Vintage McCoy Pottery

I grew up with McCoy pottery. My mom was a collector, and when we were at rummage sales, and auctions, we were always looking for the McCoy mark on planters, vases, cookie jars and jug. The Nelson McCoy mark didn't start till 1929, and the McCoy Sanitary and Stoneware Co had been around since 1910. Unmarked pottery that was the 'real McCoy' was even harder to come across. Other competitors such as Belleek Pottery compete with McCoy pottery.

In 1910, Nelson McCoy and his father started The McCoy Santitary and Stoneware Co start in Ohio. They mined the clay and made the pottery. They expanded to form the American Clay Products Co, and a long with other pottery manufactures, made jars, crocks and other stonewares from 1918 until 1926 under the name ACPC.

In 1929, they returned to the McCoy name, shortening it to Nelson McCoy Pottery Co in 1933.During this time, the pottery was marked by both the McCoy name, as well as the prominent motif of berries and leaves. The glazes were mostly green and brown, since they were the least expensive.

In 1967, Nelson McCoy Pottery Co was sold to Mt. Clemens Pottery Co., then again in 1985 to Designer Accents. The final pieces of McCoy Pottery were made in the late eighties, early nineties, when Designer Accents closed shop in 1991.

Today, many people collect rare, vintage McCoy pottery, usually bowls, vases, cups, teapots and other collectibles.Prices vary significantly because it`s sometimes hard to distinguish authentic McCoy pottery from imititations. Look for antique McCoy Pottery for sale on eBay.

McCoy is a brand of pottery that is not related to the famous Hatfield/McCoy feud. Vintage McCoy pottery dates back to the practical stoneware that was first produced in 1910. They company also bought, sold, and mined clay. In 1918, the Nelson McCoy Sanitary and Stoneware Company located in Roseville, Ohio merged with eleven other stoneware potteries and became the American Clay Products Company. This large conglomerate purposely had no trademark, but they did have sales catalogs and salesman who took orders.

When the ACPC was liquidated in 1926, the members were able to work independently from one another. By this time, the demand for practical stoneware was decreasing. Thus Nelson McCoy Sanitary and Stoneware Co. became marking their wares. In 1933, there was an increased interest in decorative pieces so once again the name changed to Nelson McCoy Pottery Co.

This company remained in tact until 1967 when it was sold to Mount Clemens Pottery Co. Vintage McCoy Pottery has become quite popular with collectors. Items offer a wide range of styles, sizes, and colors. Once you start looking, it is difficult to stop with just one 'real' McCoy!