Pottery Archives - Driving for Deco

Fall 1943

In the late autumn of 1943 Homer Laughlin eliminated all the special Fiesta promotional items. These items, introduced in 1939 and 1940, are difficult to find today because of their short production life. And usually command high prices, especially the French Casserole and Refrigerator Set.

Promotional Items

: Fiesta promotional juice set and carton.

: The 1940 promotional Fiesta salad set, with the red and green Kitchen Kraft spoon and fork.

: Fiesta promotional yellow French casserole, 1940.

: Typical promotional sugar, cream and tray set. Image from vintageamericanpottery.com

: 1940 – 1943 Promotional Kitchen Set. Standard color combination. Image from vintageamericanpottery.com

: The standard refrigerator set, bowls of yellow, green and cobalt with a red lid. Image from Pintrest.

: 13 inch chop plate in old ivory with metal and raffia handle. Second to last promotional item, 1940. From the collection of the author.

Fiestaware special promotional items 1940 advertisement detail.

Early 1944

Elimination of Fiesta Red

Uranium 235 oxide was one of the ingredients of the red-orange glaze of Homer Laughlin and other pottery companies. The United States Government restricted the sale of Uranium oxide for civilian use in 1943. The government restriction came about because of the need of U-235 for The Manhattan Project’s creation of the atomic bomb. Without this compound Homer Laughlin had to cease production of the popular red glaze.

: The Red Juice Pitcher made for the Old Reliable Coffee special promotion.

: Ring Handle Creamer in Red.

: Red Fiesta Sauce Boat.

: 11 3/4 inch Fruit Bowl in Red.

: Deep Plate

: Red Relish Tray

: Plates in 6 through 10 inches.

: 12 inch Comport

: Mixing Bowls No. 1 – No. 7.

Mixing Bowls

Around the same time of the elimination of red from the Fiesta line, production of mixing bowls ended. As discussed in the last Fiesta post, mixing bowl production saw a drastic cut in 1942. Instead of offering each size bowl in all six colors, each size would be available in only one color. In early 1944 all mixing bowl production ended. Available for only about eight years, a mixing bowl in excellent to mint condition will have a premium price today.

: A complete set of Fiesta mixing bowls. Image from Facebook Vintage Fiesta Pottery page

: Fiesta mixing or nesting bowls. Showing rings on the bottom of the bowl. Inside rings are only found on bowls made before the early months of 1938. Image from Facebook Vintage Fiesta Pottery page.

Our next Fiesta installment will focus on the massive deletions that occurred in 1946.

For Fiesta 101: Part Nine Click Here

Anthony & Chris (The Freakin’, ‘Tiquen Guys)

Only a couple of years after the promotional campaign started, the Fiesta line started to contract. Most of the items dropped from the line were the serving pieces. Because of the short production time of these pieces they are generally harder to find and command premium prices.

Fall of 1940

Dripcut syrup pitcher: The syrup in production for just over two years (from late 1938 – late 1940) is available in the first six colors of red, cobalt, ivory, green, yellow and turquoise. It is very hard to find today. Because of its short production time expect to pay between $100.00 – $400.00 for one.

: Fiestaware syrup jugs in Turquoise, Red & Yellow. Image from zandantiques.com

: Fiestaware syrup jugs showing the impressed mold mark on the bottom.

October, 1942

The fall of 1942 saw the elimination of the following pieces.

Tripod Candleholders: Part of the line at its introduction in 1936 and discontinued a little more than six and half years later, these are not easy to find. And even harder to find in excellent condition. Expect to pay anywhere from $300.00 – $500.00 plus for a pair in mint condition.

: Ivory Tripod Candle Holder

: Red stripe tripod candle holders. Image from Srawser Auction Group.

After Dinner or Demitasse Coffee Pot: Another item from the introduction of the Fiesta line. This piece is probably the most elegant item every produced for Fiesta. This coffee pot is not easy to find today. This is a piece that commands a high price and Turquoise pots being in production for a year less than the other colors are the hardest to find. The current value of the Demitasse Pot (in mint condition) is from $200.00 – $600.00.

After Dinner or Demitasse Coffee Pot

Mixing Bowls in all sizes and all colors: While not a complete deletion, in the fall of 1942 mixing bowls were only offered in one color for each size of bowl. Here is what was available for the next year and half of Fiesta mixing bowl production: No. 1 bowl – red; No. 2 – yellow; No. 3 – green; No. 4 – ivory; No. 5 – yellow; No. 6 – turquoise & No. 7 – cobalt. Fiesta mixing bowls were well used and therefore not easy to find today in excellent condition. Bowls without chips or excessive scratches command high prices. Bowls No. 2 – No. 5 are the easiest to find. Bowls No. 1 and Nos. 6 & 7, because of their scarcity have the highest prices, usually in the $150.00 – $450.00 range.

: A complete set of Fiesta mixing bowls. Image from Facebook Vintage Fiesta Pottery page

: Fiesta mixing or nesting bowls. Showing rings on the bottom of the bowl. Inside rings are only found on bowls made before the early months of 1938. Image from Facebook Vintage Fiesta Pottery page.

Ten and Twelve Inch Flower Vases: In production for just under six years these flower vases are scarce today. Prices for vases vary widely, ten inch vases are now selling in the $100.00 – $1000.00 range. The same is true for the twelve-inch vase with current prices ranging from $500.00 – $1,900.00.

: Twelve inch Fiesta vase in Turquoise. Image from vintageamericanpottery.com

: Ten inch Fiesta vase in yellow. Image from vintageamericanpottery.com

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Fiesta 101: Part Eight 1943-1944 Deletions

Fall 1943

In the late autumn of 1943 Homer Laughlin eliminated all the special Fiesta promotional items. These items, introduced in 1939 and 1940, are difficult to find today because of their short production life. And usually command high prices, especially the French Casserole and Refrigerator Set.

Promotional Items

Early 1944

Elimination of Fiesta Red

Mixing Bowls

Our next Fiesta installment will focus on the massive deletions that occurred in 1946.

For Fiesta 101: Part Nine Click Here

Anthony & Chris (The Freakin’, ‘Tiquen Guys)

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Fiesta 101: Part Seven 1940 – 1942 Deletions

Only a couple of years after the promotional campaign started, the Fiesta line started to contract. Most of the items dropped from the line were the serving pieces. Because of the short production time of these pieces they are generally harder to find and command premium prices.

Fall of 1940

October, 1942

The fall of 1942 saw the elimination of the following pieces.

Tripod Candleholders: Part of the line at its introduction in 1936 and discontinued a little more than six and half years later, these are not easy to find. And even harder to find in excellent condition. Expect to pay anywhere from $300.00 – $500.00 plus for a pair in mint condition.

The next Fiesta installment will look at the items deleted in 1943 and 1944.

For Fiesta 101: Part Eight Click Here

Anthony & Chris (The Freakin’, ‘Tiquen’ Guys).

Like this:

Fall 1943

In the late autumn of 1943 Homer Laughlin eliminated all the special Fiesta promotional items. These items, introduced in 1939 and 1940, are difficult to find today because of their short production life. And usually command high prices, especially the French Casserole and Refrigerator Set.

Promotional Items

Early 1944

Elimination of Fiesta Red

Mixing Bowls

Our next Fiesta installment will focus on the massive deletions that occurred in 1946.

For Fiesta 101: Part Nine Click Here

Anthony & Chris (The Freakin’, ‘Tiquen Guys)

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Only a couple of years after the promotional campaign started, the Fiesta line started to contract. Most of the items dropped from the line were the serving pieces. Because of the short production time of these pieces they are generally harder to find and command premium prices.

Fall of 1940

October, 1942

The fall of 1942 saw the elimination of the following pieces.

Tripod Candleholders: Part of the line at its introduction in 1936 and discontinued a little more than six and half years later, these are not easy to find. And even harder to find in excellent condition. Expect to pay anywhere from $300.00 – $500.00 plus for a pair in mint condition.

The next Fiesta installment will look at the items deleted in 1943 and 1944.

For Fiesta 101: Part Eight Click Here

Anthony & Chris (The Freakin’, ‘Tiquen’ Guys).

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