Book Review: Collectible Vernon Kilns
By Linda Nelson
Collectors of Vernon Kilns pottery have been celebrating the second edition of Collectible Vernon Kilns by Maxine Feek Nelson for several months now. The first edition, published in 1994, has been out of print for a number of years, and the price for the 1994 editions that collectors can track down have soared. That is one reason Vernon collectors met the new edition, which features updates, new photographs and new prices, with big smiles.
In the intervening years between the publication of the first and second editions of this book, Mrs. Nelson continued her research and collected photographs contributed by collectors. The resulting book is chock-full of information and photographs that anyone interested in Vernon Kilns products will find useful and interesting. A large part of Mrs. Nelson’s research came from interviews with Faye G. Bennison, founder and president, Edward J. Fischer, last president and general manager, and Jane Bennison Howell, artist, designer and Mr. Bennison’s daughter. All of these people are now deceased making her work invaluable.
The book opens with a two-page display of various marks and backstamps used by the company, followed by company history, which includes the forerunner Poxon China 1912-1931 and the founding of Vernon Kilns in 1931. More history is included on pages 78 to 80 and "The Last Years" on pages 315-316 at the end of the book. A better arrangement would combine the history into a single section. The history pages are illustrated with photographs of plant locations as well as photo examples of early pottery ware. Thirty-two pages are devoted to Art Ware, featuring Bennison Art Ware by Jane Bennison, and Hamilton Art Ware by two sisters who worked together at Vernon Kilns in 1936 and 1937. The next section is devoted to famous artists-designers who created for Vernon, including Harry Bird, Gale Turnbull, Don Blanding, Walt Disney, and others. Examples of their work are shown in photographs.
Another section of the book, Specialty Ware, includes Vernon picture plates with many pictures of the plates. The section also includes lists of picture plates, including state and city plates with stores where they could have been purchased. Another lists the Bits Series—for example Bits of Old New England included the Old Covered Bridge, Haying, Sunday Morning, The Cove, Old Dobbin, The Whaler, Lighthouse, and Tapping for Sugar.
The latter half the book is devoted to the numerous dinnerware patterns the company made before it ceased production in 1958. The dinnerware section is arranged according to shapes, such as Montecito, Ultra, and San Marino. Within each of these subsections, individual patterns are discussed. Pattern lists with years of production and artists are included as well as current value lists. Mrs. Nelson has included many period advertisements along with new photographs of dinnerware.
Additionally, the book has photographs from company archives showing sales representatives and company leaders. On page 203, a 1950 photograph of a dinnerware promotion captures a charming depiction of the era’s sales marketing. The men are all dressed in business suits. Facing off in front of a display of Frontier Days dinnerware, Nort Meyers of Texas and Walter Songster of Colorado are sporting kiddie cowboy hats and brandishing cap pistols. Perhaps the reluctant look on Mr. Songster’s face discloses a premonition of looking ridiculous. The large lighting sconce on the wall behind him that blends into his hat would do nothing to allay his fears. Standing behind him, suave salesman Jay Sutton, dapper in a double-breasted suit, is holding a cigarette in his hand, while Bill Barber, the company sales manager, appears to be concealing a cigar in his.
The book’s extensive index includes designer’s names, directing the reader not only to the biography of the designer, but to his creations as well. Readers will find a wealth of information and photographs in this book. However, the book is not as easy to browse through for information as some better-organized books.
The dinnerware section would be easier to use if the shape name were included in the header instead of just "Dinnerware." Some photographs contain groupings of more than one pattern, and although the captions identify each one, the photographs with dishes not arranged in distinct rows are difficult to follow.
Each page is designed with a bold gradated border ranging from deep yellow at the top to navy blue at the bottom, which matches the book’s cover. The border makes it difficult to quickly locate the centered page number and is distracting and unnecessary.
The flaws of the book are minor, however, and Vernon Collectors will likely overlook them and delight in the latest edition of Mrs. Nelson’s work.
You can get Collectible Vernon Kilns now at a great price from amazon.com--32% off the list price. Just click on this link:
About the Author:
I've been interested in American Dinnerware for at least 15 years, but I knew I was hooked when I bought a 1937 set of Taylor Smith & Taylor dishes. I didn't need them, didn't really have room for them, and had no plans to use them, but I had to have them. I love the charm of their old-fashioned shape and the border of roses linked with a blue art deco-like band. The rest of my collection tends to be a piece here and there because my interest in American Dinnerware is bigger than my pocketbook. So, although my collection is small, my research continues.
I have a bachelor's degree in journalism and commercial art, but I've learned about pottery and glassware from reading, research on the Internet, and looking at pieces in antique shops. I grew up eating Sunday dinner from Taylor Smith & Taylor Lu-Ray dishes. My mother still uses them for special occasion dinners - like when "the kids" come home. (It's nice to have at least a couple of places where we can still be "the kids.")
After many years in a pressure-cooker job, with my husband's blessing I traded my long commute and a respectable paycheck for a chance to pursue some dreams. Now, I provide freelance writing and editing services remotely, thanks to email and the Internet. My primary customers are high-tech companies. My husband and I live in Sherman, Texas, with our spoiled-rotten rat terrier, Biscuit.
My other interests include drawing, painting, reading, crafts, antiques, and searching the Internet to learn more about it all. Visit me at American Dinnerware. I'd love to hear from you and talk about dinnerware. The site is new but will be growing.
Article courtesy of Suite101.com.
