Complete Booklet pope Gosser - Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum

Recollecting Pope-Gosser
A compendium of historic chinaware produced in
Coshocton, Ohio
Funded by the Joe R. Engle Museum Gallery Fund
Published by
The Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum
300 N. Whitewoman Street
Coshocton, Ohio 43812

Table of Contents
Forward 3
Clarus Ware 4
Pope-Gosser China 8
Clarus Ware and Unicorn 9
Unicorn 10
Second Crescent – Pope-Gosser China 21
Pogossi 22
Briar Rose 23
Pope-Gosser China Made in U.S.A. 25
Pope-Gosser China Made in U.S.A. Sterling 38
Tureen 41
W reath
Late Marks
44
Motion 49
Futura 50
Triangular mark 51
Modern 51
Ivory 52
No marks or unique marks 53
Employee List 55
Donor and Contributor List 56
Addendum – Historic Materials 57
Index 63

FORW ARD
This compendium of Pope-Gosser chinaware was created as a companion catalog to the special exhibit,
Recollecting Pope-Gosser. All displayed pieces have been reproduced in the catalog along with historic documents
and memorabilia. JHM appreciates the wide community support of this project. Folks loaned us their
chinaware, shared stories, and assisted in organizing the pieces and setting up the exhibit. Our project became a
community project, and we are grateful for the invaluable help.
Neither the Pope-Gosser special exhibit, Recollecting Pope-Gosser, nor this compendium would have
been possible without the assistance of three indispensable persons in particular.
W e thank Joe Engle for his generous support of this project through the Joe R. Engle Museum Gallery
Fund. The Joe R. Engle Gallery contains objects related to historical Ohio. The Joe R. Engle Museum Gallery
Fund supports activities of JHM, including lectures, exhibitions and acquisitions, connected with the Engle Gallery.
Carol Hosfelt, curator of Recollecting Pope-Gosser, and her husband, Fred, are two other friends
who gave extensively of their time, knowledge, and good will. An antique expert, Carol, contacted many wouldbe
donors, made arrangements for delivery of items to JHM, and supplied information and appraisals. Her
tireless efforts laid the foundation for the success of the entire undertaking.
The compendium is organized chronologically by mark.
3

I. Bentley Pope, driving force of the Pope-Gosser China Company, spent much
of his youth working in some of the famed potteries of England. Immigrating to the
United States in the late 19 th century, he was successively employed as manager at
various pottery companies. He continued to nurture the desire, however, for the freedom
to produce fine chinaware rivaling that of his native land.
To this end he met with jeweler Charles F. Gosser, president of the Coshocton Board of Trade, a group
of businessmen who were aggressively soliciting new industries for an expanding area. The end result of this
meeting was the formation of the Pope-Gosser China Company in 1902, with Pope as president, and Gosser as
Secretary/Treasurer.
By 1903 production had commenced in the 315’ by 90’ factory, modestly described by I.B. Pope himself
as incorporating the “best ideas in pottery manufacture” in a facility which boasted “a model, modern arrangement,
equal to if not superior to any plant of this kind in the world.”
Artware, dinnerware, and toiletware were proudly spewed forth by the initial rank of over one hundred
employees. As customary, china was recognized by a mark underfoot. Pope-Gosser began its life with a mark
consisting of a double ring with wings plus the identification CLARUS WARE.
Cracker jar H6” D6”
Plate D8.5”
Lemonade pitcher H8.5”
D6”; one of six matching
glasses H3.5” D3”.
Unique lemonade set made by Pope-Gosser employees in honor of the 50th wedding anniversary
of Charles Gosser’s parents in 1907. Marked on pitcher foot in gold 1857 / 1907.
Each glass is marked with the initial of one of their children’s names. Pitcher H8” D5.75”;
CupH 3.5” D3”
4

In the November 18, 1902, edition of the Coshocton Age newspaper, it was
postulated that the name of the new industry would be The Coshocton China
Company.
Shallow bowl H3.25” D11” Believed
to be made by Laura
Roberts.
Vase H12” D5.5”
Vase H19.5”
D6”
5
W arwich-type vase H3.74”
D5.5”
Tankard H15.75”
D7.75”; two (of six)
mugs H5” D4”
Tankard
H15.75” D8”

Plate D8.25”
Plate
D10.25”
Plate D8.25”
Pipe tray, engraved with a man’s
face and “Coshocton” L7.75”
W5.75”
Dessert bowl
D8.25” Part of a
set; more examples
at right.
Vase H11.5” D6.25”
Part of seven-piece set of
dessert bowls D8.5” and 5.5”
Dessert bowl H1.125”
D5.5”
The original brick factory building contained 1.5 acres of floor space. It was lit by electricity
furnished by the company’s own plant, heated by steam, and protected by a sprinkling system “which no
fire could long survive.”
Despite the state-of-the- art fire prevention, flames destroyed the north wing of the factory in
1906. Production continued as the section was rebuilt and the facilities expanded.
6

Pitcher W8”
H8.5” D5.75”
Two sherbet bowls H3” D4.25”
Matches pitcher (no mark) p. 53 and
cup and saucer (Clarus and Unicorn
marks) p. 9.
Mug H3.25” D3”
The factory was located at 329 North Fifteenth Street. The plant grew from
utilizing 6 kilns at its inception to 15 at its peak.
7
Plate D8.5”

The simple two-line Pope-Gosser mark was used as identification in the transitional
period between the Clarus Ware and Unicorn marks, pre-1908.
Handpainted fruit bowl H5.5” D(base)7.25”
(top)13” Detail of interior, near right. Side views,
far right. Signed by artist.
Bowl H3” D10.25”
Plate D9”
Plate D9”
The Coshocton Democrat and Standard newspaper reported in 1905, that I.B. Pope visited England on a
quest for decorating ideas. While there, he could not resist showing off his wares. He reported back
home of the favorable reception these pieces received, not only gaining praise for the superior quality of
the clays, but the honor of placement in London’s British Museum.
8

Another transitional marking was the combination of the former Clarus Ware Mark with
the new unicorn mark.
Pitcher H11.5” D6.5”
Mush bowl W5” H3.33”; saucer D7.5”.
Overlarge cup H3.75” D6”; and saucer
D7.375”. “Coshocton O.” on side,
commemorates Coshocton, Ohio,
centennial. Detail at right.
Fruitbowl
L12.5” W8”
Fruit or berry bowl H4”
D9”
Saucer D6” and cup D3.75”
Matches pitcher (no mark) p. 53
and sherbet bowl (Clarus mark) p.
7.
9
Saucer D7.5” and mush
bowl W5” H3.33”
Dessert bowls
H1.25” D5.5”.
Matches berry bowl
at left. Has only
Clarus Ware mark.

The unicorn mark was first used to identify Pope-Gosser China in 1908. Its use was
continued through 1920, although not exclusively.
Gravy boat L7” Detail at
right.
Sugar Bowl D4.25”
H4” and Creamer
D4.5” H4”
Cracker bowl D7.75”
Top view above.
Cracker bowl W8.25” H6.5”
Top view at right.
Fruit bowl. D10.75”
Pitcher D5.125”
Pope-Gosser originally utilized European clays in their mixture of kaolin, quartz, and feldspar.
I.B. Pope soon adjusted this to include predominant amounts of fine American clays from states including
Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, Minnesota, and North Carolina.
10

Gravy boat L7”
Fruit bowl H5.875” D(base)5.5”
L(top)12.5”
Fruit bowl H4”, D(base)5.25”
(top)9”. Detail of interior, right.
Fruitbowl H4” D(base)5.125”
(top)8.75” Detail of interior
above.
Pitcher H11” and basin
H4.5” L16”. Interior
view of basin at left.
11
Pitcher H8” D6”
Butter pat D3”;
gravy boat
L8”.
Detail above.
Pitcher H8” D6”; bowl H2.5”
D9.5”; oval platter L10.875”
Detail at left.

Fruit bowl H4” D(base)5” (top)8.75”
Detail of interior, right.
Serving bowl H3”
D10.875”
Cracker bowl H6.75”
D7.75”
Plate D10.25”
Wide-mouthed
bowl H2.75”
D(base)5.5”
(top)11”
Creamer H4.125” D4.25”;
butter pat dish D5”; sugar bowl
H4.25” D4.75”
Plate D9.875”
Detail at right.
12
Pitcher H6.5”
Berry bowl H3” D10.5”
Berry or serving bowl
H3” D10.5”
Plate D8.375”
Both mark and figure
are hand painted.

Pope-Gosser took advantage of the proximity of the Wheeling and Lake Erie
Railroad to ship in raw materials as well as to ship out the finished product.
Plate D7” Photo of
“Karl Von Meuller.”
Plate
D9.875”
Plate D10.25”
Stamped with
Clarus Ware
and Unicorn.
Plate D9.25”
Plate D9.25” Fish
depicted.
Oval platter L15.625”
Detail above.
Plate D10.125” Court
scene
13
Plate D10.25” Pictures
knight and lady.
Platter D18”
Platter D18”

Plate D9.25”
Plate D9.25”
Plate D8.25”
Oval platter D13.625”
Initials “I.O.O.F.” Detail
above.
Plate. D8.5”
Detail above.
Oval platter D11”
Detail above.
Plate D8.5” Detail at
right.
Oval platter D11.5”
Pope-Gosser china was touted for its ability to resist crazing and cracking.
14
Plate. D9”

Oblong celery dish
L13.25”
Dessert dish D5”
Initials “T.E.C.” Made for
the Trinity Episcopal
Church
Advertising plate
D7.125” “L.B. Weaver,
Dealer in General Merchandise,
Whitman,
Bread and
butter plate
D7.375”
Soap dish L4.625”
W4”
Plate D7.125”
15
Dessert dish D5”
Initials “C.C.” or
“G.G.” on rim.
Dessert dish D5”
Plate D7.125”
Plate D7.125” Poem
by Tennyson on front.
On back, “Mrs. N.J.
Tweed, Milliner, Fancy
China and Notions,
Sparta, Illinois.”

Pope-Gosser capitalized on the novelty art industry already thriving in Coshocton at the
turn of the century to produce calendar plates with business advertising discreetly
displayed.
Calendar plate, 1909. D8”
Advertising, “E.M. NEFF, Dry
Goods, Carpets, Ladies’
Ready-to-wear Cloaks and
Millinery. Crestline, OHIO.”
Calendar plate, 1910. D8”
Advertising, “Compliments
of E.T. Romans, General
Merchandise, Freeport,
OHIO.”
Calendar plate, 1910. D8” Details at
right. An identical plate, 1910, advertises
“OLE A. VIK, General Hardware, Draper -
S.D.”
16
Calendar plate, 1909. D8” Advertising,
“Millerschmaltz Dry goods Co
Fresno, OHIO”. An identical plate:
“Compliments of FIRST NATIONAL
BANK. Sterling, Colorado.”
Calendar plate, 1909. D8” Advertising,
“Compliments of F.R. Behlmer, Sunman,
Ind.” An identical plate, “Complimetns of
H.F. Canfield, Mill Village PA”

Calendar plate, 1910.
D9.25” Advertising,
“Compliments of Frank
B. Lovell. Libertyville,
ILL.”
Fire destroys north end of Pope-Gosser plant in
1906
17

Chamber pot with
handle H5” D9.5”
Covered serving dish L12” W8”
H6” Detail at right.
Charger H 1.25”
D14”
Fruit bowl L12.5” W7.375” H5”
Chamber pot with
bail handle H9.5”
D10.5”
Fruit bowl D10.5” Detail at right.
18
Gravy boat L7”
Plate D9.25”

***
Plate D8.5”
Plate D7.125” “Court
House - Coshocton, O”
Mug or flagon H5”
Reverse side
above.
Plate D8.5”
*** Young boys were hired to attach handles to cups.
19
Plate D8.5” Queen
Louise
Mug or flagon H5”
Plate with all-over pattern
D8.5”

Milk pitcher
H7.5” (to spout)
Fruit bowl H4” D9”
Winter plate D8.5”
Summer plate D8.5”
No mark.
Fruit bowl H3.625” D(base)5.25”
(top)9” Interior detail, right.
Four Seasons
Plates
Clays were mixed in an apparatus called a
pug mill.
20
Spring plate D8.5”
Clarus Ware mark.
Autumn plate D8.5”

In 1920, the “second cresecent” presented the Pope-Gosser name in all capitals, in
contrast to the previous crescent mark, introduced in 1909, in which only the initial
letters are capitalized.
Gravy boat H3.75” and
underplate L8.125”
Ramekin D4” and underplate D5.25”
Soup bowl D7.375”
Pitcher H4.5”
Handpainted. Reverse
shown above.
Teapot H2.875” D8.5”
Plate D8” Initials
“I.O.O.F.” on rim.
Tureen D11.75”
Plate D9.25”
Plate D8.875” Attached
note says experimental
piece.
Clay was unloaded from the railroad cars and carted into the plant with wheelbarrows.
21

Pope-Gosser produced a line of fine chinaware in 1929-30 imitating the bright colors of
some European china. It was christened, “Pogossi.”
Plate D10”
Bowl H1.25” D5.75”
22
Gravy boat with attached
underplate H3.25” L8.125” W6”
Dinner plate D10”

By 1929, many smaller china companies were experiencing difficulties in remaining
afloat. To remedy this situation, eight Ohio Valley businesses merged to form the
American Chinaware Corporation. Each of the eight, including Pope-Gosser, retained
individual identification, but were administrated by a central board of directors. In
1932, the same year that this mark was used, the American Chinaware Corporation filed for bankruptcy. Briar
Rose was a significant pattern for Pope-Gosser during this merge.
Two candlesticks H3”
L4.25” Stamped only with
Briar Rose.
Child’s set: 8-sided plate
D7.5” Cup H2” and saucer
D5.125”
Teapot H5.5” W6”
Side view and top
view.
23
Two candlesticks H3”
L4.25”
8-sided tureen H3” D9.25”
Briar Rose mark, only.
Saucer D10.5”;
cup H2” W3.5”

Plate L12” W10”
Square plate with raised
square hold W4”
Tureen D9.5” View of
interior and detail, above.
Oval celery dish
L11.75” W6”
24
Large bowl H4.5”
W10.125” Top
and side views.
Square plate D9.5”
Square plate D9.25”

Pope-Gosser began including “MADE IN U.S.A.” in the late 1920s up to its
merger in 1931. It was re-introduced later and continued through the 40s.
When the American Chinaware Company was dissolved, Frank Judge, an experienced pottery
executive, initiated the drive to re-organize the Pope-Gosser Company. In 1933, W illiam I. Pope purchased
back the company, and teamed with Judge and Curtis Lyons to sell four-thousand shares of common stock to
Coshocton area residents in order to resurrect the business. As soon as the company re-opened for business,
it was reported that the “orders poured in.” The direction of the company changed, however, to survive the
depression and the years that followed. Only two shapes were produced, Sterling and Sheffield, and although
the production of “fine, serviceable dinner and toiletware china” remained a goal, additional lines were
designed for sale in hardware and dime stores.
Plate D9”
Plate D7.375”
Lucerne.
Square cake plate
D10.5”
Plate D10”
Plate D10”
Betty.
Square cake plate
L10.5” Diagonal 10.75”
25
Round cake plate
with handles D10.75”
Plate D10.75”
Cake plate D10.5”

Gravy boat Duchess.
L8” H2.75”
Saucer
D5.75”
Plate D10”. “LaFayette
Tippecanoe Joint Centennial”
Names of Chairman and
Artist/Designer stamped on
reverse.
Cup D4” and Saucer
D6” V ictory.
Round cake plate with
handles D11”
Round cake plate
with handles
D 11.325”
Plate D8”, portrays
Martha Pope Salrin;
image from photograph
at right.
Michelle Salrin Stitzlein,grandaughter of William Pope, entertained
guests at her wedding reception with over one hundred different
Pope-Gosser place settings.
Plate D6”
Plate D6” Plate D6”
26

Plate D10”
Gwendolyn.
Sugar bowl H4”
D4.125” Ruth.
Plate D9.25”, and oval
serving dish D5.75”.
Detail at right.
Plate D7.5” Countess.
Gravy boat H2.75” L8” and
underplate H1.125” L8.75”
Gwendolyn. Detail at right.
Vegetable dish H2”
D8.125” Countess.
Demitasse cups D2.875”
Spring.
Sauce dish
D5” Matches
plate at left, but
with Unicorn
mark.
27
8-sided plate D7.75” and
cup Spring.
Gravy boat L7.5” W4.5”
H3.57”
Sugar bowl H3.5” D5.5”

Gravy boat with attached
underplate H3.25” L8.5”
Detail at right.
Pitcher D3.5”
Cup D5.5” and saucer
D3.75”
Round gravy boat with
attached underplate
D7.75”
Cup D3.5” and saucer
D5.375” Detail at left.
Teapot D6.5”
Gravy boat with
attached
underplate. D8”
Detail, left.
28
Butter dish and
underplate. D7.5”
Cup D3.5”. Troy.
Two cups D2.125” and saucers
D4.5”
Teapot H6” L9.75”; creamer H3” D4”;
sugar bowl L6.25” H4.25” Carrol

Lidded teapot with
plate H7.125” D5.25”
Cup H2” D3.625”
and saucer D5.75”
Creamer H3.875” W4” and
lidded sugar bowl H4.25”
D4.25”. Marcheta.
Tureen H5” L11.75” Side
view at right.
From set of 7 bowls: Large
bowls D7.325; small bowls
D5125”
Vegetable dish
W5.625”. Matching
cup and
saucer at left.
Detail at right.
Tureen H5.25” L11.5” Side
view and detail at right.
29
Tureen H5”D9”
Hotel-ware bowl
D7.25”
Plate D7.125”

After Coshocton reclaimed its own, management sought to create a signature line of
chinaware. Collaborating with the Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum, the Pope-Gosser China Company
developed a new design using a piece of wedding lace collected by David and John Johnson, benefactors of
the highly regarded museum recently established in Coshocton. After working several months, their artist
developed the embossed “Rose Point” design. Differing from other designs of the era, Rose Point was more
finely detailed, and extended beyond the normal rim-only decoration. It was also unique in that it had to be
adapted to each piece. The embossed design was produced on a light ivory body with a “glaze of unusual
brilliancy and transparency.”
Creamer H3.5” D3.5”;
sugar bowl H3.625” D3.5”
Rose Point.
Teapot H6” D8.5”
Rose Point.
Demitasse cup D2.875” and
saucer D4.875”; Compote
H2.625” D6”
Rose Point.
Plate with two girls
D9” Rose Point.
Egg cup H3.5”
D3.25” Rose
Point.
30
Tureen L6” H2.75”
Rose Point.
Cup 3.75” and saucer
D5.875” Rose Point.

Luncheon plate D8” with
cup D3.75” Rose Point.
Dinner plate D10”
Wreath mark. Rose
Point.
Dinner plate
D10.25” Rose Point
by Steubenville
Chafing dish with metal stand and candle.
H6” D12” View of lid, right. Wreath mark.
Rose Point.
Plate D6.125”
Rose Point.
Serving bowl D9” H2.25”
Marked with different stamp:
Rose Point Steubenville
Pottery Co.
Saucer D6.125”
Wreath mark. Rose
Point
Square luncheon
plate L7.5” and cup
D4” Tureen mark.
Rose Point.
Carlyle Roderick, former employee and presently collector of, Pope-Gosser, recalls the clay forms were
trimmed with a notched corset stave. Sponges were utilized to smooth the “green ware.”
31

Serving dish H2.5”
D9.625” Rose Point.
Large creamer H4.25” D5.5” and
sugar bowl H3.375” D4” Rose
Point.
Double chafing dishes in metal rack
H4.75” D9” Wreath mark. Rose
Point.
It was later noted that the beauty of the Rose Point pattern was not without its drawbacks . . .owners
were advised to wash immediately after use as dried foods were extremely difficult to remove.
Plate D9.125”; cereal
bowl D6.5”; sauce
dish D5.75” Rose
Point.
Bowl H1.5”
D6.75” Tureen
mark. Detail
above. Rose
Point.
Gravy boat H3.25” L9”
Fawn Rose Point. Tureen H4.75” L9” Fawn Rose Point.
Margaret Lowe identified the pink hued pattern as “Fawn Rose
32
Teapot
H7.75”
D6.25”
Rose Point.

Sugar bowl H4.25” D4.5” and
creamer H2.75” D4” “Warranted
Coin Gold” stamped underneath.
Spring.
Two bowls D7.5” and 8.125”
“Warranted Coin Gold.” Spring.
Round cake plate with
handles D11”
Tureen H5” D7.5” “Warranted
Coin Gold.” Spring.
Plate D9.125”;
sauce dish D5”;
bread and butter
plate D7.25”;
dessert plate D6”.
“Warranted Coin
Gold.” Spring.
Bread and butter
plate D6.125”
Wreath mark.
Spring.
Cup D3.625” and saucer
D5.875”. “Warranted
Coin Gold” Spring.
Celery dish L8.5”; gravy boat
L8”; vegetable bowl D9”
“Warranted Coin Gold.”
Spring.
Two oval serving platters
L11.125” and 15” “Warranted
Coin Gold.” Spring. Smaller
platter inscribed, “To
Dolores & Glenn From the Girls
of Decorating Dept. Sept. 1937.”
Teacups D 4.75” Wreath mark.
Spring.
Seven different types of clays were weighed to obtain correct proportions, then conveyed by hoppers
through a series of machinery. These machines included, sequentially, grinding mills, mixing tanks,
draining appliances, and compressing machines, from which the mixed clay emerged in flat two-inch thick
slabs measuring two feet square. Aged for several months, the most up-to-date technology kept these
slabs at the proper consistency with a system involving continual water evaporation.
33

Serving pattern L12.75” Details at right.
Bird of Paradise.
Milk pitcher H5.25” Additional
mark stamped on bottom,
detail at right. Bird of Paradise.
Teapot H5.75”
D4.875” at base;
sugar bowl H3.75”
D5.75” at base
Square plate
with handles
D10.625”
Dinner plate D10”; soup bowl D7.5”; cereal D6”; plate
D6.5”; plate D6.25”’; cup and saucer. Franklin.
Serving platter L17”
Bird of Paradise.
34
Teapot (Close-up below), creamer
H2.625” D4.75”and sugar bowl H3.5”
D5.375” Detail below.
Close-up of teapot L8.5”,
H2.75”
Cup D3.5” and saucer
D6” from set. Detail at
right.
Saucer D5.75” Bird of
Paradise.

Soup bowl H3” D4.875”
Melrose.
Mush bowl H2.75”
D4.5” Melrose.
Serving platter L11.375”
W8.625” Melrose.
Tureen with lid and slot
for utensil H4.75”
D9.125”
Gravy boat H3” D7”
Melrose.
Celery dish L8.75”
W .525” Melrose.
Plate D7.5” Detail at right.
Sugar bowl 4.5”
Melrose.
Cake plate D11.125”
Melrose.
Clay slabs were delivered from storage to “moulding and turning” rooms. Operators in this area
transformed the basic material into circular forms like plates, saucers and cups, on a rapidly revolving
wheel. Other workers molded shapes such as tureens or pitchers in plaster of Paris “moulds.” The
plaster of Paris facilitated the drying process by quickly absorbing moisture from the clay.
35

Gravy boat H3.125” at
spout L8” Clementine.
Serving platter L12.625”
W9.625” Detail at right.
Dessert plate D6.25”
LaBelle.
Creamer H3” D4”; and sugar bowl H4”
D4.5” Clementine. Creamer has triangular
mark. Detail at right.
Shallow bowl H1.125”
D5” La Belle. Tureen
mark. Detail above.
Butter pat dish D3.25”
La Belle.
36
Milk pitcher H5.25”
D5.25” Detail
above.
Sugar bowl with handles
H3.5” D7”
Cup D3.5” and Saucer
D6” La Belle. Saucer
has wreath mark.
Salt and
pepper
shakers
H4.5” D1.75”
at base La
Belle.

Vegetable dish. H3.25”
D10.5”
Sugar bowl H2.5” D3” and
creamer H2” D2.875”.
Completely gilded exterior.
Plate. D10” Detail at
right.
Plate D9”; tureen
H5.25” D7.5”; and
gravy boat with attached
plate H3.25”
L8”. Detail shown
above.
Butter dish with inset disk H4.25”
D9”
Plate D10”
Butter tub H2.25” D5.25”
In the chinaware industry, there are two basic forms: flatware (such as plates, bowls, or
saucers) which are formed on wheels; and holloware (pitchers, teapots, etc.) made by
pouring liquid clay into molds.
37

The name STERLING on variously patterned pieces designates a particular mold
design. On flat pieces this mold design is characterized by short parallel ridges
lining the perimeter.
Cup D5.75”; dessert dish H1”
D6”; salad plate D6”
Bowl H2.25” D8.5”
Saucer D6.25”
Child’s set. Plate
8.25”; bowl H1.5”
D6.5”; cup D3”
and saucer D5”.
“Stana Marie” on
plate.
8-sided luncheon plate
W7.75” and cup H2.25” D4”.
38
Dessert dish H1”
D5.75”
Set of dishes. Gravy boat H2.75”
L7.75” W3.5”; sauce boat H1”
D5.75”; cup D4” ; saucer D6”; plate
D9” and bread and butter plate D6”
Luncheon plate D9”

Set of dishes: dinner plate D9”;
luncheon plate D8.125”; dessert
plate D6.125”; serving dish
L7.25”, serving bowl L7.125 (incl.
handles); cup D4” and saucer
D6”; gravy boat L6” (excl. handle)
and underplate L8.75”; sauce
dish D5.5”; oval vegetable bowl
L9”; small L11.25”and large
L15.5” meat platters, covered
vegetable dish L11.25”. Marks
are mixed.
Bowl H2.25” D9”
Bluebell.
Plate D10”
Bluebell.
Gravy boat L7.5” H2.5” W3”
Tureen mark. Bluebell.
Small serving dish,
from set, L7.25”
W6.25”
Platter L11.25”
W8.625”
Gravy boat with attached
underplate L8.75” W4.5”
H3.75” Bluebell.
Creamer H3” D3.75”
Bluebell. Detail,
above.
Blank pieces were sent to the dr ying room to complete the process of drying. Here they were placed on
racks for an extended period before being trimmed by hand.
39

Saucer D6”
Plate D9.25”
Tea set, detail at right. Teapot H6” D6.5”;
sugar bowl D4.25”; creamer D3.75”; luncheon
plate W7.75”; and teacup D3.875”
The mold-maker, the man responsible for constructing the shell for
hollowware was one of the top paid employees of the company.
Mush bowl H3” D4.75”
Princess. Resembles
Gwendolyn (USA) and N e w
Princess (wreath). Detail
above.
Saucer D6”
40
Plate D9”
Mush bowl (from above) and gravy boat L8”
and underplate L9”

The Pope-Gosser China Company survived the war years, but struggled to remain
competitive in post-war America. It was during this decade (the 40s) that the tureen mark
identified the Pope-Gosser China. Due to the limited demand for china at this time, employees
often worked only one and a half days a week, which was preferable to being layed off. When company
President W illiam Pope died in 1948, his death further weakened the struggling company. This was in contrast
to the death of I.B. Bentley during the earlier years, when the company had been strong and healthy.
Gravy boat with attached
underplate. H3”; L6.5”
American Ivy.
Vegetable bowls D10.25”
9.375” and 7.375” American
Ivy.
Dinner plate D10”; Sauce
dish D5”; Soup bowl H2.75”
D4.75”; and saucer D6.25”;
Cereal bowl H2”D7”. American
Ivy.
Cup D2.5” American
Ivy. No mark.
Salt and pepper
shakers H3.5”;
bBoullion cup H3” D5”;
saucer D6” American
Ivy.
41
Creamer D4.5” H3.25” and sugar
bowl D4.75” H4”. American Ivy.
Wreath mark.
Oval platter D9.5”; Vegetable
bowl D8.125”. American
Ivy.
Teapot H8.25” D3.5”; cup D4”
and Saucer D6”. American
Ivy.

Small pitcher H7.75” D3”
Poppy.
Plate D9.125” Warranted
Coin Gold on
bottom.
8-sided Christmas
tree plate D8.25”
Bouillon cup H1.875” D4.25”
Stamped with Plummer mark,
right.
Child’s saucer D6”
Initials “C.N.B.” in center.
Gravy boat with unattached
underplate. H3” W5.25”
L8.75”
Leaf-shaped plate. L5.75”
Plummer mark.
Salad plate
D6”
Plate D9.25”; cup D4.125”
Detail at left.
Child’s cup, H2” D2.25”
and saucer, D5”.
Pope-Gosser produced a line of Christmas dishes exclusively for a New York department store.
42

Creamer H3” W5”; sugar bowl, H4”
D4.5” Paula. Sugar bowl has U.S.A.
mark.
Dinner plate D9.125”; Dessert
plate D7.125”; Vegetable bowl
H2.25” D9.125”. Dinner plate and
vegetable bowl stamped with
wreath mark.
Creamer H3” at spout; D2.25”
Numbered “1174” on bottom.
Wreath mark. Paula.
Sugar bowl H2.5” D4”; creamer
H2.875” D3”; cup D3.625” and
saucer D6”
Gravy boat L8” and
underplate H3.5” L8.75”
Chinaware underwent three firings to create the finished product. Items were packed in
an earthenware box called a sagar to be place in huge kilns for the first firing. Emerging from
the first, the “biscuitware” was inspected for flaws, dipped in glaze, then fired a second time.
Before a final, brief firing in the decorative kilns, women employees handpainted and
did “decalmanica” (applying of decals). Gladys Matthews recalls working on the pattern
above. In the decoration room, each of the buds had to be hand-spaced exactly right, includ-
43

Many examples of Pope-Gosser chinaware marked with a wreath identificaiton are still in
existence as this was a more recent label of the 1950s.
Dinner plate D9.125”; bread and
butter plate D6.125”; and dessert
plate D5.75” Pinafore.
Tureen D 7.75” Pinafore.
Cup, D3.75”
saucer, D6”
Pinafore.
Cup D9” and Saucer
D6” Pinafore.
Gravy boat with attached
underplate L8.75” Pinafore.
Cream D 3.5” and sugar D4” Pinafore
Egg cup, H3.5”
D3.25” Pinafore.
Bouillon bowl
D4.75”
Pinafore.
For many years Harry Roderick was the sole packer for the Pope-Gosser Company. In preparation
for shipment, Harry would carefully pack pieces in straw in barrels made to size.
44

The pottery business had specific vocabulary terms connected with its workings. The batter
out determined the thickness of the clay by striking it with a large paddle. The jiggerman
formed flatware (plates, saucers, etc.) on a wheel, trimming the edges with a special arm
device. Mold runners removed the pieces from the wheel, transporting them to the drying
racks.
Creamer D4.5” H3” L5.5’
8-sided plate D7.35”
Plate D9”
New Princess.
Sugar bowl. D4” H4.5”
Child’s plate D 9” “Joseph
R. Skelton Nov. 27, 1949”
45
Butter dish with cover L8.25” H3.5” Probably
New Princess.
Gravy boat with attached
underplate L8” H3.25”
Dogwood
8-sided plate D8”

Dinner plate D
10.25”
Dinner plate D 10”
Dinner plate D10.125”
Silver Dawn.
Cup plate D 4”
Gravyboat underplate L 8.75”
Silver Dawn.
46
Plates featuring
old-fashioned
vehicles D7.25”
Plates featuring
old-fashioned
vehicles D 7.25”
Dinner plate
D 10”
Encore.

Bowl D8.5” H1.5 Pink Peonies.
Dinner plate D 10”
Arvilla.
Dinner plate D 10” Era.
Plate D4” “The Pope-
Gosser China Co. 1903-
1953 ‘Where Quality Counts’
50th Anniversary”
Dinner plate D10”
Pink Peonies.
8-sided dessert plate D 7.75”
Bread and butter plate D
6.125” Greenleaf Silver.
Each individualized packing barrel was made on the property by the company cooper. A concrete pond
about three-feet deep kept the staves pliable and ready for use.
47

Dinner plate D10”; Salad plate
D6.25”; Dessert plate D5.125”.
8-sided plate D7.75”
“Commemorating the
Coronation of Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II June 2,
1953 Painted by Allan
Hughes”
Shortly after the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, this specialty plate was produced with high hopes.
Unfortunately it did not meet these expectations
Teapot H5.25” D4.75”; coffeepot H7”
D3.375”; salt and pepper shakers
H3.75” D1.875” at base. Detail,
right.
The gold-liners worked on the perimeters of the decorating
room, painting the band on the rim of the chinaware.
48
CupD4”; saucer D6”;
sugar bowl H4” D5” and
creamer, H3” D4.5”
Salad plate D8.5” Detail
at left.

Butter dish and lid H3”
W3.625” L7.875” Silver Pine.
Coffee pot H 6” W6.5” L3.25”; Creamer
H3” D3”; Sugar H2.625” D4.5” Silver
Pine.
Plate D 9” Silver
Pine.
Matching plates D10” Red plate has no mark.
Salt and pepper
H3.5” D1.175”
Silver Pine.
Platter W8” L11.125”
Silver Pine.
Divided serving dish W7”
L9.5” Futura stamped above
pattern.
Silver Pine.
In addition to the wreath mark, several other marks were utilized in the 1950s including:
Dessert plate
D5.875”
Dinner plate D10”
Dessert Plate D8.25”
Black Rose.
Former resident Curt Derby designed the Motion pattern line for Pope-Gosser. Unable to compensate
him for this service, the company paid in kind with a set of that china. The aqua blue pattern was
featured in a Better Homes and Garden picture.
49

Dinner plate D9.875”
Tempo.
Two plates D5.875”
and D7.875”
Wheatland.
Dinner plate
D9.75”
Sharon.
Sugar bowl H4.25” D3.75”; butter dish
H3.25” L8”; creamer H 3.75” D3.75”
Sharon.
Sugar bowl
H4” D4”
Tempo.
Dinner plate D9.75”
Dinner plate D10” Ingrid.
Dinner plate D10” Windsong.
Dinner plate D9.875”
Salt and pepper shakers
H5” No stamp. Detail,
right.
As each pattern was distributed, instructions were given for application. Sometimes a model was
placed in front of the worker as a visual aid for placement of the decals.
50

Plate D7.25”
Teapot H6.5” D6”
About forty women worked in the decorating room assembly line painstakingly applying decals before
the final firing. Sizing was applied in preparation for the decal application, after which the pieces were
soaked to remove the paper backing, then sponged to remove excess water with a cloth “boss” (a
pestle shaped tool constructed and stuffed with material).
1942 Stock Certificate
51
Small pitcher,
possibly creamer
H1.875” D3.5”

Five piece place setting
Plate D9”
Plate D9.125” Part of
set. Detail to right.
Serving platter L11” W8.5”
Gravy boat W4.125” H2.5” L9”
In the 1950s a final attempt at survival was made as Pope-Gosser developed hundreds of
new patterns, “constantly seeking to meet the desires of the American housewife.” Unfortunately,
their effort was unsuccessful.
On May 3, 1958, citing the increasing cost of operation and the pressure of imports
(particularly from Japan), the company declared bankruptcy, releasing the last of its one-hundred
fifty employees and closing its doors.
52

Often “seconds” resulted when a piece of inferior clay was overlooked, causing a dark spot. Not
wishing to claim these pieces as their product, unmarked items were often sold to employees at a
discount or consigned to the dump behind the factory. Sometimes salvageable pieces were claimed by
local residents. David Bown recalls a later era when one of his boyhood pastimes was smashing the
pottery that had been discarded in the dump.
Plate D8”
No mark
Tea cup H2.125” D4”
No mark.
Teacup D4” No mark.
Plate D8”
No mark
53
Tea cup D3.625”
No mark.
Plate D8”
No mark
Pitcher H8” D5.75” Detail
from reverse side. No mark.
Matches sherbet bowl
(Clarus mark) p. 7 and cup
and saucer (Clarus and
Unicorn marks) p. 9.

Vase H11.5”
No mark
Vase H10.5”
No mark
Vase H7.5”
D3.5” Unique
stamp shown
above.
Vase, H7.25” D3.5”
No mark.
54
Two vases H12”, shot
together to view both
sides. No mark.
Vase H6.5” D3.25”
Marked on bottom,
“Privately issued for the
Ryans Christmas 1931
Cambridge, Ohio.”
Plate D4”. Marked,
“Made in
Coshocton, OHIO
by the Pope-Gosser
China Co.”

POPE-GOSSER EMPLOYEES *(with position or department listed, if known)
Abrams, Charles O. Abie Conningham, F. Hall, J.
Adams, “Cappy” Conrad, Helen Gross (decorator) Harbold, Clarence “Jacky”
Aronholt, Anna Marie Gross Cooper, Harold C. (kiln placer) (kiln placer)
Austin, H. Cooper, Helen M. (brush rm.) Hardesty, William
Darr, Bob E. Harsh, Don (decorating)
Bachman, Eleanor (office) Davis, D. Hawkins, Harry
Bantum, Harold (mold runner) Davis, Pug Henderson, Bud
Barnhouse, Charlie Day, W ebb Allen (cooper) Holder, Albert J.
Barrett, Bill (decorating) Dobson, Bob (finisher) Hoenus, W illiam (artist)
Benner, Anna (decorator) Dole, Tommy (jiggerman) Howe, Arthur D. (45 yr.,
Bennett, “Pickle” (mold
maker)
Doyle, To m 1912-1957)
Berlean, Mick Eddy, Alice Johnson, Dewey (decorating)
Blackson, Sophia Eick, Gerald Johnson, Irene (decorating)
Bontempt, Okie (decorating) Eiler, Gilbert Jones, Arthur
Bookless, James Grover Jones, James
(decorating) Ferber, Alfred Jones, Robert
Bowers, Bob (batter out) Foster, Dan Judge, Frank
Bowman, Bill (claymaker) Foster, David Judge, To m
Bowman, David Foster, Roy
Brown, Jackie (jiggerman) Fowler, Roy Kobel, Elizabeth Bachman
Brandinesio, Tony
Brown, Jack
Funk, W alter (foreman) Kratz, Herman
Brown, Madge Gill, Charles E. (artist) Laird, Bob
Baumgardner, Glenn (cup Goodrich, Edith Laird, Curb
handler) Gross, Bob (clay) Laird, Jim
Baumgardner, Russell Gross, Denny Lane, C.
(jiggerman) Gross, Dick Lenard, Georgia
Bumgardner, R. Gross, Doats Lockwood, Allen
Burger, Galen (jiggerman) Gross, Grace (warehouse) Lockwood, Margaret
Gross, “Hi Ki” (jiggerman) Lyons, R.C.
Caley, F. Gross, Jake
Carnahan, Don Gross, John (clay) McCullogh, Ethel (supervisr)
Carningham, Don (ware boy) Gross, W alter Mainwaring, Clarence (batter)
Carningham, W ayne (ware Gross, W illiam A. (clay room) Mainwaring, Frank (caster)
boy) Grubbs, Mary Bachman Markley, Jim
Carrol, Eddie (decorating) Massey, F.
Caton, Rosamond Matthews, Clarence (kiln)
Chapin, Ed Hafner Jr., Lyman (Hank) Matthews,Gladys (decoratg.)
Cline, Albert V. (kiln placer Hafner Sr., Lyman (Hap) Matthews, Robert
1922-1939) Haines, Junior (batter out) Medley, W illiam Henry
Cobb, Brian (foreman) Hale, W ilmer (boiler room)
Cobb, Meryl (decorating) Hall, Alan
55

Pope-Gosser Employees continued
Miller, Jennet Scott (1943-58) Scott, Drexel Ira Turner, Bus (jiggerman)
Millington, Jack Seward, Gene (decorating)
Moore, Clyde (batter out) Shearn, Thelma (decoratg 12 yr.) Udder, Margaret Holder
Shearn, Gladys (decoratg 25 yr.)
Norris, Catherine Wells Shearn, Myrtle (decoratg 25 yr.) W agner, Paul (supervisor)
Sheran, Leppy W atson, William
Olinger, Hazel Robinson Sherlock, Don W eaver, Art (decorating)
(print table) Simpkins, Sylvia Hunt W eaver, L.
Parrish, Dolores Smailes, Lowell Wheeler, C.
Patrick, Evelyn Smalley, F. W eller, Edward
Patrick, Nettie Turner Smith, Blace (warehouse) W est, James (mold)
Porteus, Esther Scheetz Smith, Ed (warehouse) W eston, James (mold maker
(office) Smith, Hazel (decorating) 1924-6)
Smith, Katherine (decorating) White, Bluegil
Roberts, Laura Smith, L. W ier, Chippie
(1928-1955, Decorating) Snow, Ernie (foreman) W iggins, Anderson
Robinson, Rosemary Stahl, Zella Grubbs (decorating) W iggins, Bob (jiggerman)
(Decorating 1944-1954) Stoker, W illiam (mold maker) W iggins, Leonard P.(blacksmith)
Roderick, Carlyle Stone, Bill (finisher) W ild, Dick (decorating)
Roderick, Harry (packer) Stone, Pat (finisher) W ilden, Lotty
Roderick, Darrell Streets, W arren W ilkinson, Mac
Roderick, Isabel Suchmaker, Alta Royer W ills, Kathryn (warehouse)
Sutcliffe, Abigail W olfe, Sara Haxton
Salrin, Martha Pope Wood, J.
(bookkeeping) Taylor, harvey L. W yse, Lee (gold liner)
Sanders, Roland Tiedt, William
Sanderson, W. Teal, Joe (decorating) Young, Harold
Scott, Drexel Harry (kiln) Turnbull, Helen
* This list is a compilation of names supplied by local residents.
55a

Listing of Donors and Contributors
W e owe much gratitude to the many generous donors who answered the plea for our Pope-Gosser special
exhibit, supplementing those artifacts already in the collection of JHM. Although some of our donors wished to
remain anonymous, the remainder are listed.
David Bown Thelma Kaser
Shelly Lillibridge
Phyllis Cotterman Margaret Lowe
Janice D. Emler V ivian Mackey
Helen Moody
Joyce J. Fry
Dolores Parrish
Jay Gill
Jeff Gill Carlyle and Hilda Roderick
Suzanne Given
Joan Gross W .B.Sauer
John Gosser Family Natalie Stanton
Michelle Salrin Stitzlein
Amy Haynes
Joe and Ruth Henderson Jeanne Wheeler
W e also would like to acknowledge and thank these kind persons who have provided information and
memories.
Lewis “Pooch” Blackson Gladys Matthews
David Bown Dolores Parrish
Bob Dobson Carlyle Roderick
Marlan Hunt Hilda Roderick
Margaret Lowe Annette Salrin
Compendium Research: Sharon Buxton
Photography: Jon and Jesse Cotterman
Cover design: Steve Mercer
Lay-out design: Jael Malenke
Editing: Phyllis Cotterman, Patti Malenke
56
Michelle Salrin Stitzlein

Early photograph of Pope-Gosser employees and factory. Four close-ups are below.
58

Awards received from 1907 Jamestown Exposition and 1904 St. Louis Exposition.
59

Select pages from leather-bound booklet of price lists belonging to G. E.
Hamilton.
60

Both the mixture of clays and the recipe for the glazes were highly guarded secrets.
Annette Salrin recalls her father-in-law, William I. Pope, carrying the booklet of recipes in
his pocket at all times.
Staff photograph (ca. 1930s) featuring company president, William I. Pope, sixth from left, front
row.
61

These excerpts are from the flyer, Restoring a Profitable Business, that
sought local investors as the Pope-Gosser China Company began anew in the
1930s.
62

Index
Briar Rose 23-24
Clarus Ware 4-7
Clarus Ware and Unicorn (dual mark) 9
Donor and Contributor List 56
Employee List 55
Futura 50
Ivory 52
Modern 51
No marks or unique marks 53-54
Pogossi 22
Pope-Gosser China 8
Pope-Gosser China Made in U.S.A. 25-37
Pope-Gosser China Made in U.S.A. Sterling 38-40
Second Crescent – Pope-Gosser China 21
Triangular mark 51
Tureen 41-43
Unicorn 10-20
W reath 44-49
Addendum – Historical Materials 57-62
63