Homer Laughlin China Company
Encyclopedia
The Homer Laughlin China Company is an American pottery company based in Newell
, West Virginia, which is best known for producing the Fiesta line of dinnerware.
, Ohio
. The company was started in 1871 by brothers Shakespeare and Homer Laughlin
, however Shakespeare would later leave the company in 1879. In 1889, William Edwin Wells joined Homer and seven years later the two would incorporate. Homer would sell his interest to Wells shortly thereafter. The firm experienced rapid growth and opened a facility in Newell, West Virginia
in 1903. By the late 1920s all production was centered at the West Virginia factory and the Ohio site was abandoned.
To this day (2008) the company (often known as HLC) continues to manufacture all of its products in the United States. A visitor center, museum, and factory outlet are maintained at its headquarters.
Fiestaware
Homer Laughlin began producing the popular and colorful Fiesta line in 1936. Fiestaware continued to be produced through the late 1960s, with a number of new colours offered before the entire line was phased out.
Fiestaware was re-introduced by the company in the late 1980s, and remains in production to this day. The new Fiestaware line contains a number of pieces produced from the original molds, as well as brand new pieces designed for modern day use. Like the original line, the current day production
features an evolving number of colors.
Other Retail Lines
In addition to Fiesta, two other lines of colorful dinnerware in bright, solid-colored glazes were introduced in the 1930s. Harlequin was introduced in 1938 as a less expensive alternative to Fiesta available at Woolworth's
stores. They also produced Riviera dinnerware, which is distinctive for its triple-scalloped edges. Riviera was available in red, yellow, light green, mauve blue, ivory and occasionally cobalt blue. Production of Riviera ceased in the late 1940s. Harlequin was produced until 1964 and was briefly reintroduced in 1979 to mark an anniversary year at Woolworth's.
Epicure, a line based on popular colors and shapes of the 1950s was introduced in 1955, and was designed by a student of Russel Wright
.
Wrights own dinnerware lines were made by Homer Laughlin rival, Steubenville Pottery in nearby Steubenville, Ohio
. Epicure today is a sought after collectible, but it was not well received when introduced and was dropped only 1 year after its debut.
Wholesale Lines
A key part of Homer Laughlin's business yesterday and today is its hotel and restaurant lines. These pieces range from heavy duty industrial china perfect for hard use in all-day diners, to elegant fine china with gold trim. Fiestaware is also sold to trade accounts.
Government Lines
HLC maintains contracts with the federal government to supply china and dinnerware for a range of functions. This includes formal dinners to dinnerware for use by US troops at base camps, and in the field as well. A number of these designs are exclusive to government purchases.
Newell, West Virginia
Newell is a census-designated place in Hancock County, West Virginia, along the Ohio River. It is part of the Weirton–Steubenville, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area. Newell is the northernmost settlement in the state of West Virginia. The population was 1,376 at the 2010...
, West Virginia, which is best known for producing the Fiesta line of dinnerware.
History
The Homer Laughlin China Company initially began as Laughlin Pottery in East LiverpoolEast Liverpool, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,089 people, 5,261 households, and 3,424 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,010.3 people per square mile . There were 5,743 housing units at an average density of 1,320.8 per square mile...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. The company was started in 1871 by brothers Shakespeare and Homer Laughlin
Homer Laughlin
Homer Laughlin born 23 March, 1843 in Little Beaver, Ohio, was an American businessman and potter who, with his brother Shakespeare, formed the Laughlin Pottery Company in 1871 in East Liverpool, Ohio....
, however Shakespeare would later leave the company in 1879. In 1889, William Edwin Wells joined Homer and seven years later the two would incorporate. Homer would sell his interest to Wells shortly thereafter. The firm experienced rapid growth and opened a facility in Newell, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
in 1903. By the late 1920s all production was centered at the West Virginia factory and the Ohio site was abandoned.
To this day (2008) the company (often known as HLC) continues to manufacture all of its products in the United States. A visitor center, museum, and factory outlet are maintained at its headquarters.
Dinnerware lines
In the 1920s the firm advertised itself as the largest pottery company in the world. Estimates of production range from 25,000 to 35,000 different patterns over the century plus.Fiestaware
Homer Laughlin began producing the popular and colorful Fiesta line in 1936. Fiestaware continued to be produced through the late 1960s, with a number of new colours offered before the entire line was phased out.
Fiestaware was re-introduced by the company in the late 1980s, and remains in production to this day. The new Fiestaware line contains a number of pieces produced from the original molds, as well as brand new pieces designed for modern day use. Like the original line, the current day production
features an evolving number of colors.
Other Retail Lines
In addition to Fiesta, two other lines of colorful dinnerware in bright, solid-colored glazes were introduced in the 1930s. Harlequin was introduced in 1938 as a less expensive alternative to Fiesta available at Woolworth's
F. W. Woolworth Company
The F. W. Woolworth Company was a retail company that was one of the original American five-and-dime stores. The first successful Woolworth store was opened on July 18, 1879 by Frank Winfield Woolworth in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, as "Woolworth's Great Five Cent Store"...
stores. They also produced Riviera dinnerware, which is distinctive for its triple-scalloped edges. Riviera was available in red, yellow, light green, mauve blue, ivory and occasionally cobalt blue. Production of Riviera ceased in the late 1940s. Harlequin was produced until 1964 and was briefly reintroduced in 1979 to mark an anniversary year at Woolworth's.
Epicure, a line based on popular colors and shapes of the 1950s was introduced in 1955, and was designed by a student of Russel Wright
Russel Wright
Russel Wright was an American Industrial designer during the 20th century. Beginning in the late 1920s through the 1960s, Russel Wright created a succession of artistically distinctive and commercially successful items that helped bring modern design to the general public.-Designer:Russel...
.
Wrights own dinnerware lines were made by Homer Laughlin rival, Steubenville Pottery in nearby Steubenville, Ohio
Steubenville, Ohio
Steubenville is a city located along the Ohio River in Jefferson County, Ohio on the Ohio-West Virginia border in the United States. It is the political county seat of Jefferson County. It is also a principal city of the Weirton–Steubenville, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. Epicure today is a sought after collectible, but it was not well received when introduced and was dropped only 1 year after its debut.
Wholesale Lines
A key part of Homer Laughlin's business yesterday and today is its hotel and restaurant lines. These pieces range from heavy duty industrial china perfect for hard use in all-day diners, to elegant fine china with gold trim. Fiestaware is also sold to trade accounts.
Government Lines
HLC maintains contracts with the federal government to supply china and dinnerware for a range of functions. This includes formal dinners to dinnerware for use by US troops at base camps, and in the field as well. A number of these designs are exclusive to government purchases.