On May 5th and 6th of this year, the Museum of Ceramics of East Liverpool, Ohio hosted two days of appraisals which was directed by Anastasia Sfakis. People were invited to bring in wares made by local potteries for identification and evaluation. Cindy Hoffrichter, Steve Sfakis and I saw various examples of pottery; some Hall teapots, a 14" Roseville vase, Fiesta red compartment plate, cookie jars, W.S. George and other wares from lesser known East Palestine potteries. One of the most unusual pieces was a pottery sewer pipe fish tank! Shown below is a small sample of what was brought in. Click on any image for a larger picture.

The three images to the right are of the same piece. It is a yellow ware mixing bowl brought in my Carol Gannon. This unusual bowl has a brown interior glaze with a white "drip" decoration. Many yellow ware pieces have decorations on the outside so this piece is a little out of the ordinary. The bottom is unmarked and has a very rough texture. She is still looking for information on this piece so please feel free to e-mail if you have any info to add.

One of the first pieces brought in was this tea set. All the pieces are unmarked, but it is unmistakably Taylor Smith and Taylor. These sets are almost always found in the brown clay used with Chateau Buffet and with decorations, but this 60s set was done in a white body and with a bright decorative border.

The dresser tray has a W.P. marking along with the name, "La Belle." Wheeling Pottery (W.P) of Wheeling, West Virginia and La Belle Pottery Company were combined in 1903. Examples of Wheeling Pottery are not at all common, but since there is little demand, values are rather low.

This Cavalier shape plate was made by Homer Laughlin and features the then East Liverpool Post Office in the foreground and the Carnegie Library in the background. Not particularly valuable, but interesting in that the Museum of Cermaics is housed in what used to be the East Liverpool Post Office.

Finally, this Edwin M. Knowles display piece is on display at the Museum. Its approximately 15" in diameter and has a very strange butterfly embossed rim. Inside the verge is the potter's name in gold; The Edwin M. Knowles China Co. This is just one example of the many pieces on display at the museum.