Q: I have a pitcher with this mark on the bottom. I can’t find the mark in any books and I’ve asked the museum in East Liverpool, Ohio, and the historical society there. No one seems to know anything about it. Can you help? I think it’s a missing part of our history.
A: This is a mystery. We have also been unable to find a mark like yours along with the words “Operative Pottery Co.” The mark picturing a lion and a unicorn next to a shield is based on the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom. The lion represents Britain and the unicorn represents Scotland. Variations of this mark were used by several companies in the United States and Britain. Some were located in Trenton, New Jersey, which was the center of pottery-making in the United States during the 19th century. Potters in East Liverpool organized the International Brotherhood of Operative Potters in 1890. Potters from Trenton eventually joined the union. (The union is still in existence, now called The International Brotherhood of Pottery and Allied Workers, and is part of the AFL/CIO.) Perhaps one of our readers can shed more light on this mystery mark.
The above corrected image was updated on 5/5/11.