This is my very first time joining in on Tea Time Tuesday. I wanted to show you a little treasure I found at an estate sale several years back.
This little treasure is a product of "Glo-Tan," produced by Carr China Co. Their items were considered "The Ware that Stands the Knocks." The pieces are very thick and heavy and manufactured mainly for hotels, restaurants, hospitals, clubs, etc. Thomas Carr was the president of the Warwick Pottery Co. in Wheeling, W.V. and was selected to manage the pottery in Grafton, which was built on the bank of the Tygart River in 1913.
Some of the clay was quarried locally (Grafton, WV), but most of the materials used were from New England, Berkley Springs region of eastern West Virginia and as far as Florida.
This plant started up in 1916, but abruptly closed in 1952 by Wheeler Bachman, who was the owner of the plant at the time. There was a decline in the pottery industry in America due to the competition from Japan and other low wage countries. The rumor was Mr. Bachman learned that the employees were discussing the possibility of a union. He was in such a rage, he closed the business.
There was a man by the name of Claude Hawks that visited the plant several years later and had this to say, "There was unfinished product all over the place; lines of benches, where artists worked...their brushes still in the glasses...dried up jars of ink and paint...transfer patterns all over. In the room where the kilns were, the carts were loaded just like they were going to be pushed in an hour or so...so tragic."
A tragedy indeed! The doors never opened again and burned to the ground in 1966. A sad ending to such a prosperous business.
If you would like to see more information about the Carr China Company, click here.
Click on Carr China Collector's Club for information on more pieces.
The lady that I purchased the items from was "very well to-do." She and her husband use to travel a lot, but I don't have any idea how she came upon these pieces.
Happy Tea Time! Here's to your health!
NOTE: The guitar table that the Glo-Tan cup sits on was created by my wonderful husband.
A lovely, sturdy set, Brenda...I think tea would stay hot for a long time in that pretty cup.
ReplyDeletePeace and Joy,
Marianne
I love *the ware that stands the knocks*!!!! We should all have more of those! Fun set and fun post. Happy Tea Day!
ReplyDeleteA hearty welcome to the Tuesday tea parties. There are so many lovely, welcoming ladies that take part in this, and I just know you will love being part of all the tea fun here in blogland.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing the things you can discover at estate and garages sales, isn't it?
What a neat, yet tragic, story of your cup's manufacturer. Thank you for sharing the story. As a family genealogist, I know that stories were meant to be shared.
Blessings to you,
Patti
There is something comforting about such a sturdy tea cup - thanks for sharing it and some background. This is my first Tea Time Tuesday also, so I hope you'll drop by.
ReplyDeleteHello Brenda,
ReplyDeleteThis was a wonderful tea time with a lot of interesting information. How might Claude Hawks have felt when he visited that left plant. Must have been a feeling like in "The sleeping Beauty". Amazing story and very nice tea cup. Thank you for sharing.
Best greetings, Johanna
Fascinating! I have heard of this in England, back when a number of bottle factories (china manufacturers) closed in the Stoke on Trent area. They just all walked away and closed the doors!
ReplyDeleteLove your cup and the history. I especially love hearing about this American company.
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us.
I am so glad you joined in Tea Cup Tuesday with us!
Hugs,
Terri
ooh i love the design and the pattern on the teacup and indeed it looks like it is made to stand the knocks! it's a tragedy indeed about the factory and how sad that it's burnt to the ground, thank you for sharing the history and Happy Tea time tuesday!
ReplyDeletex susan