Franciscan Ware's Humble Beginnings--From Sewer Pipe to Fine China

Part of the fun of collecting teacups and china is knowing a little bit about the history of the company or particular pattern. Some are surprising and speak to ingenuity and resilience of the makers.

Here’s the story of the Franciscan Ware’s humble beginnings in the Great Depression.

Almost 100 years before Apple Computer, the company that would produce Franciscan Ware Apple pattern, Gladding, McBean & Co., sprang up in Lincoln, California, with headquarters in San Francisco

Gladding, McBean & Co., did not start out creating fine china company, but rather sold ceramic building supplies.  As would be expected in  California these supplies would include roof tiles, terracotta blocks and bricks, but it also sold sewer pipes.   What brought about the jump from sewer pipes and roof tiles to teapots, teacups and dinnerware? 

Gladding, McBean & Co was a going concern selling building supplies up until the time of the Great Depression, when the demand for building supplies plummeted along with stock prices.  To adapt in 1933, the company began to create earthenware dinnerware and art ware to make ends meet.  They took over a 40 acre pottery plant in Glendale, California to begin the production of dinnerware, and, like other ceramic companies in the area, they started using solid colored glazes.   Gladding, McBean & Co had three competitors in Southern California who also used solid glaze dinnerware, but all three of the competitor's dinnerware would craze when tested in an  autoclave.  To stand out from the crowd, a new patented earthenware known as Malinite was used. Malinite had been developed for use in one-fire tile.  Through the use of Malinite and using a one fire process, the company solved their own crazing problem, and saved money by not having the extra step of bisque firing.

In 1940, the Gladding, McBean & Co. started developing their first fine china line with Franciscan Apple, their first, hand-painted, embossed earthenware dinnerware line.  Desert Rose was developed next and by 1943, there were 14 patterns for the fine china market.  The china known as Franciscan Ware became an American classic.  Today Franciscan Ware is produced by Wedgwood Waterford Royal Doulton in China.  Gladding, McBean & Co. continue in Lincoln, California creating clay pottery, terracotta and pipe.

Franciscan Apple Teapot

Franciscan Apple Sugar and Creamer