Tuesday, December 23, 2008

BUFFALO POTTERY CANISTER SET

Larkin Co.
Q: My story begins like most others--with a box discovered in Mom's attic. While unpacking a carton, I found a Buffalo Pottery canister with the word "Oatmeal" on it. The bottom is stamped 1906. Not only did I find eight more canisters, but there were covers for each of them. Others were marked "Currants," "Prunes,"Raisins," "Rice," "Coffee," "Tea" and two that say "Sugar." Tell me about my treasures.

A: Your canisters are part of a "soap opera." The Larkin Co. was founded in Buffalo, N.Y., in 1875 by John D. Larkin. The company manufactured soap. One of Larkin's innovative marketing ideas was to eliminate the "middleman" and sell directly to customers. He offered merchandise premiums to encourage customers to buy more soap. As the premium business grew, Larkin made the pottery, glassware, leather, textiles, and furniture that were premiums. In 1901 the Larkin Co. founded the Buffalo Pottery Co. to make dishes and other ceramics to use as premiums and to sell in retail showrooms. In the 1920s and '30s, the pottery shifted to the manufacture of hotel and institutional ware. Larkin Soap Co. went out of business in the mid 1940s. The Buffalo Pottery trademark is still in use.
Your canister set was made in 1906, but was never listed in a Larkin catalog. There was probably also a canister marked "Flour."

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why didn't you say how much the pottery set was worth? It's the first thing Ralph would have said!!! I miss him :(

Anonymous said...

This isn't about the cannisters but about a pair of scissors marked Larkin on one side and Forged on the other side. They belonged to my mother who may have gotten them from her mother. What can you tell me about them?

Anonymous said...

I, too, REALLY dislike it when there is no pricing. There should be no coverage without pricing.

Anonymous said...

We have this same set. We were told it was the only item left from the Kretchmar side of the family. We have each of these and always learned they were brought from Germany to the U.S. Guess not! Thanks for the information, Martha

Anonymous said...

The Larkin Building in Buffalo was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Sadly, it was torn down in the 1950s.

Anonymous said...

What is the big secret about suggested value ?
We depression "kids" remember Larkin. Might be fun to know how much that stuff is worth.
Faithful Kovel Follower

Anonymous said...

it would be nice to know the $$$$$$$ of items posted, however MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone