The Circa 1816-1870s Multigenerational Clark Pottery in Orford, New Hampshire

Funny story! So while wrapping up the Clark family pottery book earlier this fall, I learned about a rather forgotten red earthenware business operated by Benjamin Clark (son of Captain Peter Clark) and his son Jonathan Clark in Orford, New Hampshire, circa 1816-1870s. With the help of New York author and researcher Warren Broderick, we found as much information as possible about this business for publication, but there is literally nothing noted in any publication or museum collection that can 100% accurately be attributed as existing red earthenware from this company.

However, a few weeks ago I received a message from someone asking if I knew of any information about a potter’s business in Orford because he and a friend had just found a potter’s dump site. Their discovery was the site of the basically untouched Clark Pottery! Unbelievable! What are the chances!?

Nonetheless, this could not have worked out more perfectly, seeing that I viewed a large amount of these artifacts two nights ago in New Hampshire, which I also photographed to be included in the book. The artifacts include various types of jugs, bowls, milk pans, crocks that are only glazed on the interior, kiln furniture and kiln bricks. A large amount of bluish-gray colored clay was even found, as was the remains of a nineteenth century leather shoe, which I suppose could have belonged to a member of the Clark family.

The Circa 1816-1870s Multigenerational Clark Pottery in Orford, N.H.

The Multigenerational Clark Pottery in Orford, New Hampshire

Circa 1816-1870s

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Artifacts Collection at the Site of the Clark Pottery in Orford, New Hampshire

Circa 1816-1870s

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Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

Artifacts Collection at the Site of the Clark Pottery in Orford, New Hampshire

Circa 1816-1870s

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Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

Blueish-Gray Clay Collected at the Site of the Clark Pottery in Orford, New Hampshire

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Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

A Shoe Collected Collected at the Site of the Clark Pottery in Orford, New Hampshire

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Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

Another View of the Shoe

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Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

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

An Unusual Red Earthenware Pitcher that Just Sold at Crocker Farm in Maryland

Crocker Farm just wrapped up another successful sale in Sparks, Maryland, whereas one of the pieces that piqued my interest did not sell for a lot, but my instant reaction when I saw it was whether or not it could be related to various blue and orange glazed red earthenware tiles made at Henry Mercer's Moravian Pottery and Tile Works in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. 

Crocker Farm described the object as an "unusual cobalt decorated redware pitcher with relief decoration and a figural handle, American or European, late 19th century, tankard-form pitcher with relief motif of Romeo and Juliet, the handle hand-modeled in the form of a woman. Surface coated in a cream-colored slip, decorated with cobalt, and covered in a clear lead glaze."

Furthermore, it would seem that the subject of this pitcher and the glaze style is comparable to some of the tiles made in Doylestown in the twentieth century; the pitcher sold for $100 plus the buyer's premium.

For more information - see a cover story I wrote for the August 23, 2024 issue of Antiques & Auction News, titled, Tiles Made At The Moravian Tile Works In Doylestown, Pa., That Adorn Fireplace Surrounds In York, Maine: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/08/new-published-feature-story-in-antiques.html.

An Unusual Red Earthenware Pitcher that Just Sold at Crocker Farm

Late 19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher

Origin and Manufacturer Unknown to Me

Stands 10" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm

A View of the Base

This is How the Back of Some of the Tiles Appear

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Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm

20th Century Blue and Orange Glazed Red Earthenware Tile

Made at the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works in Doylestown, PA

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Photo Courtesy: Everson Museum of Art

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

A Rare 19th Century Brown Glazed Stoneware Soap Dish Bearing an Inscription on the Base

It is perhaps not the most desirable form amongst collectors today, although a soap dish was included as part of many red earthenware and stoneware potters production output in America in the nineteenth century; there were even shaving bowls and mugs produced in the United States in the 1800s, which often included a smaller bowl that held a bar a soap.

Some of the potters who produced this type of form were the John Bell Pottery in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, and Jacob Heart in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, where one example made by Heart just sold at Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland for $225 plus the buyer's premium. I believe the record for a soap dish made by John Bell is one that sold at Crocker Farm in 2021 for $2,160, including the buyer's premium, whereas another example sold in a group lot in 2016 at DuMouchelle's in Detroit for $5,000, plus the buyer's premium. 

Nonetheless, some people may recognize the base of this soap dish, seeing that I posted a picture of it to my Facebook page about a week ago in search of help with the inscription on the base. This ornate brown glazed stoneware soap dish was found 30-40 years ago in Maine, and some previous speculation has suggested that it may have been made in Portland, Maine; along the edge of the soap dish is adorned with a swag and tassel decoration.

However, I cannot find any record or evidence that this form was made in Portland, where I have not ruled out the possibility of the soap dish having been made in New York or the Midwest. 

But the base of the soap dish is what perplexed a number of people, although the majority seems to think the scratched inscription reads in part, "H.P. Lau / 1881." 

Furthermore, it is unclear if this inscription provides a connection, but H.P. Lau & Company was a major wholesale grocery and fruit business based in Lincoln, Nebraska. 

According to the Nebraska Historical Society, "Hans Peter Lau (1845/46-1897) was a German immigrant, born in Fleusburg, Germany, who began his grocery business in the late 1860s with a single box of lemons. After his death in 1897 his widow Friedericke (1849-1943) led the company in constructing a three story, 48,000 square foot warehouse and office, designed by Cox & Schoentgen of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Especially noteworthy are the dark red terra cotta trim of the lower stories and subtle corbelling (stepping) out of the brickwork at the top of the walls to form a cornice.

The Lau Building was served by rail spurs (or a railway branch line) on both the east and west sides, where the company served five different states. The west, midblock spur was enclosed within an addition in 1906, which housed the coffee roasting plant of the Lau Co.'s "Milady” brand. For nearly two decades these buildings were also used in Russell Stover Candy Company's Haymarket operation."

Additionally, if this inscription does represent H.P. Lau's business in Lincoln, then this soap dish may have been made at the Lincoln, Nebraska Pottery Works; also according to the Nebraska Historical Society, "The Lincoln Pottery Works made crocks, jugs, and other ceramic goods at a factory on South First Street in Lincoln from about 1880 until sometime after 1900. Archeologists excavated the site during the summer of 1986 (where a large assemblage of brown glazed stoneware artifacts were recovered)."

A Rare 19th Century Brown Glazed Stoneware Soap Dish

19th Century Brown Glazed Stoneware Soap Dish with Ornate Decoration

Part of the Inscription on the Base Appears to Read "H.P. Lau / 1881..."

Circa 1881

Measures 5 5/8" Across

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A View of the Interior

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This is the Inscription on the Base of the Soap Dish

Part of the Inscription on the Base Appears to Read "H.P. Lau / 1881..."

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

A Good Selection of Red Earthenware and Stoneware that Sold Today at Conestoga Auctions in Pennsylvania

A good selection of red earthenware and stoneware sold today at Conestoga Auctions in Mannheim, Pennsylvania, although the most significant object may have been a nineteenth century red earthenware butter tub made at the John Bell Pottery in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. The base of the object was inscribed in script, "Routh Poe, Leitersburg, Md., Dec. 25, 1881." 

The context of this inscription in relationship to the Bell Pottery is unknown to me, but this may have been a Christmas present, seeing that there was a "Ruth" Zeigler Poe (1880-1939) born in Leitersburg, Maryland on November 19, 1880. This is also the only Ruth or Routh living in Leitersburg in 1881; her parents were Mark (1840-1919) and Clara Virginia Poe (1846-1926); Mark was born and died in Leitersburg, while Clara was born in Baltimore and died in Leitersburg. It is unclear if Mark had any involvement with the pottery industry, but he is cited as a "farmer," a "store keeper," a "day laborer" and working "odd jobs" in the 1870-1910 United States Federal Censuses.

Furthermore, the distance between Leitersburg and Waynesboro is only five miles, and Mark Poe's occupation in 1881 was a store keeper based on the 1880 United States Federal Census. Poe also had two other children, although Ruth was the only child living in 1881; Mary Poe (1882-1962) was born in 1882 and there was an infant son who died in 1879.

Interestingly, this is obviously a family heirloom of the Poe family of Leitersburg; how this object left the family likely in the twentieth century is unknown to me, but this may have been the first time this object sold publicly, whereas a knowledgable friend of Pennsylvania redware said to me a few days ago that he had never seen a piece of John Bell pottery with this type of inscription before bearing information unrelated to members of the Bell family.

Nonetheless, the butter tub sold for $2,800 plus the buyer's premium; it was consigned to the auction house from the estate of Eugene and Vera Charles of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

For more information about the John Bell Pottery - see a three-page cover story I wrote for December 7, 2018 issue of Antiques & Auction News, titled, The Bell Pottery Collection at the Renfrew Museum in Waynesboro, Pa.: https://antiquesandauctionnews.net/articles/The-Bell-Pottery-Collection-At-The-Renfrew-Museum-In-Waynesboro%2C-Pa~/.

Note: A similar slightly larger red earthenware butter tub without the inscription that was also made at the John Bell Pottery sold last night at Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland for $300 plus the buyer's premium: https://www.crockerfarm.com/stoneware-auction/2024-11-15/lot-298/JOHN-BELL-Waynesboro-Pennsylvania-Redware-Rope-Handled-Butter-Tub/.

19th Century Red Earthenware Butter Tub

Made at the John Bell Pottery in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Inscribed on the Base "Routh Poe, Leitersburg, Md., Dec. 25, 1881"

Measures 4 7/8" in Diameter

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Photo Courtesy: Conestoga Auctions

A View of the Inscription

Inscribed on the Base "Routh Poe, Leitersburg, Md., Dec. 25, 1881"

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Photo Courtesy: Conestoga Auctions

Another View of the Inscription

Inscribed on the Base "Routh Poe, Leitersburg, Md., Dec. 25, 1881"

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Photo Courtesy: Conestoga Auctions

Ruth Zeigler Poe Born in Leitersburg, Maryland on November 19, 1880

This is from the 1900 United States Federal Census

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Mark Poe is Listed as a "U.S. Store Keeper" in Leitersburg, Maryland in 1880

This is from the 1880 United States Federal Census

This was also Likely His Occupation in 1881 When the Butter Tub was Made

The Distance Beween Leitersburg and Waynesboro is Five Miles

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One other object of note from this sale was an excellent nineteenth century stoneware covered jar with incised decoration highlighted with cobalt that was thought to have been made in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, which was stamped with a person's initials "H.S.;" the jar sold for $4,750 plus the buyer's premium. The jar was produced with twisted rope handles, which is also a style found with some stoneware made at the Hissong Pottery in Cassville, Pennsylvania. 

19th Century Stoneware Jar from Pennsylvania

Stamped with a Person's Initials "H.S."

Stands 8 1/4" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Conestoga Auctions

Note: For the rest of the pottery in today's sale - see the auction catalog: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/347015_2024-fall-antiques-and-americana-auction/

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

An Update on the Forthcoming Western New York Books

With the completion of my 697-page eighth book, titled, An Influential Family of Early Potters: The Clarks of New Hampshire and Related Businesses, which will be sent to the printer very soon, and should be available to purchase by Christmas, I wanted to give an update on the Western New York books that I am currently working on, titled, America's Great Awakening and Migration: The Red Earthenware of Western New York.

The Western New York books will be published in 2025; the two-volume set will be published together and will include over 1,200 pages. The books are basically complete now with the finishing touches being added over the next month or so. I am hoping for a publication date sometime in the late winter or spring of 2025. 

Furthermore, I have worked with basically every museum, historical society and archaeology department in the western part of New York State that owns artifacts and pottery related to this region's red earthenware production. The book will also include tons of never before published archaeology, museum collections and private collections. 

Every title in this book series from the American Northeast has been rewarding, but there have been so many discoveries made along the way in preparation of this publication; it began years ago working on two research articles for publication with the Das Haus Museum in Bergholz, Niagara County, New York to some of the most recent discoveries found in the collection of the LeRoy, New York Historical Society, along with so much in between, such as the significance of production in Erie County, New York, and identifying some of the previously unknown wares made by the Mormon leader Heber Kimball (1801-1868) in Mendon, New York before 1830. There was even the exciting realization of learning about objects that were thought to have made elsewhere in America, which have since proven to have been made in Western New York. But my biggest take away from working on this material is that the Western New York region produced some of the most dramatic glazed and slip decorated red earthenware made anywhere in America in the nineteenth century, much of which is not widely known.

Nevertheless, there will be 37 chapters in the two books covering red earthenware production from every county in Western New York that is known to have sustained some type of red earthenware production. The last section of volume 2 will also cover red earthenware production from the remainder of New York, which will include short essays on potters, archaeology and objects spanning central New York, the eastern part of the state, the most northern part of the state, the Hudson River region, New York City and Long Island. The Introduction in volume 1 will also include a lot of great archaeology from New York City.

An Update on the Forthcoming Western New York Books

America's Great Awakening and Migration: The Red Earthenware of Western New York

This Two-Volume Book Will Be Published in 2025

It Will Run Over 1,200 Pages

See Article for More Information

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

A 19th Century Sponge Decorated Red Earthenware Jug and Pitcher, One of Which is Signed "John Bell / 1859"

For more than a decade now, I have wondered where a small sponge decorated red earthenware jug was made that is privately owned in the Northeast today, although it sold at Pook & Pook Auctions in Downington, Pennsylvania decades ago. The only comparable glaze decoration that I had seen until recently was an unrelated red earthenware coffee pot recovered from a circa 1740-1760 archaeological context in Philadelphia. In fact, I wrote about these objects a few months after I established this website back in 2013: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2013/06/early-to-mid-18th-century-redware-of.html.

However, while recently reviewing the red earthenware collection at the Historical Society of Washington County, Maryland, I was surprised to see a very similar decorated, but damaged red earthenware pitcher. Additionally, I suspect the only difference found in the glaze colors in these photos is merely a result of the type of lighting used: https://washcohistory.pastperfectonline.com/webobject/2C74F3F4-483F-4622-8A01-552940980390.

Interestingly, the base of the pitcher is signed in script "John Bell / 1859." I cannot recall having seen another object marked this way by John Bell (1800-1880) in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania.

For more information about the John Bell Pottery - see a three-page cover story I wrote for December 7, 2018 issue of Antiques & Auction News, titled, The Bell Pottery Collection at the Renfrew Museum in Waynesboro, Pa.: https://antiquesandauctionnews.net/articles/The-Bell-Pottery-Collection-At-The-Renfrew-Museum-In-Waynesboro%2C-Pa~/.

A 19th Century Sponge Decorated Red Earthenware Jug and Pitcher

19th Century Sponge Decorated Red Earthenware Jug

Stands 6" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Sam Herrup

19th Century Sponge Decorated Red Earthenware Pitcher

The Base is Signed "John Bell / 1859"

Made at the John Bell Pottery in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Stands 8 1/4" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Historical Society of Washington County, Maryland

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

A Preview of the Front and Back Covers of Forthcoming New Hampshire Book

Exciting news! My eighth book, titled, An Influential Family of Early Potters: The Clarks of New Hampshire and Related Businesses will be sent to the printer very soon - and should be available for Christmas. The book runs 697-pages; it tells the story of the Clark family and their impact on the red earthenware industry in New England, beginning with Captain Peter Clark (1743-1826) in Essex County, Mass. and Braintree, Massachusetts before the American Revolution, followed by his family's influence all over northern New England, after 1775 through the 1880s. Among the industries that were also impacted by Captain Clark was early production in the Hartford, Connecticut area; the book also highlights two nearly forgotten Clark family businesses in Brownington, Vermont and Orford, New Hampshire, plus a lot more! 

This is how the front and back covers of the book will appear! I will post more information as soon as the book is available to purchase from my publisher Historic Beverly in Massachusetts, as well as bookstores and retailers all over! I'm really excited over this book!

In the meantime - if you would like to purchase any of the other books in my ongoing pottery book series - here are links to each of the titles --

1) The Beverly Pottery: The Wares of Charles A. Lawrence: https://historicbeverly.net/product/the-beverly-pottery-the-wares-of-charles-a-lawrence/

2) The Moses B. Paige Company: The Last of the Peabody Potteries: https://historicbeverly.net/product/the-moses-b-paige-company-the-last-of-the-peabody-potteries/

3) The Dawn of Independence, the Death of An Industry: The Pottery of Charlestown, Massachusetts: https://historicbeverly.net/product/the-dawn-of-independence-the-death-of-an-industry/

4) South Amesbury’s Red Earthenware & Stoneware Production: The 1791-1820 William Pecker Pottery: https://historicbeverly.net/product/south-amesburys-red-earthenware-stoneware-production/

5) A Celebrated Industry: The Historic Wares of Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod: https://historicbeverly.net/product/a-celebrated-industry-the-historic-wares-of-southeastern-massachusetts-bristol-county-and-cape-cod/

6) A City on the River: The Early Red Earthenware of the Hartford, Connecticut Area: https://historicbeverly.net/product/a-city-on-the-river-the-early-red-earthenware-of-the-hartford-connecticut-area/

7) From One Town Came Many: The Red Earthenware Industry of Ancient North Yarmouth Maine: https://historicbeverly.net/product/94597/

An Influential Family of Early Potters: The Clarks of New Hampshire and Related Businesses

697-Pages

This is the 8th Book in my Ongoing Pottery Book Series

Available to Purchase Very Soon

See Above for More Information

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