Think you know everything there is to know about Roseville Pottery? It’s often the details that get lost in our minds. For instance, did you know Roseville Pottery’s first line was Rozane? And did you know it was developed to keep pace with two competing lines, Weller’s Louwelsa and Owen Pottery’s Utopian?
Roseville Pottery, based out of Zanesville, Ohio, had to compete with at least twelve more American art potteries within 
Zanesville. Still, its business model, ability to recruit some of the best known artists and commitment to quality was the driving force behind its reputation.
Roseville Pottery’s incorporation papers were filed in Zanesville on January 4, 1892. Among those signing them were J.F. Weaver, Thomas Brown, G. Young, Charles Allison and L Kildow. A depression during the 1890s resulted in Roseville Pottery being forced out of business.
As it was seeking to regroup, the company decided to put its wares in A&P grocery stores – it proved quite successful, too.
These days, we’re accustomed to marketing efforts by companies via Facebook and email. While technological opportunities didn’t exist during Roseville Pottery’s heyday, it did have a familiar marketing plan. A brochure from 1905 offered customers a free Rozane paperweight that would be a part of a customer’s first shipment – but only if the customer provided at least three names of friends, neighbors and family members. There is one interesting statement in this particular ad that states the company only wanted those prospects “whose purses might permit them to purchase Rozane”. That’s not common in today’s contemporary ads. We never hear a salesman say, “Give me the names of those whose credit can pass”.
Sometimes, a trip down memory lane is all that’s needed to remind us why we appreciate the beautiful American art pottery that was so carefully created more than one one hundred years ago. With the rich history serving as the foundation, Roseville Pottery provides a truly inspirational story.
Leave a comment