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