Cause A Frockus

Beginner’s guide to Pfaltzgraff

Jan 13, 2016 | by Becky Oeltjenbruns

I fell in love with it the moment I saw it – then I picked it up, felt the smooth texture, appreciated the craftsmanship and the color, and there was that familiar feeling: joy. Every collector knows it – it happens right when you spy your new favorite thing! This little bud vase was the first treasure I found on my recent trip to the Austin Antique Mall.

Because it was so sturdy, so wonderfully constructed I wasn’t surprised when I flipped it over and saw the Pfaltzgraff marking on the bottom. My small beauty is the inspiration behind this week’s post – a beginner’s guide to Pfaltzgraff. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments, but let’s start our journey with a trip back in time…

The history of Pfaltzgraff

You may have already guessed based on the name, but this company’s roots go back to Germany – to one man in particular: Johann George Pfaltzgraff. Johann had a singular passion: pottery. (Well, I’m sure he had more than one – I’m going to guess cheese and sunshine-filled days fit in there somewhere as well, but I digress). He learned his craft and became quite good at it, but Germany proved to be a tough country to get a toehold into the pottery industry. Germany’s loss was America’s gain.

In the early 1800s Johann and his wife came to the East Coast, bolstered by the success of relatives who had previously immigrated, finding profit and satisfaction in the same profession (must be something in the genes!). For several years the family worked side by side, in the same neighborhood.

But in 1839, Johann branched out and moved his growing company to Freystown, Pennsylvania. Despite the relocation, it remained very much a family affair – all of Johann’s kids helped out (five of them would go on to continue as apprentices and master the trade). This family clearly found their calling.

Nearly a decade later the company was sold to Johann’s nephew, Henry Miller (keeping it in the family, naturally). I must mention that up to this point, historians haven’t been able to put their hands on an abundance of samples from the early days of Pfaltzgraff. Herculean efforts have been pursued, but it’s always tough to dig into the past (just cite any Indiana Jones movie for reference!).

Possible snakes and large ominous rocks aside, some artifacts have been unearthed. However, the earliest known complete and clearly identifiable pieces come from Johann’s son, John B. Pfaltzgraff. These pieces date to the mid-1800s. You can find out more and see some great pics of a collection called – yep – Lady Killer, here.

For collectors starting out, here is a great summary of tips and tricks.

Dear reader, in case you’re thinking that this is a company sustained by nepotism and void of creativity, fresh voices, and ideas – think again. Just because it was all in the family didn’t mean anyone rested on their laurels. Pfaltzgraff, even in the early days, positioned itself as a nimble company – not afraid to shift manufacturing techniques and materials to evolve alongside major economic and social developments. Enter the Industrial Revolution (no big deal, such a minor flutter, right?) Wrong! Think of this as Shark Tank: The Early Days. Companies grew and went bankrupt at the mercy of new machines, new processes, and new ideas. Pfaltzgraff was on the side that rode the wave rather than tried to swim against it and that’s why we are still talking about them today.

Quick tips on dating Pfaltzgraff pieces can be found here.

1894 was a very important year for the boys and girls of York County because this marks the date that the first factory opened its doors. This plant was revolutionary for its time – making creativity efficient. The recipe worked because a mere calendar year later an even bigger factory was built nearby. Before the decade had come and gone a corporate campus was buzzing along. To think this entire empire was built by one family is pretty incredible – read more details about Pfaltzgraff history on their website.

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We’d like to thank the awesome Amy at Vintage Virtue  & Lori Lapierre of eHow for writing such helpful posts on the matter.

Do you have a favorite Pfaltzgraff pattern? Tell us all about it! Want to learn more and become your own expert? May we recommend this read – Pfaltzgraff: America’s Potter

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