction in Illinois

An outstanding example of John Betts Gregory's (1782-1842) slip script production most likely from Clinton, New York, circa 1810-1829 sold a few days ago in a group lot at Leonard Auction in Addison. Illinois. The script read, "You had better buy than Borrow," and is related to another plate made by Gregory, which reads, "Why Will you Die" -- http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/10/why-will-you-die-significant-plate-made.html.

A brief history about Gregory's career was published in 1896 in Reverend Charles Melbourne Selleck's (1831-1909) book, Norwalk, where he wrote: ""John Betts Gregory was born in Norwalk in 1782 to Abraham and Elizabeth Gregory, who lived where the late Henry Marvin resided, on East Avenue, and south of the ancient Beacham Lane. He learned his trade (potter) of Absalom Day (1770-1843) of "Old Well (neighborhood in Norwalk)." After his marriage to Olive (1786-1883), he had a good business offer from Huntington, Long Island, which he accepted. He afterward established a pottery in Clinton, Oneida County, New York, which required a building 140x40 for his operations. He returned in 1831 to Norwalk and bought from Samuel Hanford, Half-Mile Isle, paying $325.00. He there built a kiln for the burning of earthenware and stoneware. The kiln was erected in 1832 by masons Lewis and George Raymond of "Old Well." The business was here kept up until 1840. Mr. Gregory died July 22, 1842."

Nonetheless, this plate will be also be illustrated in Volume II of my forthcoming two-volume, 1,400-page, ninth book, titled, America's Great Awakening and Migration: The Red Earthenware of Western New York. Albeit condition issues, the group lot sold for $950 plus the buyer's premium: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/price-result/pennsylvania-pottery-charger-assortment/.

For more information about John Betts Gregory - see a feature story I wrote for the April 26, 2021 issue of Antiques & Auction News, titled, The Wares Made By John Betts Gregory In Clinton, New York: An Examination Of Empire State Regional Redware: https://www.scribd.com/document/504897640/Gregory-Article-Antiques-Auction-News#. 

Also see another feature story I wrote for the January 12, 2024 issue of Antiques And The Arts Weekly, titled, Two Important New York Slip-Script Red Earthenware Plates: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/01/new-feature-story-published-in-antiques.html.

19th C. Slip Script Red Earthenware Plate Made By John Betts Gregory

19th Century Slip Script Decorated Red Earthenware Plate

The Script Reads, "You had better buy than Borrow

Most Likely Made by John Betts Gregory In Clinton, New York

Circa 1810-1829

See Article for More Information 

Photo Courtesy: Leonard Auction

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