HLC History - Chapter 2

In 1877 Homer bought his brothers share of the company and renamed the business "Homer Laughlin". In 1896 it was renamed "The Homer Laughlin China Company".

At this time there was stiff competition with European and especially English China. The public perceived that the American ware, which was more expensive, was of lesser quality. Many potteries disguised their ware with marks reminiscent of English marks or named their ware "Royal" to give the connotation of English ware. Homer Laughlin however, designed a mark that showed the American Eagle on top of the British Lion. He wanted to show his confidence in the American ware.

Homer Laughlin was aware of the conditions of his employees but safety standards were non-existent in industry at this time. The hazards of the job were many, mostly from the inhalation of the dusts associated with the production of the ware. In 1877 he was paying his employees more than their European or Asian counterparts. A skilled worker earned $2.33/day, an unskilled man $1.29/day, boys 0.82c/day and women and girls 0.75c/day. In 1880 he took 300 of his workers and their families by chartered train to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for an exposition in the afternoon and the opera in the evening. Laughlin was mindful of his workers and saw quality ion them. In 1880 Homer hired W.E. Wells as bookkeeper. He would eventually become the general manager and today his descendants are still managing the company. He hired the first female secretary in 1888. Later in the companies history the plant would include a recreational park.

May Your Dishes Bring a Smile To Your Face!

HLC History - Chapter 1

I didn't realize it had been so long since I had posted to my blog. I came across some interesting history of the Homer Laughlin China Company and wanted to share:

In 1872 the East Liverpool, Ohio City Council, foreseeing the demise in popularity of yellow ware offered $5,000 to anyone that would agree to build a four kiln pottery producing white ware.

Homer and Shakespeare Laughlin won that competition and proceeded to build a pottery in East Liverpool. They were natives of the area being born on Beaver Creek near East Liverpool and the Ohio River. After the Civil War Homer and his brothers had worked in the pottery industry in production and sales but were not expert in technical aspects of making ware.

They accepted the Council's offer on September 1, 1873, broke ground for the plant on October 1 and opened for production one year later on September 1, 1874. The plant with only two kilns struggled due to a lack of capital and lack of experience. White ware had not been produced in the area before this time. It is said that the first batch of ware out of the kilns was cups and that when the ware cooled all the handles fell off. Undaunted they persevered, calling themselves, "The Ohio Valley Pottery" and "Laughlin Bros. Pottery". By 1874 they had 100 employees. Their work finally paid off when in 1876 they were awarded a medal for best white ware at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They were now established as a quality producer in the market.

May your dishes bring a smile to your face!

4th Marigold Piece Announced

75th Anniversary Soup Tureen
(Excerpts From an HLC Press Release Dated 10/26/2010)

The Homer Laughlin China Company™ introduced a limited edition, 75th anniversary, Fiesta soup tureen at the New York Tabletop Show, October 12-15, 2010.

"The 75th Anniversary Soup Tureen is such a special piece, not only because of its limited availability and collectability, but also because of its stunning presence on the dinner table," says Fiesta Dinnerware's Rich Brinkman.

Available only in the 75th anniversary color--Marigold--just 12,000 numbered soup tureens will be created. Each one will be numbered on the bottom of the bowl. It will only be available for 75 weeks from April 1, 2011 through September 1, 2012, while quantities last.

The four-piece Soup Tureen will feature an 11 5/8-inch round platter, 3 quart bowl (10 ½-inch diameter, 5-inch height), lid, and stainless steel ladle with a ceramic handle. The round platter is embossed with the Fiesta logo and the 75th Anniversary logo. The substantial bowl has a sculpted base that fits snugly in a crevice in the platter. The bowl also has two scalloped edged handles for secure serving. A gently rounded lid is topped with a signature Fiesta knob for easy removal; it also has a perfectly sized notch to hold the stem of the ladle. The 11 ½-inch ladle (4 oz. capacity) is made of durable stainless steel and is imprinted with the Fiesta logo. The 4 ½-inch ceramic handle is glazed with the matching 75th Anniversary Marigold color.

The tureen is the fourth piece in a 75th anniversary series that already includes three-piece mixing bowls (2008), 19.25-inch oval serving platter (2009) and a two-piece prep baking bowl set (spring 2010).

Designed by Frederick Hurten Rhead in 1936, Fiesta™ is now the most collected china in the United States. It features a unique Art Deco style and can be seen in the collections of numerous museums including the Smithsonian Institution to the Andy Warhol Museum.

EBay Revisited

As a result of the efforts of a number of superb EBay employees, with one in particular heading up the efforts, the issues LADishes.com had with EBay was resolved. As a result, LADishes.com resumed selling on Ebay on a very limited basis. We sincerely thank the EBay employees who worked tirely to resolve these issues (they know who they are) and for their efforts above and beyond what we ever expected. We also sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this sabbatical may cause any of our customers and honestly thank you for your patronage.

As a result of our "reconciliation" with EBay, LADishes will no longer under any circumstances or condition accept money orders from EBay buyers. The only method of payment we will accept is PayPal.

If you have any questions about this policy, do not hesitate to contact me. In the interim or at any time in the future, you can still "Google" the word "LADishes" if you desire to contact us about anything, particularly any warranty claims or assistance you may need with prior EBay purchases. Thank You Again. LADishes, an LMP Associates Company.

EBay Does Not Enforce Their Written Policies - Sellers Beware

Please Note: LADishes, also known as www.ladishes.com, will no longer be selling on EBay. The bottom line is that we were scammed by a registered EBay buyer. There was a clear violation of EBay policy in the matter. EBay's response to us: "We have changed this policy and the policy online is incorrect - that is still, as of this moment, the "old" publicly published policy that is a legal matter of record and available for all to view. There is no publication of such a new policy. Still, EBay will not enforce their own currently published written policy to protect us in this matter. Therefore, we no longer wish to subject ourselves to the ability to be scammed, via our EBay account, auctions and/or store, even when the scammer commits a clear violation of EBay's own written and published policies. We Sincerely Thank you for your past patronage. Feel free to "Google Us" if you need to contact us about any past or other purchase or warranty - ladishes.com

HLC Announces Third Piece in Marigold

Here are excerpts from the HLC press release:

The Homer Laughlin China Company™ is just one year away from celebrating the 75th Anniversary of its iconic Fiesta® Dinnerware Brand, made in the USA. The manufacturer unveiled a third collectible piece in limited edition color Marigold at the International Home & Housewares Show. Following the launch of the Three Piece Mixing Bowls (2008) and 19 ¼-inch Oval Serving Platter (2009), Homer Laughlin is releasing a 2PC Prep Baking Bowl Set in 75th Anniversary color Marigold.

“The 2PC Prep Baking Bowl Set is the perfect complement for those who already have the Three Piece Mixing Bowl Set or even for those who are looking for some versatile pieces to add to their kitchen. In 75th Anniversary color, Marigold, the bowls are a colorful addition for any cook’s collection,” says Fiesta Dinnerware’s Rich Brinkman.

The 2PC Prep Baking Bowl Set will be available in 75th Anniversary color Marigold, as well as 10 additional Fiesta colors: Scarlet, Cobalt, Tangerine, Sunflower, Peacock, Shamrock, White, Ivory, Turquoise, and Lemongrass. The collectible bowls in Marigold will only be available for 75 weeks – from April 1, 2010 through September 1, 2011.

The larger bowl is 2 quarts and the smaller 1 1/8-quart bowl fits neatly within it. The two bowls nest perfectly within the already released Three Piece Mixing Bowl Set.

In celebration of the impending 75th Anniversary in 2011, the first installment of collectible pieces was the Three Piece Mixing Bowl Set. Now retired, the collectible Marigold bowls were only available for 75 weeks – from April 1, 2008 to September 1, 2009. However, the Mixing Bowls are still available in the following Fiesta colors: Scarlet, Cobalt, Tangerine, Sunflower, Peacock, Shamrock, White, Ivory, Turquoise, and Lemongrass.

The second 75th Anniversary piece was the 19 ¼-inch Oval Serving Platter. The Marigold color will only be available until September 1, 2010. It will be available in coordinating colors – Scarlet, Cobalt, Tangerine, Sunflower, Peacock, Shamrock, White, and Ivory – following the retirement of the piece in Marigold.

The fourth and final collectible item will be released in 2011 to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Fiesta Dinnerware brand.

The 75th Anniversary 2PC Prep Baking Bowl Set in Marigold will be available at select fine department and specialty stores from April 1, 2010 through September 1, 2011.

Paprika - Homer Laughlin's Stock Photo

Here is a stock photo of the Homer Laughlin China showing their newest color addition - Paprika!