Fiestaware Archives - Driving for Deco

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.

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

Some of today’s most collectible pieces of Fiesta were cut from the line in 1946. *Note: By 1946 Fiesta was available in only five colors, ivory, cobalt, yellow, turquoise and light green. Because of government restrictions with uranium oxide the use of the red glaze stopped in 1944. Due to the two-year shorter production life, pieces in red often have a higher price today.

August, 1946

8 Inch Flower Vase

8 Inch Turquoise Flower vase, with a 10 Inch Red and 12 Inch Yellow for comparison. Image from vintageamericanpottery.com

The 8 inch flower vase survived almost four years longer than the 10 and 12 inch versions. In production for ten years (in all colors except for red eliminated in 1944), being discontinued in the summer of 1946. Today it is a little easier to find than the two larger versions. Though when found it still commands a relatively high price. In mint condition expect to pay anywhere from $200.00 – $500.00 and maybe a bit higher (especially for a red one).

November, 1946

The largest one time cut of items in the Fiesta line came toward the end of 1946, with the elimination of 14 pieces. No other change to Fiesta would be as drastic until 1969 and its restyling to Fiesta Ironstone.

Bulb Candle holders

One cobalt and a pair of red bulb candle holders. Image from VintageFiestaShop on Etsy.

More traditional in appearance than the tripod candle holder, the bulb candle holder proved more popular with consumers. As a result in stayed in production four years longer. Even though discontinued more than 70 years ago Bulb candle holders are still relatively easy to find. And their value reflects this. One can find a single one sometimes as little as $10.00 on the low-end and up to $100.00 or slightly more for a pair in mint condition.

The Carafe

Fiesta Carafes (1936 – 1946) in all six colors. Image from vintageamericanpottery.com

For any Fiesta collector the carafe is a highly desirable addition. These are difficult to find today. The capacity of the carafe is three pints. The lid has a cork stopper with a hand applied finial. The finial, front of the lid and bases were prone to damage. So expect to pay between $150.00 – $200.00 for a carafe in excellent shape.

12 Inch Comport

Fiesta comport in yellow. Image from Etsy.

This elegant piece, original to the line, makes a statement on any table. Used to serve fruit, salads or for holding a flower arrangement. This is a piece that is not too difficult to find today and since the recession the prices for comports have tumbled. Once hard to find under $100.00 today one can buy a comport from $40.00 – $100.00.

Sweets Comport

Sweets comports in light green and turquoise from the author’s collection.

The sweets comport was part of the Fiesta line from the beginning in January, 1936. Today this is a piece that is not easy to find. And it is also a piece whose value has not diminished since the recession. Values for a sweets comport in good condition range from $95.00 to just over $200.00.

Footed Salad Bowl

Footed Salad Bowl in yellow. Image from vintageamericanpottery.com

This large bowl is great for a salad if you have a family the size of the Duggar’s. It can also substitutes for a punch bowl. As a matter of fact a Tom and Jerry set did use the ivory color bowl with applied gold trim and letters just for that purpose. Introduced in January of 1936, the footed salad bowl came with the hefty price of $2.25 ($41.00 in 2018) and apparently did not sell too well. This makes them hard to find today. Because of their rarity this piece has retained much of its pre-recession value. In mint condition a footed salad bowl can sell between $250.00 – $400.00. The Tom and Jerry bowl will command an even higher price.

Ivory footed salad bowl as the Tom and Jerry punch bowl. Image from picclick.com.

11 3/4 Inch Fruit Bowl

113/4 Inch Fruit Bowl in old ivory. From the collection of the author.

Frederick Rhead, designer of Homer Laughlin china, planned this bowl to be part of the Kitchen Kraft line. The decision to move it to the Fiesta line in June, 1937 was the choice of the company’s president, Joseph M. Wells, Sr. With production of the bowl beginning soon after, it was in stores by either the end of the year or early in 1938. Because of a relatively short production life, just around nine years, these bowls are very hard to find. But their current selling prices does not reflect that scarcity. Pre 2008 recession values for the Fruit Bowl ranged from $300.00 – $350.00, today one can find these bowls on-line from around $100.00 – $150.00.

9 1/2 Inch Nappy Bowl

Yellow 9 1/2 inch Nappy Bowl. Image from ebay.com

The 9 1/2 inch nappy or serving bowl is a utilitarian piece. In production for only around 11 years it’s surprising how easy they are to find today. Though finding one in mint or excellent condition can be a challenge. Well used in their time, today these bowls often have chips along the rim. But in good condition expect to pay anywhere between $30.00 – $70.00.

Marmalade

Fiesta Marmalade in turquoise from the author’s collection.

A mid-1936 addition to the Fiesta line, the marmalade, seems not to have sold well during the 10 years it was in production. And that makes it a difficult to find and an expensive piece to buy today. It is easier to find the marmalade base than one with a lid. But if you buy a lidless one, be aware it will be very, very difficult to find a matching lid. Current on-line prices are: without a lid $180.00 – $250.00 and $280.00 – $360.00 with lid. The marmalade is a piece that is usually a little cheaper in an antique store, if you can find one.

Mustard

Fiesta mustard in light green. Image from Etsy.com.

Like the marmalade the mustard jar was another mid-1936 addition. Rejecting the original design as too large (it became the marmalade), Frederick Rhead redesigned a smaller model. The new jar is about the same size as the salt and pepper shakers. The lid is one piece, slipped cast and is similar to the medium teapot lid. All other pieces in the line have hand applied flared finials. Finding a mint condition mustard today is an expensive addition to a Fiesta collection. There are many lidless mustards in the market place and like the marmalade finding a matching lid will be hard. Today the price range is wide for a mustard anywhere from $150.00 – $350.00 for one in mint condition.

Ice Pitcher

Light green Ice Pitcher. Image from picclick.com

Here is another not too easy to find piece. Although it is a bit more common than some of the other pieces deleted at this time. The ice pitcher was part of the Fiesta line right from the start in the early months of 1936. This is a large pitcher, that holds two quarts, so it is very heavy when full. The prices for one these days vary widely and range from around $40.00 – $150.00 or more.

Large Teapot

Large Fiesta teapot in cobalt. Image from ebay.com

Here is another item of Fiesta available when the line hit the stores in early 1936. The teapot holds a full eight cups and when full can be awkward to use. As in many cases Homer Laughlin listen to retailers suggestions and a smaller and easier to handle teapot became available in 1937. Sales of the larger version must have declined after the introduction of the smaller teapot leading to its elimination towards the end of 1946. Like many of the other serving pieces dropped at this time, large teapots are getting harder and harder to find, especially in excellent condition. Current prices range from $75.00 – $250.00.

Utility Tray

A Utility Tray in old ivory, from the collection of the author.

Like the nappy bowls, the utility tray is another plain piece that lives up to its name. Designed for a variety uses, a tray for a sugar bowl and creamer, a spoon rest or a plate to serve carrot or celery sticks. Celery tray is another name for this piece. Added to the line in mid-1936 the utility tray had a revision in 1938 that slightly changed its shape. Values for either style are the same. Most sell between $20.00 – $30.00 today, which is not too far off from their pre-recession values.

Bud Vase

Fiesta Cobalt Bud Vase from the author’s collection.

In production for 11 years, the bud vase obviously sold well as so many are readily available today. If you want to add one to your collection shop around, prices vary greatly for this piece, from $20.00 on the low-end to over $100.00 on the high.

Water Tumbler

Fiesta Water Tumblers in the colors available at the time they were discontinued. From the collection of the author.

Added to the line in March, 1937, a little more than a year after the introduction of Fiesta, water tumblers had a production life of just over 9 1/2 years (red ones only 7 1/2 years). In 2018 they seem very difficult to find at antique stores and flea markets. They are much easier to find on-line and their prices are all over the place anywhere from $10.00 at the low-end to $60.00 on the high. Most seem to be in the $20.00 – $30.00 range.