| From the 1940´s: Theme, Piccadilly and Georgian Eggshell: In the early 1940´s, things were rather slow around the Art Department at the Homer Laughlin pottery. Although, Dr. A. V. Bleininger head of the Chemistry Department and Mr. Fredrick Rhead head of the Art Department were working closely on new developments. Dr. Bleininger states in a June 7, 1940 Homer Laughlin Newsletter, "We must be ready for any change that may happen. We cannot afford to leave undone anything that may lead to new type of ware or improvement in the art."
In June 1940, Mr. Rhead reported eight shapes, twenty-five glazes and four additional methods of decoration were being used. Also, about this time, Mr. Fredrick Rhead was seriously ill and left much of the art department responsibilities in the capable hands of Mr. Charles Williams. The New York World´s Fair was in its second year, and several new souvenirs were being produced to be sold at the Homer Laughlin Exhibit in the Home Furnishings Building. The old faithful shapes--Fiesta, Harlequin, and Eggshell Nautilus were still strong sellers, with the newcomers Piccadilly, Theme, and Georgian Eggshell picking up new sales. During the war years, the Homer Laughlin China Company had a contract with the United States Navy to provide dinnerware for the ships.
Theme shape was modeled in late 1938 for the 1939-1940 New York World´s Fair but new pieces were added and model changes were made as late as 1941. A 12" Theme platter was released February 20, 1940, and the salt and pepper shakers were released for production May 7, 1941. A 1940 Fall and Winter Sears Roebuck catalog lists "Surrey" on Theme shape, 32 pieces $5.49, 53 pieces $10.49 and 95 pieces for $18.98.
 
Piccadilly was first called "New Brittany" but very soon after the first mold was designed the art department began to refer to the shape as "Piccadilly". Modeling of Piccadilly began in December 1939, but actual production began in the early months of 1940. As late as 1945 the sugar, cover and cream were being reworked. In a 1949 Spring and Summer Sears and Roebuck catalog, "Mary Anne" on Piccadilly, 20 pieces $9.45, 35 pieces for $11.85 and 53 pieces for $18.25. The 1940 Larkin catalog lists a 32 piece set of "Empire" pattern on Piccadilly for $5.95 and a 54 piece set for $11.50.
 
What would prove to be a big seller, Georgian Eggshell, was also being modeled in 1940. Georgian Eggshell was a lighter weight version of Georgian, which had been in production for six years. On August 23, 1940 R. H. Macy and Company introduced Georgian Eggshell dinnerware and carried eight patterns in sets of four, eight or twelve, plus open stock. Mr. Rhead wrote "The Georgian Eggshell shape, as its name implies, is styled after fine old eighteenth century tableware with delicate beaded edge framing the wide rims of the flatware and graceful oval hollow wares which further emphasized the dainty lightness." The 1948 Fall and Winter Sears Roebuck catalog listes "Cashmere" pattern on Georgian Eggshell, 20 piece for $7.25, 32 piece set for $10.95, and 53 piece set for $21.50
  
Theme and Piccadilly had relatively short production, but Georgian Eggshell proved to be an endearing and enduring shape. | 
