1776 Independence Ironstone Interpace Japan

[mizfooty]

1776 Independence Ironstone Interpace Japan

In my research of this dinnerware set I was amazed at the long history
of Interpace or International Pipes and Ceramics Corporation, along
with other large earthenware companies some of which eventually became
part of Interpace.

The New Castle China Company was organized in 1901 in Pennsylvania.
They produced semi-vitreous dinnerware for four years for private
homes and hotels. Around the same time the Shenango Pottery Company
was formed and also made semi-vitreous dinnerware. They had a rough
beginning and it was not until 1909 when James N. Smith took over the
company before it began to prosper.

From 1909 until 1935, the entire production of Shenango Pottery was
devoted to commercial china (hotels, restaurants, and institutions).
In 1928, Shenango built the first tunnel kiln and began to fire hotel
china for the first time in this country. Shenango also ran porcelain
trials researching a vitrified fine china dinnerware product. During
the Great Depression, Shenango abandoned this idea.

In 1936, Theodore Haviland was seeking an American company to make the
famous Haviland dinnerware. He were so impressed with the quality of
Shenango, a "gentleman's" agreement was made with Smith. From 1936 to
1958, Shenango Pottery Company made china for the Theodore Haviland
Company of France using their formula, blocks cases, decals, etc. This
ware was trademarked "Theodore Haviland, New York, Made in America”.

In 1939, Louis L. Helleman, an American representative for Rosenthal
China of Germany, came to Shenango and arranged to have Rosenthal's
shapes and patterns made at Shenango. In August 1951, Shenango
Pottery Company purchased the outstanding stock of Castleton.
In 1968 Interpace Corporation bought Shenango Ceramics and her wholly-
owned subsidiaries. Interpace already manufactured Franciscan
(earthenware) and fine china. Under the management of Interpace, the
plant was expanded and modernized. A complete cup system, new bisque
kilns and decorating kilns were built. They also introduced the
"Valiela" decorating process, which greatly reduced the cost of
print.

Gladding, McBean & Co., began production of Franciscan dinnerware in
1934 at their plant in Glendale, California. Over the years they
acquired several regional potteries and expanded their product lines
several times to include roof tile, decorative art tiles, garden
pottery, and art pottery. Their dinnerware lines were sold as
Franciscan Pottery.

In 1962, Franciscan became part of a large ceramic giant,
International Pipe and Ceramics Corporation, known as INTERPACE.
During this time another dinner line was also shown and marketed in
some of the same places as Franciscan. This line was Independence
Ironstone and under Interpace control, the staff at the Franciscan
Division added new shapes to Independence. Interpace independence
Ironstone was manufactured in Japan, Last appearing as a part of
Franciscan catalog in 1976.

In 1979 Josiah Wedgwood & Sons, LTD of England acquired Franciscan
from INTERPACE, and renamed the company Franciscan Ceramics, Inc.
American production of Franciscan Ware ceased in 1984, following the
announcement to relocate all Franciscan production to England. In the
year 2000 "Johnson Brothers/Franciscan, a member of the Wedgwood
Group" markets Franciscan china in the U.S. from production facilities
around the world.

I have for sell a set of dishware is called, “Yellow Bouquet”, along
with “Daffodil”. Production of these patterns has been discontinued.
This set has the green stamp on the bottom, “1776 Independence ©
Ironstone ® Interpace Japan”. The dishes are in an octagon shape and
painted with yellow color and yellow bouquets on a white background
and all under glass. There are no chips or cracks to this set, but is
some surface crazing that can be expected with vintage porcelain.

http://www.tias.com/stores/midwestsalecourt/

mizfooty