Uncovering the Real McCoy (Pottery That Is)

McCoy Pottery holds a special place in my heart. Many of my earliest memories center around my mother’s collection. She adored her McCoys, and we spent many mornings sprinting from garage sale to garage sale in search of her next conquest. As a child, I was fascinated by the whimsical shapes of animal planters and character cookie jars. When I grew older, my weekly chore was to dust the collection. This began a lifelong obsession with McCoy, which I continue to indulge in today. 

McCoy Pottery’s history is truly an American story. It is a quintessential example of early American ceramic art dating back to the late 1800s. Its beginnings were rooted in the establishment of the J.W. McCoy Stoneware Company in 1848. In 1910, the company became the Nelson McCoy Sanitary Stoneware Company. This change happened under the guidance of Nelson McCoy and his father, J.W. McCoy, in Roseville, Ohio.

History—Nelson McCoy Pottery

In the early days, the company focused on producing utilitarian pottery, a necessity and a staple in American households. The company did well, making functional stoneware until around 1918 when it teamed up with eleven other potteries.

Together, they formed the American Clay Products Company (ACPC), based in Zanesville, Ohio. This conglomerate aimed to streamline the marketing and distribution of stoneware products without a trademark. Their combined power allowed for shared workload and revenue among the member potteries.

The ACPC enjoyed prosperity until its liquidation in 1926. The member potteries, including McCoy, regained their independence and began directly competing with each other.

Around this time, the demand for traditional stoneware began to wane. McCoy pivoted towards producing decorative pieces, like vases, pitchers, and planters. By 1929, reflecting the shift in focus and the changing market, the company rebranded itself as the Nelson McCoy Sanitary Stoneware Co. 

During this period, McCoy Pottery began producing its own wares. The Great Depression and the following economic problems caused a drop in demand for food and sanitary products. In 1933, McCoy changed its name to the Nelson McCoy Pottery Co., showcasing its focus on decorative pottery.

McCoy Pottery became known for its distinctive pieces and colorful, vibrant glazes. The glazes used in McCoy Pottery came from different techniques, including drip, crackle, and matte glazing. They featured rich colors and interesting textures, making McCoy Pottery stand out from its competitors. Their decorative, often thematic offerings featured cookie jars, planters, vases, wall pockets, lamp bases, tableware, and more.

The McCoy family ran the company for 57 years. Nelson McCoy Sr., Nelson Melick, and later Nelson McCoy Jr. were in charge. They sold the company in 1967 to Mt. Clemens Pottery Co. The McCoy brand remained known for quality and craftsmanship. This was true even after changes in ownership and the retirement of Nelson McCoy Jr. in 1981.

How to Identify Your McCoy Pottery

Collectors and enthusiasts often seek out McCoy Pottery for its attention to detail, distinctive glazes, and uniquely attractive, often whimsical shapes. The McCoy Pottery brand, despite ceasing production in 1990, remains a celebrated chapter in the annals of American pottery, cherished for its contribution to the art form and its reflection of the changing tides of American industry and culture.

Some McCoy pottery pieces are more sought after than others due to their rarity, design, and historical significance. For example, pieces from limited production lines, like specific cookie jars, planters, or figural items, tend to be highly coveted by collectors. Items produced in smaller quantities or featuring unique glazes or hand-painted details are particularly desirable.

Additionally, older McCoy pieces from the early 20th century, especially those in excellent condition or with distinct marks from specific eras, often command higher prices. The demand for specific themes, such as animals or whimsical designs, also makes certain McCoy pieces more valuable.

Several vital characteristics can assist collectors in identifying McCoy Pottery. To identify McCoy pottery, look for some key features. Check for stamped, embossed, or incised marks on the bottom. Also, consider the design, style, glaze, and texture.

Markings: Authentic McCoy pottery is typically identified by a marking or stamp on the underside. This mark could be the company name, the logo, or both. They can be incised, embossed, or a combination of the two.

Here is a list of the primary marks associated with McCoy pottery throughout its production history:

“McCoy” – Simple mark, often stamped or incised.

“McCoy USA” – A common mark used from the 1940s through the 1960s.

“USA” – Frequently used alone or in conjunction with “McCoy.”

“NM” or “Nelson McCoy” – Early mark referring to Nelson McCoy Pottery, used mainly in the 1920s and 1930s.

“Brush McCoy” – Used before 1925, when the company was known as Brush-McCoy Pottery.

“McCoy Made in USA” – Used on some mid-century pieces.

“Lancaster Colony” – This mark appeared after McCoy was sold to the Lancaster Colony Corporation in 1974.

“McCoy Ltd” or “McCoy LLC” – Used after 1991 under new ownership.

“Caldwell McCoy” – Occasionally seen on limited or specialty pieces.

No Mark – Some pieces, especially early McCoy items, may have no identifying mark but are recognizable through style, design, or glaze.

Glaze: McCoy Pottery is well-known for its exceptional glazes. Available in a broad spectrum of colors, the finishes can be glossy or feature McCoy’s distinctive satin matte. The latter gives the pieces a recognizable velvety finish. Glazes in pastel yellow, green, pink,  and turquoise shades are among the most popular.

One of their most recognizable styles is the drip glaze, which creates a flowing, melted effect, often blending multiple colors strikingly. Some pieces feature a speckled glaze, adding texture and depth to the surface, while others have a hand-painted or airbrushed finish that gives them a unique, artisanal feel. The McCoy Pottery Collectors’ Society website features an extensive list of the McCoy pottery colors, and their time frames, initially produced by Nelson McCoy.

Shapes and Patterns: McCoy Pottery is available in various shapes and patterns. Some common McCoy pottery pieces include vases, planters, cookie jars, and pitchers. The patterns can range from simple designs to intricate motifs, from practical to whimsical.

Quality: McCoy Pottery is well-regarded for its high-quality craftsmanship. Look for smooth edges, even glaze coverage, and no visible cracks or chips. Because of the quality of the stoneware, pieces tend to have a solid, sturdy feel.

Is My Piece the Real McCoy?

Collectors should remember that not all pottery with the McCoy mark or style is the REAL McCoy. According to the McCoy Pottery Collectors’ Society, those items not authentically produced by the McCoy Pottery Company are categorized as “fake,” and “look-alike.” Because McCoy has produced legitimate reproductions, people avoid using the word “reproduction” when identifying a piece as a counterfeit.

A fake is a piece of pottery that McCoy never manufactured. A look-alike is a piece of pottery that looks like a known and authentic McCoy but is not. The McCoy Pottery Collectors’ Society has a pictorial listing of the known McCoy fakes. Unfortunately, some sellers claim their pottery is McCoy, even when the company never made that design.

Many companies have repurposed McCoy pieces into new molds. These are the look-alikes. The best way to avoid falling into the trap of purchasing these pieces is to understand some of the technical aspects of McCoy pottery. Differences in the types of clay used in the manufacturing process, the overall weight of the piece, the kind of glaze used (overly shiny), the color and quality of cold paint, and the extent of bottom glaze. However, one defining characteristic will generally indicate a look-alike, even if your technical knowledge is sparse.

Because these pieces are made from molds that are made from existing pieces, the new pieces will be smaller than the original, often noticeably so. According to the McCoy Collectors’ Society website, “As a rule of thumb, if the height or length of a suspect piece measures six percent, or more, smaller than the original, it is most probably a look-alike. A note of caution is needed here. There can be some slight measurement differences between individual pieces of all styles of authentic McCoy pieces. So, if the measurements made of a suspect piece are close to that of the original, other telltale characteristics should be investigated.”

Reference Materials You’ll Actually Use

Many reference books, such as The Collectors Encyclopedia of McCoy Pottery (1995) and The Guide to Brush-McCoy Pottery (Book and Price Guide) (1992), can assist you in identifying your McCoy pottery pieces.

As a collector of McCoy Pottery, I believe that one of the best online reference sites is the McCoy Pottery Collectors’ Society. It is easy to access when you’re in the midst of the hunt. The sections with photos of fake pieces never manufactured by McCoy Pottery, but people continue to try to label McCoy are extensive, as is the misidentified section. This is a simple-to-use, ready source of information. You can access it on your mobile device when your reference books are on a shelf at home.

The website also lists most of the color combinations of the McCoy pieces manufactured by the Nelson McCoy Pottery Company. Information is also available on the short-lived J.W. McCoy Pottery Company and the Brush-McCoy Pottery.

If you are REALLY a McCoy geek (as I am), there are also several good Facebook groups where knowledgeable and neophyte collectors come together to discuss the finer points of identification and collecting.

Interest in McCoy pottery is growing. Its pieces connect us to American pottery traditions and help us understand the evolution of ceramic art and the craftsmanship involved. McCoy pottery remains significant for collectors because of its distinctive designs, unique glazes, and historical value in American art pottery. 

You may also like:

Florence Ceramics Figurine Has a Touching History and Value

The Ceramic Collection Of Robert A. Ellison

Vintage Pie Birds Are Functional, Whimsical Collectibles

Source link