abenseibeldesign

Country-Time by Pfaltzgraff

Mark with no Raymor name

Mark with Raymor name

Production dates:

I have no concrete documentation for a time period.  I would have to guess it was first made in the early to mid 1950's.  Pfaltzgraff has no set production date; they will only say it is "circa 1952."

Comments:

Pfaltzgraff has confirmed the names of the two blues as Aztec Blue and Teal Blue.  Aztec is the darker blue. Also, Pfaltzgraff has brochures which names the pattern with fruits and leaves the Country-Time pattern. It appears at one time when the Sunburst design was used on the Smoke Grey, the pattern was called Snowflake. 

It is interesting to note in the book "Pfaltzgraff America's Potter" that the author states, "...Pfaltzgraff commissioned ceramic designer Ben Seibel to create new lines."  New lines?  Did Ben design more than one line for Pfaltzgraff?

Glazes/Patterns:

Solid colors are Aztec Blue and Teal Blue.  Under glaze decorations are found on Saffron Yellow, Smoke Grey, or "Beige."  I have not seen an under glaze decoration on either Aztec Blue or Teal Blue.  On "Beige", the under glaze decoration is "Brown."

Ephemera:

Listing of Pieces:

Open Questions:

What is the story behind the Raymor Modern Stoneware cup found with Country-Time glazes and patterns?

When did Raymor start to distribute?  Did Raymor only distribute certain colors or patterns?  Was the set in production before Raymor decided to distribute?

One theory:  From the first brochure shown in the ephemera section, Countrytime (one word) was first marketed as being "smart for the formal buffet or patio." This brochure only shows the serving pieces...it is missing cups, plates, platters, sugar, creamer, etc...  I have never seen a Sunburst patterned piece which carries the Raymor back stamp.

When Roseville closed, the powers that be at Raymor thought of expanding this line by using the Roseville molds.  The cup mold was used to test for various things like clay shrinkage, etc..  For whatever reason, it was decided not to continue with the Roseville molds (the cup is the only Roseville item I know of in this line); however, the line was expanded with new items (cups, plates, platters, etc...), and the Raymor logo was added to the back stamp at this point.

Another theory: Ben was working on both sets at the same time, and Pfaltzgraff rejected this cup design, so Ben used it in his Raymor Modern Stoneware set?