The Dish Patch, April 2003, Newsletter

The Dish Patch Newsletter on the Georgian Regular Shape written by Jo Cunningham and Darlene Nossaman.

Published by Robbins Nest

Fredrick H.  Rhead designed the Georgian shape for the Homer Laughlin China Company in 1933.  The Georgian shape, according to company records and Mr.  Rheads personal notes, was designed specifically to be marketed under "The Craftsman" name and was introduced to the trade in January of 1934.  The new line of Georgian shape dinnerware was described as follows in the Crockery and Glass journal for January 1934.

  "To meet the demand for fine dinnerware of American manufacture to be distributed through the department stores and china stores of the United States, the Homer Laughlin China Company introduced Craftsman dinnerware.  The initial offering under the Craftsman trademark is the dignified Georgian shape with its brilliant crazeproof texture and elaborate decorative effects."

This advertisement answers at least one question for the collector and researcher.  The use of the words "initial offering" indicates that other shapes were planned under the Craftsman trademark line.  To the best of my knowledge, no other Homer Laughlin China Company shapes have surfaced marked "Craftsman" other than the Georgian Regular shape.  It also appears that the Craftsman trademark line lasted for a few years only.  I would be interested in the dating information on any marked "Craftsman" pieces that you may have in your collection.  In time, we may be able to determine from the dates on the Craftsman pieces just how long the line was in existence.  Georgian Eggshell, released in 1940, is a lighter weight version of the earlier 1934 Georgian shape.  The Georgian shape will be found both with the Georgian mark and other Georgian shape pieces will be marked with the Craftsman mark.

  In Fredrick Rheads notes dated Tuesday, November 21, 1933 Rhead writes, "Numbered patterns Georgian Shape." Rheads handwriting is very difficult to read and some of the names may be misspelled.  He also notes that Macys selected the Chartreuse, Mauvette, and Carnelian decorations for their stores.

• G-1 Rosolane
• G-2 Mauvette
• G-3 Octavia
• G-4 Primuline
• G-5 Eugenia
• G-6 Gobelin
• G-7 Adelaide
• G-8 Sienna
• G-9 Chartreuse

• G-10 Carnelian
• G-11 Elaine
• G-12 Aspasia
• G-13 Aurelia
• G-14 Priscilla
• G-58 Formal
• Cynthia
• Garden Door

The life of the Atlantique ocean liner was short lived and on January 4, 1933 on a voyage from Brodeaux with no passengers and a limited crew the elegant Atlantique caught fire and burned killing nineteen seamen.  While I have no proof that the Atlantique decoration had any connection with LAtlantique the luxury liner it really doesnt matter.  The important thing is that I find cups, saucers and serving bowls to go with all these fabulous Atlantique plates that are now in my collection.

Reprinted with permission "The Dish" Vol.4, no 4. 2002.