Salem China

Sebring Ohio Historical Society
126 North 15th Street
Sebring, Ohio 44672
330-938-6920

For at least a time, Salem used a dating system. On the back of pieces might
be a number followed by stars. The number is the year of manufacture, and
the stars tell the quarter of the year in which the piece was made.
Backstamps included 'Symphony by Salem, Mainstreet Harmony House by
Salem, The Salem China Co., and a drawing of a Quaker lady, Bone China
Blaze Sebring Swirl, Tricorne by Sebring, Streamline by Salem, Christmas
Eve, Briar Rose, Victory, New Yorker, Maple Leaf, Flair.

While not a pottery of Sebring, it was a Sebring owned pottery.
The Salem China Co. Was founded in Salem, Ohio, in late 1898 by Pat and John
McNichol, Dan Cronin and William Smith. The citizens of Salem came through
with a modest bonus to woo them away from East Liverpool. It languished with
absentee management, and by 1918 needed sizable capital infusions. In 1918,
the company was purchased by the Sebring family- manufacturing industry. The
Sebring's wanted Salem for their son, Frank Sebring Jr., who was returning from
the war in Europe. F.A. Sebring bought it in 1918 for his son, Frank, Jr. (Tode)
was discharged from the Army.
Floyd McKee, who had left the organization to go with the Saxon in January of
1917 was asked to rejoin the Sebring organization and take over Salem until
Tode would be discharged. After McKee retired in 1950, J. Harrison Keller,
husband of Gretchen Keller, F.A.';s granddaughter took over the management.
The company prospered under the Sebring's, who produced a wide range of
dinnerware - much of which was designed by Victor Schreckengost, one of the
most-important ceramic designers of the 20th century. For at least a time, Salem
used a dating system. On the back of pieces might be a number followed by
stars. The number is the year of manufacture, and the stars tell the quarter of the
year in which the piece was made. Produced pottery until 1967.