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
We really enjoyed reading the first 10 installments! Can’t wait for #11 and following!