Q: I want to collect the old Franciscan Desert Rose, but find that it is made in USA, England and Portugal. I don't know which to buy. What does Franciscan Interface
mean? What should I look for on the back of dishes?
A:
Franciscan Desert Rose is probably the most collectible pottery pattern ever manufactured in the history of the U.S. It was introduced about 1940, and it has been produced continuously since then. It was originally designed and produced by Gladding McBean (Franciscan) pottery of California. You can learn more about this American manufacturer by viewing the link below.
Because the pattern was so popular for so long, Wedgwood purchased the rights to continue producing the pattern when Franciscan shut its doors around 1980. Wedgwood owns the rights and has produced the china in England for years. Now it may be produced in Portugal, or any other country where Wedgwood has a factory.
There are different views about collecting Desert Rose pottery. Because the pattern was produced in California for 40 years, many people collect only the old American-made pieces and will not accept any new English pieces. Most people who collect the English-made pieces want only newer English pieces. Then there are the collectors who love their pottery and use it all the time, but they absolutely do not care where it was made or how old it is.
The fact is, older American-made pieces sell for a premium price. It is cheaper to go to a department store that carries Wedgwood products and buy the newer pieces. The American made pieces are a diminishing resource, and these older pieces command prices that reflect the "antiques and collectibles" market. However, the good old American-made pieces are not unattainable. For example, a dinner plate usually sells on the second hand market for about $20.00.
Collectors of the old American pieces believe that the quality of the old is far superior to that of the new. The older pieces are painted entirely by hand, while the newest pieces are decorated with a decal. This makes the older pieces much more charming. The subtle differences in colors and brush strokes create a warm feeling that is lacking in the cookie cutter decal decorated pieces.
Each of the old pieces is a testament to "the good old days" when pottery making was a craft that actually employed artists. California was the birthplace of post WW2 American casual dining. Handmade Franciscan pottery was welcomed in nearly every American home including Lucy and Ricky Ricardo's New York apartment in the ever popular "I Love Lucy" show. Such widespread popularity has practically placed the pottery in our American cultural heritage.
When making a decision about collecting this pattern, use your common sense judgement to determine what is best for you. The older pieces made in California are the original. The original, vintage pieces are a little more expensive, but the supply is still good. Newer pieces look almost like the old, original pieces, but the prices for the new pieces is lower and the supply is not limited.
The pieces made in England are almost always marked "Made in England". Most American made pieces are marked "U.S.A." or "California". If a piece is unmarked, it is probably an older American made piece. Interpace, which is sometimes found on the bottom of pieces, is a parent corporation name that is associated with a number of china brands including Franciscan, Meakin, Shenango and Castleton.
Related edish Links:
Franciscan Desert Rose (USA)
Franciscan Desert Rose (England)
More about Gladding McBean (Franciscan)
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