Category: Design History

Caribbean Cruise Pilsner Set – Libbey Glass – 1959

These fun glasses from Libbey Glass were introduced in 1959 and only produced through 1961. Unlike the “Golden Foilage” line by Libbey, which was made for most of the 1960’s, this design is much harder to get your hands on and highly sought by fans of Tiki decor. I was lucky enough to come across a set of 14 pilsners and 6 cocktail glasses recently.

Libbey Glass has a long tradition of glass production going back into the 19th Century. The company is still operating as Libbey, Inc. and the company website has the story of their fascinating history.

Caribbean Cruise Cocktail Glass Set – Libbey Glass – 1959

This and other Libbey patterns were heavily marketed by owner Owens-Illinios throughout the 1950’s, 60’s and early 70’s in home decor magazines. I ran across this example from a 1959 Better Homes and Gardens.

Libbey Glass Advertisement – Better Homes and Gardens – 1959

Caribbean Cruise is one of the most playful and entertaining of Libbey’s mid-century designs and, although harder-to-find then some other patterns, is well worth seeking out.

The Potter’s Wheel – Homer Laughlin Co. – 1939 World’s Fair

With the upcoming Fiesta Tent Sale this weekend in Flatwoods, WV it seemed a good time to focus on my favorite piece of Homer Laughlin China. While a fan of Fiesta, (the modern lady and I have a relatively large collection of early pieces in red, cobalt, yellow and light green with a few pieces of the 1950’s chartreuse) I don’t collect any of the current color line.

The highlight of my Homer Laughlin collection is a commemorative plate made during the 1939 World’s Fair at The Joint Exhibit of Capital and Labor. HLC and several other pottery companies built a demonstration kiln for the exhibit and produced these great plates. The National Brotherhood of Operative Potters Union manned the exhibit. Glazed in the Fiesta light blue, this plate features a medieval potter at the potter’s wheel. All pieces were marked on the back as shown here:

The history of items intrigues me as much as the item itself sometimes and this is certainly the case with The Potter’s Wheel plate. There were a few other designs of plates made, all around the same theme, but this is the only one I currently have.  As I find others I’ll share them here.

Place and Show – The American Home Magazine – August 1954

I just acquired a large stash of 1950’s The American Home magazines and have been like a kid in a candy shop. We are always on the lookout for interior design magazines from this period, as they are the best reference materials available on many mid-century items, and this lot has been a virtual treasure trove of information and photographs.

One of the best pieces I ran across the article Place and Show by Gertrude Brassard on Eva Zeisel’s Pals pattern for Monmouth Pottery. I have always been an admirer of Zeisel’s designs and, while having seen this shape before, this was my first opportunity to see the Pals “turnip people” decorations on this dinnerware.

Pals “Turnip-People” detail – Monmouth Pottery – Eva Zeisel – 1954

Starter sets of 16 pieces in this pattern sold for $20.95 in 1954. Prices have, shall we say, increased and finding pieces of Pals, which is very scarce, is a challenge. You can bet I’ll be looking though.

Museum White Cup & Saucer Pair – Castleton China for Museum of Modern Art – Designer: Eva Zeisel – 1943

Described by New York Magazine as “…delicate and voluptuous, tableware where the tactile verges on the erotic.”

Pretty heady words for dishes – but then these are more than mere dishes. Designed by the legendary Eva Zeisel for the Museum of Modern Art in 1943 and produced by Castleton China the Museum White line is art and function combined. 

I was lucky enough to obtain a set of six cups and saucers recently and let me tell you they are a joy to look at and to use.

Zeisel, by the way, will celebrate her 102nd birthday on November 13th.