Favorite Dinnerware-1950s

OK, we only drag out this Bob White pattern from Red Wing (MN) Pottery a couple of times/year, but it still brings a smile to my face. It ain't fancy nor expensive china but to me represents a bit of 1950s Americana. Thanks for allowing me to share.

Bob White.JPG

I like that! It looks happy.

[Robin Garr]

I like that! It looks happy.

Yeah, me too ... I was expecting something more tacky and plastic, but that's folk art. (We have something kind of similar, a bunch of plates from Mary's family made by Hadley Pottery in Louisville. Real stoneware with simple designs, honest and fun.

When we first encountered a piece or two of this pattern in the mid-1990s, I immediately had to have more. All the remaining settings/platters were acquired piece by piece at various junk shops, flea markets and yard sales over the course of 2 or 3 years. The dinner plates are huge and are slightly bowl shaped giving testament to the larger servings and hearty, artery-clogging "cuisine" of that era.

Hey parders - how 'bout these for 50s BBQ kitsch:

Bill-
I would have loved to have had a plate like that when I was a young'n. I hated to have different foods touch on the plate and was forced to build mashed potato dams to keep all the various juices in their proper place.

Yup - big pocket for meat and a couple of small ones for a veg and mashed taters and gravy - all a kid could want. They are mid 1950s vintage. Now that Jenise knows I have them I may have to get them out to serve her when she comes to dinner!

[Jenise]

When we first encountered a piece or two of this pattern in the mid-1990s, I immediately had to have more. All the remaining settings/platters were acquired piece by piece at various junk shops, flea markets and yard sales over the course of 2 or 3 years. The dinner plates are huge and are slightly bowl shaped giving testament to the larger servings and hearty, artery-clogging "cuisine" of that era.

How fun to put together a collection that way!

How fun to put together a collection that way!

It was fun. This was prior to the internet becoming ubiquitous. I'm sure today, I would simply visit a few websites and accomplish the same thing, but it wouldn't be nearly as enjoyable as the old-fashioned way. And, that is coming from a guy who doesn't really like browsing yard sales and junk shops, antiques places, and whatnot.

Very cool, Winger. Your comment about collecting the old-fashion way versus using the internet piqued my curiosity. You are correct, one can find quite an assortment of replacement pieces for this pattern online. What was really interesting was a look at the many pieces this producer made. If you use Google Images to search "Red wing pottery, bob white pattern" you may find more desirable pieces that you'd like to add to your collection...the old-fashion way, of course.

JB

JB-
Having lived in Red Wing, MN for a few years, it is amazing the cult-like following this stoneware outfit has, particularly in that area. They also have a "collector society" that is quite active and holds an annual hootenanny in Red Wing. The original company folded in the 1960's IIRC, but a newer version was formed a while back to carry on the tradition but on a smaller scale and not quite the same variety and quality. Their salesroom has a large wall with samples of all the dinnerware patterns they produced over the years...must be close to 100---but again, my memory may be slightly tarnished.
FWIW, Red Wing, MN is a smallish town that sits on the west bank of the upper Mississippi River and is very scenic. Well worth a stop if anyone should find themselves wandering the upper Midwest...just not in winter . Even in the winter it has appeal. That stretch of the River is one of the few areas that does not freeze over during the cold weather, so this time of year you will encounter large flocks of bald eagle feeding along the water. Hundreds or even thousands within a few miles. it was very impressive. At the time, my "corner office", located in the historic St James Hotel building, had a huge window overlooking the river and it was hypnotic to watch these huge bids swoop in for their dinner.
Enough of this reliving the past, time for breakfast.

This is so interesting, Bill! I love this kind of thing. This interview with Larry Roschen was very informative. I am intrigued by the "lunch hour pottery"; never heard of that before. Fortunately, my collecting days are (somewhat) behind me. I use to think having an entire room devoted to collections of dinnerware would be wonderful...now, I'm happy to just read about unique pieces.

http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/red-wing-beyond-the-crock-larry-roschen-on-the-stoneware-legends-dinnerware/

JB