| Southeast Ohio was once the home of many | | | | flowers adorning the bookshelf. Many of the |
| famous pottery makers. Even today, names like | | | | pottery bookends produced during the early to |
| Hull, McCoy and Robinson Ransbottom still | | | | mid twentieth century closely followed the |
| echo through the Muskingum River Valley. | | | | arts and craft movement and eventually the |
| Pottery bookends are among some of the most | | | | art deco form. McCoy pottery was also well |
| collectible pieces from these well known | | | | known for producing many different themes |
| pottery makers. | | | | that included various plant and leaf |
| | | | patterns. In addition to bookends and such, |
| The area around the Muskingum River Valley | | | | popular forms of McCoy and Hull included |
| provided the perfect combination of natural | | | | distinct fluted vases and deep color glazing |
| resources that included a ready source of | | | | patterns. |
| fine grade clay. Often found along the seams | | | | |
| of coal that dotted the subterranean | | | | The lovely McCoy White Horse bookends were |
| landscape, the clay gave birth to over fifty | | | | first produced during the nineteen forties. |
| pottery manufacturers. The abundance of coal | | | | Porcelain white in shade, the figures depict |
| provided a great source of energy to fuel the | | | | two draft horses rearing up on their back |
| kilns that were needed to fire the clay. | | | | legs. The colorful birddog bookends, also |
| | | | from McCoy, feature beautifully detailed |
| The fine quality of the clay found in and | | | | depictions of hunting dogs having just |
| around towns like Zanesville, Crooksville and | | | | retrieved some game birds. |
| Roseville produced porcelain like quality. A | | | | |
| combination of artistry and quality has made | | | | The Roseville bush berry pattern is a very |
| pottery from this area some of the most | | | | collectible bookend that, if found in perfect |
| collectable in the country if not the world. | | | | condition, can fetch hundreds of dollars. The |
| Pottery bookends from southeast Ohio stand as | | | | Roseville Zephyr Lily bookend is a |
| a testament to the century of fine pottery | | | | beautifully unique pattern and is highly |
| making that continues today. Annual events | | | | prized among some collectors. This |
| are held to celebrate and commemorate the | | | | distinctive pattern features a yellow lily, |
| rich traditional of pottery making, drawing | | | | shown on full bloom, placed in the middle of |
| thousands of collectors and pottery | | | | an open book. The Roseville magnolia blue is |
| enthusiasts. | | | | another highly prized and collectible set of |
| | | | pottery bookends. Set in a simple green L |
| Some pieces were created strictly for the | | | | shape, the flowering magnolia is placed in |
| sake of art while others, like bookends, had | | | | the center with a subtle accent of sunburst |
| a functional purpose as well. In the early | | | | surrounding the flower. |
| days of pottery making, form most definitely | | | | |
| followed function. From bowls, pitchers and | | | | Most of the kilns that produced some of the |
| other useful pieces, scarce resources were | | | | worlds most recognizable pottery are cold, or |
| not ordinarily expended on purely decorative | | | | have disappeared forever. The dozens of |
| pieces. This was especially true in ancient | | | | pottery and stoneware producers that once |
| times. This is not to say that a flower vase | | | | dotted the landscape of southeast Ohio have |
| or ewer could not be useful and decorative at | | | | dwindled to a handful. |
| the same time. During the heyday of pottery | | | | |
| making in Ohio, decorative and commemorative | | | | The internet has provided collectors from all |
| pottery pieces gained in popularity. | | | | over the world with the opportunity to gain |
| | | | an appreciation for these pieces of |
| Companies like McCoy and Hull are famous for | | | | Americana. As with any collectible pottery |
| vases and planters that doubled as bookends. | | | | bookend, the buyer must always be wary of |
| How beautiful it was to have fresh cit | | | | fakes and knockoffs. |