19th Century Slip-Script Dish Likely Made for Major Newspaper Publisher in New York City

In a feature story I wrote for the October 2018 issue of Maine Antique Digest, titled, The Red Earthenware Available in the 18th and 19th Centuries in New York City, "The variety of locally produced pottery mixed with imported products found in New York City from domestic and foreign manufacturers seems to be as diverse as any other American city in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. New York City's population growth likely challenged local production, and it created an active demand for imports in the 1800s."

Norwalk, Connecticut, the Huntington Pottery on Long Island and River Edge, New Jersey were among the locations to import wares into New York City in the nineteenth century - and while recently communicating with the Wadsworth Antheneum Museum of Art in Hartford, Connecticut, I learned about this great slip-script dish from Norwalk, which seems to further support the interest found with the industry in Norwalk and New York City. This dish was acquired by the museum in the twentieth century from the wife of noted nineteenth century collector, Albert Hastings Pitkin.

According to the Wadsworth Antheneum, "A native and lifelong resident of Hartford, Albert Hastings Pitkin (1852-1917) was among the first to systematically study and collect early American pottery. While visiting a local farmhouse in the spring of 1884, his discovery of two pieces of redware, or lead glazed earthenware pottery, spurred his passion for ceramics. Pitkin soon amassed a collection and became known as the leading authority on New England earthenware. In 1910 he joined the staff at the Wadsworth Antheneum as curator of the department of ceramics. During his tenure, he oversaw the installation of his own collections in the Morgan Memorial, and upon his death, his wife, Sarah Howard Loomis Pitkin, donated over three hundred objects to the museum."

The inscription on this dish reads, "James Gordon Bennett," likely representing James Gordon Bennett, Sr. (1795-1872), an immigrant from Scotland or his son, James Gordon Bennett, Jr. (1841-1918). The elder Bennett was the founder, editor and publisher of the New York Herald, which was established in May 1835, and quickly became an industry leader in the way newspapers were operated during the period, as well as publishing the first ever exclusive interview with a sitting President in 1839, Martin Van Buren (1782-1862.)

In 1866, the elder Bennett gave his son control of the newspaper, which at the time saw the highest readership of any paper in America. But competition and new technology soon led to a decline in readership; although, the New York Herald continued to operate successfully, until the paper merged with the New York Tribune in 1924, under the new name the New York Herald Tribune. This newly formed newspaper was largely successful for another 43 years, until it finally ceased production in the late-1960s.

The Bennetts and a Slip-Script Red Earthenware Dish

James Gordon Bennett, Sr. (1795-1872)

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Photo Courtesy: Library of Congress

James Gordon Bennett, Jr. (1741-1918)

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Photo Courtesy: Library of Congress

19th Slip-Script Red Earthenware Dish

Inscribed "James Gordon Bennett"

Attributed to Norwalk, CT

Measures 12" in Diameter

Albert Hastings Pitkin Collection

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Photo Courtesy: Wadsworth Antheneum Museum of Art

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

Exciting Remains of Colonial Slipware Recovered on the Eastern End of Long Island

This seems to be quite an exciting discovery that was made on property owned by Chris Pickerell on the eastern end of Long Island in Southold, New York. According to Chris, "These slip-decorated pan remains were found among a large assemblage of ceramics, glass, pipes, bricks and other artifacts dating from the 1680s to the mid-eighteenth century. These artifacts originated from a home that previously occupied the property, with the first owners arriving as early as 1653."

Interestingly, through the years, I have been able to document through archaeology on this website, the migration of some pottery manufactured at the Colonial industry in Charlestown, Massachusetts; for instance, Charlestown pottery has been recovered as far north as the Fortress of Louisbourg in Nova Scotia, and as far south as the Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson site in North Carolina. But wares from this industry have also been recovered all over coastal New England - from Connecticut, to Nantucket, New Hampshire and Maine.

Although, I was surprised to see the remains of these slip-decorated pans over the weekend that were recovered on Long Island, which very closely resemble styles of slip attributed to the circa 1714-1754 Isaac (1692-1742) and Grace Parker (1697-1754) Pottery in Charlestown. In fact, the four curved lines of sip are a distinct style produced at this pottery; however, the Parker Pottery was also one of the more prominent businesses to export production, including the chamber pot that was recovered in Canada. Nonetheless, I believe these remains are as exciting as any other remains of Charlestown Pottery recovered outside of the Boston area.

Slip-Decorated Pan No. 1 Recovered on Long Island

Colonial 18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Pan Sherd

Recovered Within a Circa 1680s to Mid-18th Century Context in Southold, NY

This Style of Slip Closely Resembles Styles Produced in Charlestown, Mass.

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Photo Courtesy: Chris Pickerell

Another View of Some of the Slip

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Photo Courtesy: Chris Pickerell

Another View of Some of the Slip

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Photo Courtesy: Chris Pickerell

View of the Back of the Pan

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Photo Courtesy: Chris Pickerell

Slip-Decorated Pan No. 2 Recovered on Long Island

Colonial 18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Pan Sherd

Recovered Within a Circa 1680s to Mid-18th Century Context in Southold, NY

This Style of Slip Closely Also Resembles Styles Produced in Charlestown, Mass.

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Pickerell

Slip-Decorated Chamber Pot and Another Artifact Recovered in Charlestown, Mass.

Colonial 18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Chamber Pot

Recovered in Charlestown, Mass.

Likely Made at the Parker Pottery in Charlestown, Mass.

Circa 1714-1754

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: City of Boston Archaeology Department

(Left) Colonial 18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Sherd

Recovered at the Site of the Parker Pottery in Charlestown, Mass.

Circa 1714-1754

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Photo Courtesy: City of Boston Archaeology Department

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

19th Century Earthenware Pitcher Found in an Estate in Western New York Decorated with a Wild Four-Colored Glaze

This is a great nineteenth century earthenware pitcher I just acquired, which was recently discovered by a picker inside an old estate near Rochester in Western New York. While I do not know who made this pitcher or exactly where it was made, the earthenware clay and the four colors used in the glaze are very similar to some objects manufactured in Ontario in the 1800s.

Although, I had also wondered if this pitcher could be French, but I have not seen this combination of colors, form, handle, etc. on any French pottery before. Nonetheless, I have posted this pitcher today so this wild looking glaze can be seen; the colors include cream, green, blue and brown.

Earthenware Pitcher Decorated with a Wild Four-Colored Glaze

 My Niece Alexis Holding the Pitcher

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 19th Century Earthenware Pitcher

Recently Discovered Inside an Old Estate in Western New York

Stands 12 1/8" Tall

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 Another View of the Pitcher

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 View of the Handle

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 View of the Interior

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View of the Earthenware Clay

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Please stay Tuned...Much More to Come...

Upcoming Spring Presentation About the C.A. Lawrence Pottery at the Beverly, Mass. Historical Society

It was about a decade ago, when I first began studying red earthenware made at Charles A. Lawrence's pottery in Beverly, Massachusetts. But there was not a whole lot of published information about this business. In fact, there was not a lot of information available anywhere on the subject, especially the painted Grecian-style wares that Lawrence was the first in America to produce in 1872. Although, he doesn't entirely get the credit he so much deserves for this production today since other businesses, who produced their own Grecian products get more credit, especially from some museums.

But my interests in the Beverly Grecian wares really piqued when I learned about an example of this production displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The base of this jug is stamped, "Beverly Pottery / C.A. Lawrence / Antiquarian / Ceramics / Beverly Mass."

While Lawrence and other potters are responsible for manufacturing the pottery in Beverly, an artist from Marblehead, Massachusetts, Thomas Pitman was hired to paint the wares. He was also employed as a salesperson.

Through the years, I have been able to identify about 15-20 examples of this type of painted production in existence today, owned by both museums and collectors, all of which were clearly painted by Pitman. All of this information and plenty more will be presented in detail when I speak at an upcoming event at the Beverly Historical Society this spring. The event will cover everything from traditional red earthenware production, slipware, Grecian wares, commemorative objects, monumental pieces, advertising, the employees, Japanese pottery, Lawrence's immigration to America, his training, his influences, the expansion of his pottery, his export business, wares recently identified in the Beverly Historical Society's collection, and so much more. I will announce the date on this website once it has been finalized, but it will be a Saturday in either April or May.

Nonetheless, among the objects I learned about a few years ago is a great privately owned painted vase, which closely resembles the jug owned by the MET. I have always viewed this vase as a special piece since it very much looks like the object that my studies began with about ten years ago. But in spite of that, it should also come at no surprise that I was thrilled to acquire this object from a friend yesterday for my personal collection.

Grecian-Style Vase Made in Beverly, Mass.

 19th Century Painted Grecian-Style Red Earthenware Vase

Made at the C.A. Lawrence Pottery in Beverly, Mass.

Painted by Marblehead, Mass. Artist, Thomas Pitman

Circa 1870s

Stands 7 5/8" Tall

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 Another View of the Vase

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 View of the Interior

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View of the Base

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Jug Owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art

 19th Century Painted Grecian-Style Red Earthenware Jug

Made at the C.A. Lawrence Pottery in Beverly, Mass.

Painted by Marblehead, Mass. Artist, Thomas Pitman

Base is Stamped "Beverly Pottery / C.A. Lawrence / Antiquarian / Ceramics / Beverly Mass."

Circa 1870s

Stands 4 7/8" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art

View of the Stamp "Beverly Pottery / C.A. Lawrence / Antiquarian / Ceramics / Beverly Mass."

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Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art

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

Great Examples of 19th Century Pottery Made by John Betts Gregory in Clinton, NY

Earlier this month, I posted a story about John Betts Gregory, a late-eighteenth and nineteenth century potter in Norwalk, Connecticut, Long Island and Clinton, New York, In part, I wrote in that article, "In 1896, Reverend Charles Melbourne Selleck (1831-1909) wrote Norwalk, "in an attempt to bring the town's history fully to light, and to preserve and to perpetuate its mentions and memoirs. Many of these were gathered by the author while engaged in the necessarily hasty preparation of his 1886 St. Paul's Church centenary address in Norwalk, Connecticut, but most of them have since been collected, and their public presentation upon the eve of the town's quarter-millennial birth anniversary."

As part of Reverend Selleck's history of Norwalk was the life of John Betts Gregory (1782-1842), a potter who began and ended his career in Norwalk; although, I believe Reverend Selleck's recount was the first time Gregory's entire career had been published, only to be later cited in some twentieth century historical and pottery related publications.

According to Reverend Selleck, "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.

Interestingly, the personalities of most early American potters are not known; however, author, Amos Delos Gridley published History of the Town of Kirkland, New York in 1874, describing the businesses of Erastus Barnes and Gregory, as well as a first-hand account he had been told by someone who knew Gregory: "Erastus Barnes established the first pottery in Clinton, his works being nearly in the rear of the late Reverend Charles Jerome's residence on College Street (Hamilton College established in 1793). He found clay of an excellent quality on the Gleason farm, near Manchester, and his business was, for those times, large and lucrative. Mr. John B. Gregory succeeded him, and carried on the same industry for several years. He was quite a recluse, being seldom seen outside of his own premises. Yet he had a genial soul, and loved to scatter jokes and bits of humor among old and young who came to inspect his works or to buy his wares. He was a devout Methodist. Placing a lump of clay on his lathe, he would set his wheel a-spinning, and, while moulding pan or jug or other vessel, would burst into some old refrain, as --

"Behold the potter and the clay !

He forms his vessels as he please."

While it is relatively well known today that Gottfried Aust's circa 1773 red earthenware store sign from Salem, North Carolina is displayed at the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, it is lesser known that a store sign from Gregory's business is also in existence. I recently learned about this slip-script sign from Sagamore, Massachusetts antiques dealer, Brian Cullity; Brian purchased this sign privately years ago when it appeared on Cape Cod, and he later sold it to the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum at Colonial Williamsburg. The script reads, "Ware / Plenty / Come / And Buy."

Two other pieces of pottery made by John Betts Gregory that Brian has bought and sold during his career include another slip-script dish, which reads, "Well / Made," as well as a pitcher decorated with an eagle on two sides. This pitcher is also signed "Clinton" and believed to be dated "1825," and thought to reside in a private collection today.

Great Examples of Pottery Made by John Betts Gregory in Clinton, NY

19th Century Slip-Script Store Sign Made by John Betts Gregory in Clinton, NY
Inscribed "Ware / Plenty / Come / And Buy"

Measures 16 5/16" Wide

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Photo Courtesy: Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum

Another View of the Sign

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Photo Courtesy: Brian Cullity

19th Century Slip-Script Dish Attributed to John Betts Gregory in Clinton, NY

Possibly Also Used as a Store Sign

Inscribed "Well / Made"

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Photo Courtesy: Brian Cullity

19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher Decorated with Two Eagles on Either Side

Attributed to John Betts Gregory in Clinton, NY

Inscribed "Clinton" and Thought to be Dated "1825"

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Photo Courtesy: Brian Cullity

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

A Great 19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl in the Collection of the Wadsworth Antheneum Museum of Art in Hartford, Connecticut

In anticipation of seeing the entire Albert Hastings Pitkin Collection next week at the Wadsworth Antheneum Museum of Art in Hartford, Connecticut, I would like to share another great object from this early collection.

While I have seen these type of bowls attributed to Maryland before, I think the overall consensus is that they were manufactured in Pennsylvania in the nineteenth century. This particular object is one of the best decorated bowls in this style that I have ever seen.

According to the museum, "A native and lifelong resident of Hartford, Albert Hastings Pitkin (1852-1917) was among the first to systematically study and collect early American pottery. While visiting a local farmhouse in the spring of 1884, his discovery of two pieces of redware, or lead glazed earthenware pottery, spurred his passion for ceramics. Pitkin soon amassed a collection and became known as the leading authority on New England earthenware. In 1910 he joined the staff at the Wadsworth Antheneum as curator of the department of ceramics. During his tenure, he oversaw the installation of his own collections in the Morgan Memorial, and upon his death, his wife, Sarah Howard Loomis Pitkin, donated over three hundred objects to the museum."

Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl

19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl

Reportedly Manufactured in Pennsylvania

Measures 8 1/4" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Wadsworth Antheneum Museum of Art

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

A Slip-Script Jar from the Albert Hastings Pitkin Collection at the Wadsworth Antheneum Museum of Art in Hartford, Connecticut and How it Relates to a Jar Found in Danbury, Connecticut

Next week, I will visit the Wadsworth Antheneum Museum of Art in Hartford, Connecticut to study the Albert Hastings Pitkin red earthenware collection. According to the museum, "A native and lifelong resident of Hartford, Albert Hastings Pitkin (1852-1917) was among the first to systematically study and collect early American pottery. While visiting a local farmhouse in the spring of 1884, his discovery of two pieces of redware, or lead glazed earthenware pottery, spurred his passion for ceramics. Pitkin soon amassed a collection and became known as the leading authority on New England earthenware. In 1910 he joined the staff at the Wadsworth Antheneum as curator of the department of ceramics. During his tenure, he oversaw the installation of his own collections in the Morgan Memorial, and upon his death, his wife, Sarah Howard Loomis Pitkin, donated over three hundred objects to the museum."

In the meantime, I have been emailing back-and-forth with the museum about the Pitkin collection, much of which has never been published. In fact, most of the objects have not been exhibited in decades.

I was really surprised this afternoon to see a slip-script red earthenware jar emailed to me that is said to have been manufactured in the Hartford area in the early 1800s. My surprise was largely a result of a jar in my collection that must be from the same pottery, which I have previously speculated that it could have been made in Essex County, Massachusetts or perhaps even Connecticut. The colors on both jars are basically an identical match. I acquired this jar a few years ago in Brimfield, Massachusetts, where the dealer told me he had just found the jar while cleaning out a house in Danbury, Connecticut.

Slip-Decorated Jar Found in a House in Danbury, CT

 19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Jar

Very Likely Produced at the Same Pottery as the Jar Posted Below

Reportedly Found in a House in Danbury, CT

Stands 11 1/8" Tall

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 Another View of the Jar

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View of the Base

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Slip-Decorated Jar from the Pitkin Collection

 19th Century Slip-Script Red Earthenware Jar

Attributed to the Hartford, CT Area

Stands 6 1/4" Tall
Albert Hastings Pitkin Collection

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Photo Courtesy: Wadsworth Antheneum Museum of Art

Another View of the Jar

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Photo Courtesy: Wadsworth Antheneum Museum of Art

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