Fiestaware Collectors Corner

Fiesta Trivia Question: How many holes do the pepper shakers have? If you said 7, you would be right. If you said 6, you would also be right, it was a trick question. The pepper shaker had 7 holes until 1967, then they were changed to 6.

The fiesta salt and pepper shakers have a classic art deco look. A globe on a pedestal,, the the classic concentric rings on the top and base. The holes in the salt shakers were generally larger than on the pepper shakers.

The original salt and pepper shakers were available for sale separately and had cork stoppers in the bottom. The shakers were produced from 1936 to 1969. They were produced in the six original colors, then other colors were added. Medium green fiesta shakers are the rarest and most expensive sets. Red shaker production was halted in 1944, but resumed in 1959. The can also be found in the Ironstone and Amberstone colors.

You may find fiesta shakers with mold lines down the sides were they were not cleaned as well as they should have been before firing.

Harlequin salt and pepper shakers look completely different, being a 3 inch tall tower shape, so they should never be confused. Kitchen Kraft shakers do resemble the Fiesta shakers but they are bigger, so if you have seen Fiesta shakers, you shouldn't confuse them.

Collectors,

I bet the majority of you said that there is no such thing as wooden Fiesta. Well, the answer isn't really yes or no. Wooden fiesta, maybe. OUR Fiesta, no. There were wooden dishes made in the spirit of Fiesta, but they weren't really Fiesta and were not made by the Homer Laughlin China Company.

Actually, the Homer Laughlin China company wasn't the ones that produced Fiesta-Wood. In 1938, the G.H. Specialty Company applied for a copyright for the Fiesta-Wood line. The wooden plates and bowls had the band of dark blue, red, yellow, and green around the outsides or on the bases.

The wooden dished had a Fiesta-Wood logo on the bottom with the G.H. Specialty Company name and logo.

Gladys

Collectors,

Can you tell the difference between a medium and a large teapot?
First of all, the medium teapots were produced for 32 years and the large teapots were produced for 11 years, making it more likely that you will find a medium size teapot instead of a large. The medium pot was produced from 1937 to 1969. The large pots were produced from 1936 to 1946.
On the medium teapot, the handle is "C"-shaped rather than a more pronounced ring, the lid finial does not flare and the spout is longer and arched.
The large teapot was produced in red until 1944. The medium red teapot was also halted in 1944, but resumed in 1959. It was one of the original pieces that debuted in January of 1936. In contrast, the medium teapot was released a year later.
Both sizes of teapots have a steam vent hole that was applied by hand, so location can vary per piece.

Prices vary on the teapots greatly depending on size and color, but there is no doubt that a medium green medium size teapot is the rarest and therefore the most valuable. Medium green pots have been know to sell for more than $1,500.

The demitasse coffeepots are also referred to as "After Dinner" or A.D. because the coffeepot was designed to be used for after dinner drinks such as specialty coffees, hot chocolate, and warm toddies. The demitasse coffeepot is basically a scaled down version of the regular coffeepot with the exception of the handle. This coffeepot is marked with "Fiesta/HLC USA" on the bottom.

Collectors, note that the vent hole in the lid was made by hand so finding one where the hole was missed is not uncommon. The holes were also punched in different positions on the lid. These coffeepots were produced from 1936 to 1943. Dimensions were 7 1/2" by 3 1/2".

The Demitasse (After Dinner) cups were designed to match the coffeepot. They were produced from 1936 to 1959. The red cups were discontinued in 1944. Early Demitasse cups are rarely marked, but ones that are marked are stamped "Genuine Fiesta". Cups made before late 1937 have flat inner bottoms, while subsequent cups have a rounded inner bottom. Handles were put on by hand so watch for crooked handles.

Tom and Jerry mugs were named after the whiskey based drink that is served hot with the addition of eggs and sugar.  Absent are the usual band of rings that Fiesta is usually known for.  The original Tom and Jerry set also include a footed salad bowl which served as a punch bowl.  You often find a mug in white with the words "Tom and Jerry" in gold on the side.

Production dates where 1936 through 1969.  When marked the bottom of the mugs have the "Guine Fiesta" stamp.  Thickness varies between mugs.  Red mugs were produced until 1944 and were produced again starting 1959. 

The mugs were produced in several colors and are not hard to find, except in medium green.  Medium green is farily hard to find and usually brings about twice the price of other colors.

Currently there are some great deals on these mugs.  There is actually a medium green listed and is only $ 9 as of this listing!!!

Gladys

I received a question from Jerry, an auctioner that has 6 yellow fiesta plates with red stripes. They have the fiesta logo on the back.

I believe these plates were sold by Sears as a cake set in the 1940's. A set was made up of a 10" plate and either four or eight 7" plates. There were green or maroon stripes on ivory or yellow plates. The stripes were painted on after the plate was fired, so they do not wear well.

These are considered fairly rare and the money value of them should be about 3 to 5 times the value of other plates produced around the same time.

If any of you have a picture of your striped Fiesta, the rest of us would love to see it !!!!

Gladys

Are you truly a Fiesta Fanatic? Try this quiz. Careful, the answers are shown at the bottom, so you may want to hide them from yourself.

Fiesta Fanatic Quiz

Are you a true fiesta fanatic or just a wannabe? Test your skills here!

1) Which color listed below was NOT one of the original Fiesta colors first introduced in 1936?
a. Red
b. Green
c. Ivory
d. Turquoise

2) In 1959, which color was introduced as the eleventh color, considered very desirable by collectors today?
a. Red
b. Medium Green
c. Cobalt
d. Turquoise

3) Which of the pieces listed below has the distinction of being the only piece of Fiesta NOT designed by Frederick Hurton Rhead?
a. 2-Pint Jug
b. Tripod Candle Holders
c. Syrup
d. Ash Tray

4) Color is important in determining the value of a relish tray. Which colors are most desirable base colors?
a. Red/Turquoise
b. Red/Cobalt
c. Red/Green
d. Red/Yellow

5) Which of the following innovations implemented by HLC was key to mass production of pottery?
a. Continuous tunnel kilns
b. Dipping tubs
c. In-mold casting
d. Periodic kilns

6) Fiesta was first offered for sale in:
a. 1934
b. 1935
c. 1936
d. 1937

7) Which of the following was never marked with the Fiesta trademark?
a. Disk pitcher
b. Nappy bowl
c. Juice Tumbler
d. 10-inch plate

Which of the following was never produced for the Fiesta line?
a. Footed Salad Bowl
b. Butter Dish
c. Carafe
d. Egg Cup

9) The original Fiesta juice pitcher is most often found in what color?
a. Red
b. Turquoise
c. Yellow
d. Medium Green

10) What distinguishes a Fiesta creamer/sugar bowl set made prior to 1939?
a. Bases are flared
b. Creamer had a stick handle
c. Never made in turquoise
d. Both a & b

Answers:
1) d
2) b
3) c
4) b
5) a
6) c
7) c
b
9) c
10) d

There is still time to make reservations for the Fiesta Outlet Tent Sale!!!

Start Time: Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 10:00am
End Time: Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 7:00pm
Location: The Homer Laughlin China Retail Outlet
Street: 672 Fiesta Drive
City/Town: Newell, WV

The Homer Laughlin China Retail Outlet Tent Sale will be
JUNE 25th, 26th and 27th.

Fiesta® Ivory seconds will be available for the first time!

Retail Outlet will be closed JUNE 24th and 28th!

NO BULK SALES!

Warehouse Sale Rules and Regulations

1. Tickets will be given out each morning of the sale beginning at 7 AM.

2. Each person must be present to receive a ticket. No one under 16 permitted in warehouse/tent.

3. Customers will line up according to ticket number.

4. The sale will start at 10:00AM and run till 7:00PM each day of the sale.

5. The gate will be closed at 6:30 PM to allow us to get everyone checked out.

Has anyone bought or seen the Fiesta collector documentary? I found the site and watched the trailer at Fiesta Documentary It is called DISHES:a documentary about collecting Fiesta. They are asking $20 for a DVD, so I didn't order one, but was wondering if anyone has seen it.

It says something about it being on PBS in the future, so we will watch for the date to be listed. The producer says that it did play on PBS in Michigan. It looks like many collectors are interviewed, so if you were in the documentary, or you live in Michigan and saw it, leave us a comment and tell us about it.

Kay

Collectors are anxiously awaiting the initial shipment of another palate pleasing addition to Fiestaware china. Due to arrive in June, Macy’s will be among the first stores to receive a shipment of lemongrass, the newest color in the Fiesta line.

Lemongrass Fiesta is to chartreuse as evergreen is to dark green. At some point in the future, lemongrass will no doubt confuse “colorblind” newbies. Fortunately, there are lots of resources available to help new collectors distinguish the old Fiesta from the new. Marketed as complimentary to the newer contemporary Fiesta lifestyle colors, chocolate and ivory, lemongrass will appeal to buyers who appreciate Fiesta’s classic lines, but desire a more modern hue.

The new color does seem to pair up well with the chocolate Fiesta. What other colors would work with the new hues? We think classic turquoise would add a vibrant joie de vie to any table. As soon as lemongrass is available, check back with this site for some photos of new color pairings. Do you have any suggestions for color pairings? Send us your photos!

Gladys