freakintiquenguys@gmail.com, Author at Driving for Deco

Walter Dorwin Teague, circa 1939. Image from idsa.org.

December 18th marks the 135th year since the birth of Walter Dorwin Teague. This latest Reference Library update comes from the January, 1939 House Beautiful. The brief article features Teague’s interior design for his apartment in Manhattan’s exclusive River House. River House (designed by the firm of Bottomley, Wagner & White, 1931) is located at the end of East 52nd Street. When it opened, it was at the end of a street of tenement houses. It was the inspiration for Sidney Kingsley’s 1935 play, Dead End.

River House, December 15, 1931. Samuel H. Gottscho photograph from the mcny.org

Born in Pendleton, Indiana, Teague aspired to become an artist while still in high school. At the age of 19 he moved to New York City to study at the Art Students League of New York. Between 1908 and the mid-1920’s Teague worked in advertising, typography and graphic design. Creating frames for ads based on Baroque and Renaissance designs became his signature style. In time these frames would become known by the generic term “Teague Borders”, even if they were not designed by him.

1922 Arrow Collar Ad. — 1922 J. C. Leyendecker Arrow Collar illustration with frame by Walter Dorwin Teague. Image from Pinterest.

Teague left commercial advertising work in the mid-1920’s. He set off for Europe to study the new modern styles. While there, Teague became familiar with the work of the Bauhaus at an exposition in Italy. From this point forward his work would be influenced by Le Corbusier and the Bauhaus. After returning to the United States, Teague entered the industrial design field. His first major commission came from the Eastman Kodak Company. Teague designed a number of cameras for Kodak. The Bauhaus style is very evident in the Kodak 1A Gift Camera (1930) and the less expensive Beau Brownies (1930 – 1933).

Kodak Beau Brownies. — Kodak Beau Brownie No 2A in shades of brown and No 2 in black and maroon (1930 -1933). From the collection of the author.

Teague continued designing for Kodak into the mid-1930’s. His crowning achievement for the company came with the exceptionally designed Kodak Bantam Special of 1936.

The Kodak Bantam Special, 1936, with its original box. Image from http://kodak.digitalfx.tv.

By the early 1930’s Teague became one of the top industrial designers in the United States. This put him in the ranks with Norman Bel Geddes, Raymond Loewy and Henry Dreyfuss. During this period some of his other clients included Sparton Radio and Texaco.

Walter Dorwin Teague’s 566 “Bluebird” radio for Sparton, 1936. This model is in the collection at the Corning Museum of Glass. Author’s photo.

Teague rendering for the prototype Texaco service station, 1936. Image from NC University.

He began exhibition work with the Ford Pavilion at Chicago’s 1933-1934 Century of Progress Exposition.

Roof of Safety exhibit inside the Ford Building, Century of Progress 1933 – 1934. Image from https://chicagology.com

Globe in the Court of the World, Ford Exhibit at the Century of Progress. Image from https://chicagology.com

As a result of his work in Chicago, Teague continued his association with Ford. He created their exhibit at the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition in San Diego. The following year, his Texaco exhibit proved to be a popular attraction at Dallas’s Texas Centennial Exposition. For the New York World’s Fair Teague’s exhibit work included commissions from Ford, United States Steel and National Cash Register.

Teague’s Ford Cyclorama at the 1939 New York World’s Fair.Image from https://designhistorylab.com

Working in collaboration with Edwin Fuerst for Libbey Glass they created the Embassy pattern. The glasses engraved with an eagle and stars were used at the Federal Building at the New York World’s Fair. Glasses without the engraving were sold to the public. These are very collectible today.

Walter Dorwin Teague and Edwin Fuerst glass in the Embassy pattern for the 1939 New York World’s Fair. This glass is in the collection at the Corning Museum of Glass. Author’s photo.

While Teague was busy putting the final touches on several exhibits at the 1939 New York World’s Fair, House Beautiful honored him with a feature on his apartment. To read the article click on the magazine cover below.

January, 1939 issue of House Beautiful.

Anthony & Chris (The Freakin, Tiquen Guys)

Fiestaware dancing lady logo from a 1937 price list. Image from the author’s collection.

Out with the old and in with the new. Or at least new to Fiesta. By the late 1940’s the Fiesta’s color palette seemed dated and changes were on the way. Barkcloth with tropical patterns became very popular after the Second World War. Their rich colors influenced design trends into the early 1950’s. And the ceramic companies followed this color trend. By 1950 Homer Laughlin felt that their Fiesta line needed an update.

The new Fiesta colors of 1951. Clockwise from upper left, disc pitcher in gray; two pint jug in rose; dessert bowl in Chartreuse and medium teapot in forest green. From the collection of the author.

In October of 1951 the change came. Of the five colors in the Fiesta line, cobalt, light green and ivory went into retirement. Yellow and turquoise stayed and joined the new colors of rose, forest green, gray and chartreuse (colors already in use on other Homer Laughlin lines).

All six Fiesta colors available between 1951 – 1959. Rose, chartreuse, forest green, turquoise, yellow and gray. From the collection of the author.

Campbell’s Department Store ad from October 9, 1952 announcing the new Fiestaware colors. Advertisement from the Oswego Palladium-Times.

Even though the new colors were introduced at the end of 1951 it took awhile before the stock of cobalt, light green and ivory became depleted. These colors remained for sale at least until the early part of 1953.

Ad for Fowler’s Department store from the Binghamton Press, February 11, 1953 that announced the retirement of the original blue, green and old ivory glazes.

Fiesta continued to sell well through most of the 1950’s and no pieces were dropped until 1959. But because of the short life of the 1950’s colors, just over seven and a half years, pieces in these colors are usually worth more than items in the earlier colors. Sometimes substantially more, especially the serving pieces.

Fiesta medium teapots in forest green and rose. From the collection of the author.

Here are the book values of the pieces with the biggest difference in values between the original six colors and the 1950’s colors:

Ashtrays: Original Colors $47.00 – $58.00; 1950’s Colors $82.00 – $88.00.

Casserole: Original Colors $135.00 – $210.00; 1950’s Colors $250.00 – $305.00.

Coffee Pot: Original Colors $175.00 – $245.00; 1950’s Colors $435.00 – $645.00.

Demitasse Cup & Saucer: Original Colors $89.00 – $102.00 ; 1950’s Colors $490.00 – $507.00.

Egg Cup: Original Colors $57.00 – $82.00; 1950’s Colors $145.00 – $165.00.

Disc Water Pitcher: Original Colors $110.00 – $165.00; 1950’s Colors $$230.00 – $255.00.

13 Inch Chop Plate: Original Colors $37.00 – $51.00; 1950’s Colors $83.00 – $100.00.

15 Inch Chop Plate: Original Colors $46.00 – $79.00; 1950’s Colors $95.00 – $110.00.

10 1/2 Inch Compartment Plate: Original Colors $40.00 – $70.00; 1950’s Colors $77.00 – $95.00.

Medium Teapot: Original Colors $155.00 – $225.00; 1950’s Colors $310.00 – $360.00.

The prices above are pre-recession book values. One can find these pieces for much less online and in flea markets today.

Two Fiesta Dessert Bowls one in chartreuse and one in gray. From the author’s collection.

Fiesta pieces in rose, clockwise from upper left, medium teapot, casserole, sauce boat and two pint jug. Author’s collection.

Medium teapot and sauce pot in forest green. Author’s collection.

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Teague continued designing for Kodak into the mid-1930’s. His crowning achievement for the company came with the exceptionally designed Kodak Bantam Special of 1936.

By the early 1930’s Teague became one of the top industrial designers in the United States. This put him in the ranks with Norman Bel Geddes, Raymond Loewy and Henry Dreyfuss. During this period some of his other clients included Sparton Radio and Texaco.

He began exhibition work with the Ford Pavilion at Chicago’s 1933-1934 Century of Progress Exposition.

Working in collaboration with Edwin Fuerst for Libbey Glass they created the Embassy pattern. The glasses engraved with an eagle and stars were used at the Federal Building at the New York World’s Fair. Glasses without the engraving were sold to the public. These are very collectible today.

While Teague was busy putting the final touches on several exhibits at the 1939 New York World’s Fair, House Beautiful honored him with a feature on his apartment. To read the article click on the magazine cover below.

Anthony & Chris (The Freakin, Tiquen Guys)

Like this:

Fiesta 101: Part Ten 1951 New Colors

In October of 1951 the change came. Of the five colors in the Fiesta line, cobalt, light green and ivory went into retirement. Yellow and turquoise stayed and joined the new colors of rose, forest green, gray and chartreuse (colors already in use on other Homer Laughlin lines).

Even though the new colors were introduced at the end of 1951 it took awhile before the stock of cobalt, light green and ivory became depleted. These colors remained for sale at least until the early part of 1953.

Here are the book values of the pieces with the biggest difference in values between the original six colors and the 1950’s colors:

Ashtrays: Original Colors $47.00 – $58.00; 1950’s Colors $82.00 – $88.00.

Casserole: Original Colors $135.00 – $210.00; 1950’s Colors $250.00 – $305.00.

Coffee Pot: Original Colors $175.00 – $245.00; 1950’s Colors $435.00 – $645.00.

Demitasse Cup & Saucer: Original Colors $89.00 – $102.00 ; 1950’s Colors $490.00 – $507.00.

Egg Cup: Original Colors $57.00 – $82.00; 1950’s Colors $145.00 – $165.00.

Disc Water Pitcher: Original Colors $110.00 – $165.00; 1950’s Colors $$230.00 – $255.00.

13 Inch Chop Plate: Original Colors $37.00 – $51.00; 1950’s Colors $83.00 – $100.00.

15 Inch Chop Plate: Original Colors $46.00 – $79.00; 1950’s Colors $95.00 – $110.00.

10 1/2 Inch Compartment Plate: Original Colors $40.00 – $70.00; 1950’s Colors $77.00 – $95.00.

Medium Teapot: Original Colors $155.00 – $225.00; 1950’s Colors $310.00 – $360.00.

The prices above are pre-recession book values. One can find these pieces for much less online and in flea markets today.

The next installment of Fiesta 101 take a look at the changes in the line in 1959 and the 1960’s.

For Fiesta 101: Part Eleven Click Here

Anthony & Chris (The Freakin, Tiquen Guys)

Below are some earlier Fiestaware posts:

Fiestaware 101: A course for beginner collectors. Part One 1936

Fiestaware 101: Part Two 1937 – 1938

Like this:

Teague continued designing for Kodak into the mid-1930’s. His crowning achievement for the company came with the exceptionally designed Kodak Bantam Special of 1936.

By the early 1930’s Teague became one of the top industrial designers in the United States. This put him in the ranks with Norman Bel Geddes, Raymond Loewy and Henry Dreyfuss. During this period some of his other clients included Sparton Radio and Texaco.

He began exhibition work with the Ford Pavilion at Chicago’s 1933-1934 Century of Progress Exposition.

Working in collaboration with Edwin Fuerst for Libbey Glass they created the Embassy pattern. The glasses engraved with an eagle and stars were used at the Federal Building at the New York World’s Fair. Glasses without the engraving were sold to the public. These are very collectible today.

While Teague was busy putting the final touches on several exhibits at the 1939 New York World’s Fair, House Beautiful honored him with a feature on his apartment. To read the article click on the magazine cover below.

Anthony & Chris (The Freakin, Tiquen Guys)

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In October of 1951 the change came. Of the five colors in the Fiesta line, cobalt, light green and ivory went into retirement. Yellow and turquoise stayed and joined the new colors of rose, forest green, gray and chartreuse (colors already in use on other Homer Laughlin lines).

Even though the new colors were introduced at the end of 1951 it took awhile before the stock of cobalt, light green and ivory became depleted. These colors remained for sale at least until the early part of 1953.

Here are the book values of the pieces with the biggest difference in values between the original six colors and the 1950’s colors:

Ashtrays: Original Colors $47.00 – $58.00; 1950’s Colors $82.00 – $88.00.

Casserole: Original Colors $135.00 – $210.00; 1950’s Colors $250.00 – $305.00.

Coffee Pot: Original Colors $175.00 – $245.00; 1950’s Colors $435.00 – $645.00.

Demitasse Cup & Saucer: Original Colors $89.00 – $102.00 ; 1950’s Colors $490.00 – $507.00.

Egg Cup: Original Colors $57.00 – $82.00; 1950’s Colors $145.00 – $165.00.

Disc Water Pitcher: Original Colors $110.00 – $165.00; 1950’s Colors $$230.00 – $255.00.

13 Inch Chop Plate: Original Colors $37.00 – $51.00; 1950’s Colors $83.00 – $100.00.

15 Inch Chop Plate: Original Colors $46.00 – $79.00; 1950’s Colors $95.00 – $110.00.

10 1/2 Inch Compartment Plate: Original Colors $40.00 – $70.00; 1950’s Colors $77.00 – $95.00.

Medium Teapot: Original Colors $155.00 – $225.00; 1950’s Colors $310.00 – $360.00.

The prices above are pre-recession book values. One can find these pieces for much less online and in flea markets today.

The next installment of Fiesta 101 take a look at the changes in the line in 1959 and the 1960’s.

For Fiesta 101: Part Eleven Click Here

Anthony & Chris (The Freakin, Tiquen Guys)

Below are some earlier Fiestaware posts:

Fiestaware 101: A course for beginner collectors. Part One 1936

Fiestaware 101: Part Two 1937 – 1938

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Like this: