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Sebring Ohio Historical Society
| 126 North 15th Street Sebring, Ohio 44672 330-938-6920 |
| What would a museum be without questions and answers? Questions may be asked on the Contact Us page of this web site. **Please note: We cannot tell you how much your pottery is worth. **We also cannot answer specific questions as to why certain names were used as pottery patterns, code letters on the pottery, or nearly anything else about patterns, as all records were lost in fires, long ago. |
Q: Hi, I just found 42 pieces of French China from Sebring. They are beautiful
and in good condition. Would you be interested in having some pictures?
A: I'd love photos! Thanks! Please send to: Cindy Christani
Q: I have a tea pot (Ivory Porcelain) by Sebring but furnished by Albert Pick &
Co. Chicago... Should I be making tea or just look at it!!!!
A: We do not give values on pottery pieces. Please look at similar pieces on
Ebay and on the links page of our site.
Q: I have the art deco shaped cat shown on the front of the Grindley reference
book. I always thought it was a Grindley piece, but I have been told that it isn't
because its glaze color was never used by Grindley. Are you able to tell based
on the coloring if it was made by Grindley or one of the other companies that
seemed to make this same shaped cat? I can send you a photo if you wish.
A: We have an expert on Grindley pottery in our membership. The photo was
sent to him, and determined to be made in California.
Q: I have some blue dawn 2355-h can you tell when it was made?
A: No, we cannot date most pottery.
Q: I know you had a fire and I have the name of my pattern it is Royal-beige by
royal china co Sebring Ohio blossom time 4M1 this was on the back of one of
the dishes and I have not been able to find anything on the internet.
A: I know, its hard. But I can't date or value your pieces.
Q: I have a set of RC robin hood china some are marked and some are not
wonder if you could tell me why?
A: Isn't that a pain? But, some were marked, and others were not. Sometimes
an unmarked piece was a non-perfect piece, other times, it was just not marked.
Some potteries didn't mark any of their pieces!
Q: I have two pieces of Sebring pottery that I bought at a yard sale and I think it
is very valuable. The name of the pattern is Chantilly IT-S284. It is very
similar to the Promenade pattern. Give me some feedback on this piece as to
how much it is worth.
A: Once again, we do not value pottery. To our museum, every piece is
valuable.
Q: Is there a catalog?
A: This web site is our catalog of holdings. We do not sell pottery.
Q: Can you tell me if I had family in Sebring?
A: Genealogy questions are sent to our membership, and if someone recognizes
the name, then that person responds.
Q: My membership must have expired. I would like to rejoin the Society.
A: Please see our membership page.
Q: In my deceased mother's items I found a Golden Maize Little basket like
dish with a pierced silver edge which says on the bottom Made for
Farhanenmare by Sebring Potteries and a patent number of 230442. It is very
delicate and pretty but besides sentimental value, would it be worth keeping? I
don't want an appraisal just your thoughts and who is Farhoneware (unsure of
spelling, the gold lettering is difficult to read)
A: The piece that you describe was actually distributed by Farber Brothers of
New York City. The Sebring Pottery Company produced the Golden Maize
ware that was used for the ceramic portion of your bowl. Farber Brothers had
the plated metal edge made, put the two together and sold the finished piece
under the name Farberware. In the 1920's and 1930's, the Sebring produced a
lot of ware for Farber Brothers. The value of your piece is more sentimental
than monetary but the piece is still well worth keeping.
Q: Here are some images of the cup I found -- it looks like a shaving mug.
If it's of interest to your museum collection I can send better quality pictures or
send the mug in the mail.
A: Bless you for sending the little shaving mug back home! It has found a home
amongst kindred spirits. If you would like to donate your piece of Sebring
History to the Society, please send it to: Cindy Christani, 395 N. 15th St.,
Sebring, OH 44672. Donations are always accepted.
Q: Hello I will try to write a letter....but I helped with the Copley books. And
my husband and i used to fill the showcase in the lobby of the municipal building
full of cookie jars, dinnerware and Copley and Grindley....we sold our collection
of Grindley to Arthur Jr had to be before 1993...saw article about Grindley in
Antique Week May9th issue that got me to looking on line....I loved visiting
Margaret...I surely would enjoy seeing the museum I remember donating things
for auction to raise $$ for restoration....so if anyone is still around who
remembers me I send my best l live in Bay Village now...regards....Betty Carson
A: Thanks so much for contributing to Sebring's history! If anyone would like
to contact her, let me know!
Q: My father left me ribbon and medal that has N.B. of O.P. Sebring Ohio. Do
you know what the letters stand for.
A: The NBOP was actually the National Brotherhood of Operative Potters.
It was the national potters union based in East Liverpool OH. The union logo
began appearing on much of the pottery made in the US shortly after the Second
World War to show that ware was made here rather than in Japan or somewhere
else abroad. The NBOP eventually merged with other unions in the 1970's and
became part of the GPPAW or Glass, Pottery, Plastic and Allied Workers union.
The NBOP held a convention each year attended by delegates from all of the
local unions (ie. Local 44 and Local 59 represented workers at Royal China
Company in Sebring) throughout the country. My bet would be that your ribbon
probably came from one of those conventions.
Q: I am wondering if the Blue Willow dishes that were manufactured by Royal
in Sebring are considered pottery or china?
A: Most of what was made in Sebring was true Pottery.
Q: I am a retired teacher doing some genealogy. I have Ritchie and Rentz
family members all around your area. Recently I ran across a picture of my
grandfather Charles Rentz with a group of co-workers at a train station. He was
a telegrapher and written on the back is Sebring Station Force. Did Sebring have
a train station early in the 20th century and was it built by George Sebring to
have a line to Sebring, Florida?
A: No, I don't believe so. I am sure there were trains getting a person from
place to place, though! Once the Sebring family moved to Florida, they were
out of the pottery business.
Q: I have a picture of a truck that looks like it may be in the 1900s the door has
gem clay on it, i use to work there from 1962 till 1990. If u would like the
picture please let me know, were and a time and I'll bring it to you.
A: Your photo is now a valued part of our collection. Thanks!
Q: I have my great grandmothers china that was used for her 50th wedding
anniversary in about 1953. It is French Saxon China co, with a union name but
no pattern name, it only says 22 k gold and USA with gold trim, I saw it on
your site. It has become discolored and i do not know how to clean it, can you
point me in the right direction?
A: The only method I have tried is to pour hydrogen peroxide on the plate, then
place a paper towel on top of it and place it in a bag or wrap it. This might
bleach out your discoloration. Do not use bleach. And, I take no liability should
it make it worse. Just a suggestion I have had good results with.
Q: I recently found out about your preservation of the Strand Theatre. I'm a
member of the Theatre Historical Society of America and have visited almost
every historic theatre in the State of Ohio. I was wondering if any of the original
interior theatre architecture was preserved when you converted the Strand to a
museum? If so, I'd be very interested in scheduling a tour of the museum.
A: We'd be glad to have you visit! Just send me a message: Cindy Christani.
Q: I have an extensive collection of The Sebring Porcelain. I know my children
have no interest in the collection. Would the Historical Society have an interest?
Or can you suggest another museum that might have an interest?
A: We never turn down a donation that brings back a piece of our history! And,
how fun to find out how far and wide it has been! Please contact me for
sending instructions, and we will provide a tax receipt!
Q: I can identify some of the teachers in the picture of staff at Maple
Ridge-1954 on p. 45 of Images of America - Sebring. How can I get the
information to you, by email? I went there from 1948 until 1956 and had most
of these teachers.
A: You name them in order, and I will post them with the photo! Thanks for
giving us the info!
Q: I inherited my Great Grandmothers full set of Rose Glory china, it is a family
treasure - and we enjoy using it for special holidays. Is there any way to find out
of this was manufactured with lead? With so much in the news about lead
poisoning, I don't want to take chances in using the china if it could harm my
family's health.
A: Ellen Hocheiser, PhD. states this about Fiesta ware, another pottery:
"All vintage (dinnerware) contains lead and many other heavy metals. This is
true of most dishes made before 1972. It is also true of some china now (My
niece's Wedgwood China contains lead). Whether lead is in the dishes or not is
irrelevant, what is important is whether or not the heavy metals will leach into
food. Most Fiesta glazes do not leach a lot of lead. However acidic solutions
(vinegar, orange juice, etc,) increase leaching as does heating the plate or using
the plate in the microwave. The red was fired at a lower temperature and
therefore do leach more heavy metals."
And from another article:
"And, like most dishes made before 1972, all vintage Fiesta (dinnerware)
contains lead and other heavy metals. For this reason, many collectors choose
not to use their antique tableware every day. How much of the lead can leach
into food while using the dishes remains in question. However, it is generally
advised not to heat vintage tableware in the microwave or place acidic foods on
them, which can increase the lead leaching."
If you are only using your pieces for holidays, there is little risk. I also
discovered that many of the dishes we use today also
contain lead. You can purchase home lead testing strips, but they do not tell you
what lead levels exist, only that it is present. There
are allowable lead levels in dishes, so a home testing kit isn't going to be much
help.
I use my dishes for special family events. Using them in this way is a minimal
risk, no matter what the lead levels in the dishes.
However, the more crazing a dish has, the more it may leach lead, especially if
you use it to serve acidic foods.
Q: What does 'warranted 22K gold' mean?
A: 22k gold means that the piece had a bit of gold added to it. It may have been
stamped on, or more popularly, a gold band was painted on by brush. It is an
extremely thin layer. I have already had the question addressed about trying to
remove the gold for its value, and have explained that the layer is so thin it
would be gone in any attempt that I could foresee.
Liner's gold was either 14 or 22 K and came in the form of a paint. It was
applied with a small brush either by hand or by turning the piece on a wheel and
holding the brush against it. Even when the potteries were operating, it held
enough value that the guys in the color room at the Royal would burn the rags
causing the gold to burn off so that it could be retrieved and recycled.
When you look at the average line on a piece of ware, it is maybe .002 or .003
thick and maybe .00625" wide. Thus, as you say, a trace at most. For all the
more gold on a piece of ware, the value of her ware would be in the value of the
ware itself rather than in the gold if that is what she is trying to determine.
Q: Is there still a business in Sebring capable of making coffee mugs?
A: The places that I would try are Americana Art China Company, 356 E.
Maryland Ave., Sebring OH 44672, telephone: 330-938-6133 and Modern
China Company, 550 E. Ohio Ave., Sebring OH 44672, Telephone:
330-938-6104. I don't know that either still casts ware but I believe that both
still decorate imported ware and, the last I knew, both do coffee cups and will
decorate them with customer provided artwork.
Q: Years ago a dear lady from my church gave me a serving dish. I put it away
w/o examining it closely but recently gave it a closer look. It is a serving dish
with blue flowers surrounding a picture of a lady in several places on the cover.
The inscription on the bottom says S P CO. S-----V Sebring, O C25. What
has peaked my attention is that there appears to be a Nazi swastika insignia in
the design. Have you heard of anything like this before?
A: Yes, we have! This symbol is used by the Irish for good luck, and the
ancient Egyptians used it too. Most likely, your plate was Irish, so kiss it for
good luck!
Thanks for your questions!
and in good condition. Would you be interested in having some pictures?
A: I'd love photos! Thanks! Please send to: Cindy Christani
Q: I have a tea pot (Ivory Porcelain) by Sebring but furnished by Albert Pick &
Co. Chicago... Should I be making tea or just look at it!!!!
A: We do not give values on pottery pieces. Please look at similar pieces on
Ebay and on the links page of our site.
Q: I have the art deco shaped cat shown on the front of the Grindley reference
book. I always thought it was a Grindley piece, but I have been told that it isn't
because its glaze color was never used by Grindley. Are you able to tell based
on the coloring if it was made by Grindley or one of the other companies that
seemed to make this same shaped cat? I can send you a photo if you wish.
A: We have an expert on Grindley pottery in our membership. The photo was
sent to him, and determined to be made in California.
Q: I have some blue dawn 2355-h can you tell when it was made?
A: No, we cannot date most pottery.
Q: I know you had a fire and I have the name of my pattern it is Royal-beige by
royal china co Sebring Ohio blossom time 4M1 this was on the back of one of
the dishes and I have not been able to find anything on the internet.
A: I know, its hard. But I can't date or value your pieces.
Q: I have a set of RC robin hood china some are marked and some are not
wonder if you could tell me why?
A: Isn't that a pain? But, some were marked, and others were not. Sometimes
an unmarked piece was a non-perfect piece, other times, it was just not marked.
Some potteries didn't mark any of their pieces!
Q: I have two pieces of Sebring pottery that I bought at a yard sale and I think it
is very valuable. The name of the pattern is Chantilly IT-S284. It is very
similar to the Promenade pattern. Give me some feedback on this piece as to
how much it is worth.
A: Once again, we do not value pottery. To our museum, every piece is
valuable.
Q: Is there a catalog?
A: This web site is our catalog of holdings. We do not sell pottery.
Q: Can you tell me if I had family in Sebring?
A: Genealogy questions are sent to our membership, and if someone recognizes
the name, then that person responds.
Q: My membership must have expired. I would like to rejoin the Society.
A: Please see our membership page.
Q: In my deceased mother's items I found a Golden Maize Little basket like
dish with a pierced silver edge which says on the bottom Made for
Farhanenmare by Sebring Potteries and a patent number of 230442. It is very
delicate and pretty but besides sentimental value, would it be worth keeping? I
don't want an appraisal just your thoughts and who is Farhoneware (unsure of
spelling, the gold lettering is difficult to read)
A: The piece that you describe was actually distributed by Farber Brothers of
New York City. The Sebring Pottery Company produced the Golden Maize
ware that was used for the ceramic portion of your bowl. Farber Brothers had
the plated metal edge made, put the two together and sold the finished piece
under the name Farberware. In the 1920's and 1930's, the Sebring produced a
lot of ware for Farber Brothers. The value of your piece is more sentimental
than monetary but the piece is still well worth keeping.
Q: Here are some images of the cup I found -- it looks like a shaving mug.
If it's of interest to your museum collection I can send better quality pictures or
send the mug in the mail.
A: Bless you for sending the little shaving mug back home! It has found a home
amongst kindred spirits. If you would like to donate your piece of Sebring
History to the Society, please send it to: Cindy Christani, 395 N. 15th St.,
Sebring, OH 44672. Donations are always accepted.
Q: Hello I will try to write a letter....but I helped with the Copley books. And
my husband and i used to fill the showcase in the lobby of the municipal building
full of cookie jars, dinnerware and Copley and Grindley....we sold our collection
of Grindley to Arthur Jr had to be before 1993...saw article about Grindley in
Antique Week May9th issue that got me to looking on line....I loved visiting
Margaret...I surely would enjoy seeing the museum I remember donating things
for auction to raise $$ for restoration....so if anyone is still around who
remembers me I send my best l live in Bay Village now...regards....Betty Carson
A: Thanks so much for contributing to Sebring's history! If anyone would like
to contact her, let me know!
Q: My father left me ribbon and medal that has N.B. of O.P. Sebring Ohio. Do
you know what the letters stand for.
A: The NBOP was actually the National Brotherhood of Operative Potters.
It was the national potters union based in East Liverpool OH. The union logo
began appearing on much of the pottery made in the US shortly after the Second
World War to show that ware was made here rather than in Japan or somewhere
else abroad. The NBOP eventually merged with other unions in the 1970's and
became part of the GPPAW or Glass, Pottery, Plastic and Allied Workers union.
The NBOP held a convention each year attended by delegates from all of the
local unions (ie. Local 44 and Local 59 represented workers at Royal China
Company in Sebring) throughout the country. My bet would be that your ribbon
probably came from one of those conventions.
Q: I am wondering if the Blue Willow dishes that were manufactured by Royal
in Sebring are considered pottery or china?
A: Most of what was made in Sebring was true Pottery.
Q: I am a retired teacher doing some genealogy. I have Ritchie and Rentz
family members all around your area. Recently I ran across a picture of my
grandfather Charles Rentz with a group of co-workers at a train station. He was
a telegrapher and written on the back is Sebring Station Force. Did Sebring have
a train station early in the 20th century and was it built by George Sebring to
have a line to Sebring, Florida?
A: No, I don't believe so. I am sure there were trains getting a person from
place to place, though! Once the Sebring family moved to Florida, they were
out of the pottery business.
Q: I have a picture of a truck that looks like it may be in the 1900s the door has
gem clay on it, i use to work there from 1962 till 1990. If u would like the
picture please let me know, were and a time and I'll bring it to you.
A: Your photo is now a valued part of our collection. Thanks!
Q: I have my great grandmothers china that was used for her 50th wedding
anniversary in about 1953. It is French Saxon China co, with a union name but
no pattern name, it only says 22 k gold and USA with gold trim, I saw it on
your site. It has become discolored and i do not know how to clean it, can you
point me in the right direction?
A: The only method I have tried is to pour hydrogen peroxide on the plate, then
place a paper towel on top of it and place it in a bag or wrap it. This might
bleach out your discoloration. Do not use bleach. And, I take no liability should
it make it worse. Just a suggestion I have had good results with.
Q: I recently found out about your preservation of the Strand Theatre. I'm a
member of the Theatre Historical Society of America and have visited almost
every historic theatre in the State of Ohio. I was wondering if any of the original
interior theatre architecture was preserved when you converted the Strand to a
museum? If so, I'd be very interested in scheduling a tour of the museum.
A: We'd be glad to have you visit! Just send me a message: Cindy Christani.
Q: I have an extensive collection of The Sebring Porcelain. I know my children
have no interest in the collection. Would the Historical Society have an interest?
Or can you suggest another museum that might have an interest?
A: We never turn down a donation that brings back a piece of our history! And,
how fun to find out how far and wide it has been! Please contact me for
sending instructions, and we will provide a tax receipt!
Q: I can identify some of the teachers in the picture of staff at Maple
Ridge-1954 on p. 45 of Images of America - Sebring. How can I get the
information to you, by email? I went there from 1948 until 1956 and had most
of these teachers.
A: You name them in order, and I will post them with the photo! Thanks for
giving us the info!
Q: I inherited my Great Grandmothers full set of Rose Glory china, it is a family
treasure - and we enjoy using it for special holidays. Is there any way to find out
of this was manufactured with lead? With so much in the news about lead
poisoning, I don't want to take chances in using the china if it could harm my
family's health.
A: Ellen Hocheiser, PhD. states this about Fiesta ware, another pottery:
"All vintage (dinnerware) contains lead and many other heavy metals. This is
true of most dishes made before 1972. It is also true of some china now (My
niece's Wedgwood China contains lead). Whether lead is in the dishes or not is
irrelevant, what is important is whether or not the heavy metals will leach into
food. Most Fiesta glazes do not leach a lot of lead. However acidic solutions
(vinegar, orange juice, etc,) increase leaching as does heating the plate or using
the plate in the microwave. The red was fired at a lower temperature and
therefore do leach more heavy metals."
And from another article:
"And, like most dishes made before 1972, all vintage Fiesta (dinnerware)
contains lead and other heavy metals. For this reason, many collectors choose
not to use their antique tableware every day. How much of the lead can leach
into food while using the dishes remains in question. However, it is generally
advised not to heat vintage tableware in the microwave or place acidic foods on
them, which can increase the lead leaching."
If you are only using your pieces for holidays, there is little risk. I also
discovered that many of the dishes we use today also
contain lead. You can purchase home lead testing strips, but they do not tell you
what lead levels exist, only that it is present. There
are allowable lead levels in dishes, so a home testing kit isn't going to be much
help.
I use my dishes for special family events. Using them in this way is a minimal
risk, no matter what the lead levels in the dishes.
However, the more crazing a dish has, the more it may leach lead, especially if
you use it to serve acidic foods.
Q: What does 'warranted 22K gold' mean?
A: 22k gold means that the piece had a bit of gold added to it. It may have been
stamped on, or more popularly, a gold band was painted on by brush. It is an
extremely thin layer. I have already had the question addressed about trying to
remove the gold for its value, and have explained that the layer is so thin it
would be gone in any attempt that I could foresee.
Liner's gold was either 14 or 22 K and came in the form of a paint. It was
applied with a small brush either by hand or by turning the piece on a wheel and
holding the brush against it. Even when the potteries were operating, it held
enough value that the guys in the color room at the Royal would burn the rags
causing the gold to burn off so that it could be retrieved and recycled.
When you look at the average line on a piece of ware, it is maybe .002 or .003
thick and maybe .00625" wide. Thus, as you say, a trace at most. For all the
more gold on a piece of ware, the value of her ware would be in the value of the
ware itself rather than in the gold if that is what she is trying to determine.
Q: Is there still a business in Sebring capable of making coffee mugs?
A: The places that I would try are Americana Art China Company, 356 E.
Maryland Ave., Sebring OH 44672, telephone: 330-938-6133 and Modern
China Company, 550 E. Ohio Ave., Sebring OH 44672, Telephone:
330-938-6104. I don't know that either still casts ware but I believe that both
still decorate imported ware and, the last I knew, both do coffee cups and will
decorate them with customer provided artwork.
Q: Years ago a dear lady from my church gave me a serving dish. I put it away
w/o examining it closely but recently gave it a closer look. It is a serving dish
with blue flowers surrounding a picture of a lady in several places on the cover.
The inscription on the bottom says S P CO. S-----V Sebring, O C25. What
has peaked my attention is that there appears to be a Nazi swastika insignia in
the design. Have you heard of anything like this before?
A: Yes, we have! This symbol is used by the Irish for good luck, and the
ancient Egyptians used it too. Most likely, your plate was Irish, so kiss it for
good luck!
Thanks for your questions!