| Search Antiqbook |
Ask a question or
Order this book
Browse our books
Search our books
Book dealer info
KENT, ROCKWELL. "Our America" Coffee Cup Designed & Illustrated by Rockwell Kent for Vernon Kilns.
Vernon Kilns, [c.1938-1940]. - Original porcelain coffee cup designed by Rockwell Kent. A beautiful 4 inch in diameter coffee cup, beautifully designed with its delicate downward angled handle, illustrated in a deep maroon on a cream background. The image depicts a riverboat anchored alongside a dock with low slung warehouse buildings. Workers look on as the ship prepares to depart, steam rising from its smokestacks. Another ship under full steam is seen from the rear having already departed. The firm's mark "Our America / Designed by Rockwell Kent / Vernon Kilns / Made in U.S.A." is stamped on the verso. Near fine. "The Founding of Vernon Kilns Pottery" -- "The Poxon China provided the setting for another pottery company which made a great impact on the American pottery scene during the period 1931 through 1958.... The man responsible for this was Faye G. Bennison, a creative patriotic man, whose love for country was demonstrated by the pottery of Vernon Kilns. The pottery is unique because of its pictorial ware commemorating events, personalities and places and particularly because much of it was designed by famous American artists such as Walt Disney, Rockwell Kent and Don Blanding. It was years ahead of its time in its graphic portrayal of America." -- Maxine Feek Nelson "Versatile Vernon Kilns", (1978), p.19."In the late 1930's Mr. Bennison went to New York to contact Rockwell Kent (1882-1971), a celebrated painter, author, lecturer and illustrator. He hired him to design dinnerware patterns which are now museum pieces. An artist of the social realist school, Kent illustrated everything from large-scale public works murals, greeting cards, magazine ads, book plates, and record album covers to dinnerware. The Kent dinnerware is considered by Kentiana collectors to be the scarcest of all. Kent, who became a controversial figure during the McCarthy investigations of the 1950's, is today honored as one of America's outstanding artists of the twentieth century.Between 1938 and 1940, Kent, working in his New York studio, designed pictorials which were to decorate three dinnerware patterns: Salamina, Moby Dick and Our America. Each piece would have Rockwell Kent's signature over the Vernon Kilns name. All the Kent patterns were transfer-print designs,.... The Kent dinnerware unfortunately was way ahead of its time and although major stores throughout the country placed large orders, about half was returned since it did not sell. consequently production was discontinued and not too much is found." -- Maxine Nelson "Versatile Vernon Kilns: An Illustrated Value Guide Book II", (1983), p.26.
Offered for US$ 150.00 by: Blue Mountain Books & Manuscripts, Ltd. - Book number: 3010
See more books from our catalog: Illustrated