 On May 25, 1939, J.M. Wells informed Rhead that Montgomery Wards wanted a special line with "printed American patterns." Two weeks later, Rhead went to Chicago, Illinois to meet with Montgomery Wards on the new line and other HLC wares. Later that day, he noted in his journals going to the Chicago Art Museum, Chicago Public Library, and bookstores to hunt for Currier and Ives subjects.
On June 11th and 12th, Rhead worked on Currier and Ives treatments to be used on the same shapes as Willow. After meeting with Ed Fry (buyer for Wards) the shapes and patterns were decided upon and work began on the new line on June 19, 1939. Wards offered the line, called Americana, from 1940 until 1956. Each piece has a special Currier and Ives scene with the title is printed in the backstamp in red. The official treatment number for the line was W-2553.
There were some special shapes made for American at the request of Wards, all of which were released into production on March 29, 1940. The Americana line consisted of
- Flatware from Kwaker
- Square plate - originally Century, but later Nautilus
- Sugar, creamer, sauceboat, cup, saucer - from Willow
- Sauceboat stand - modified Nautilus pickle
- Teapot, cream soup cup and liner, demitasse cup and saucer - designed forAmericana
- Casserole - Brittany with the second style, solid finial lid
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An advertisement from the 1950s describes the line as: “...the first ware of its kind to equal the distinguished
quality and soft rose-pink color of fine imported ware.
Americana has scenes taken from the finest Currier and Ives
prints - printed from copper engravings under the glaze so
they can never come off.”
A set consisting of 53 pieces could be purchased for $19.99.
Matching frosted tumblers were sold as go alongs.
"Fox Hunting" bowl |
Americana creamer |
| Americana test plates from the collection of the Fiesta® Tableware Company. |
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Americana examples along with their corresponding backstamps
9" platter |
9" platter marking |
8 ½" nappy |
8 ½" nappy marking |
9 ½" plate |
9 ½" plate marking |
10" plate |
10" plate marking |
Covered sugar and creamer |
Sugar and creamer markings |
Teacup and saucer |
Saucer marking |
Demitasse cup and saucer |
Demitasse saucer marking |
7 ¼" plate |
7 ¼" plate marking |
Oval baker |
Oval baker marking |
11 ¾" platter |
11 ¾" platter marking |
13 ⅝" platter |
13 ⅝" platter marking |
Teapot |
Teapot marking |
Casserole, top view |
Casserole, inside view |
Marking for the casserole |
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Test colors on 10" plates, dated 1939.
Americana 10" test plate in brown. |
Americana brown marking from 1939. |
Americana 10" test plate in blue. |
Americana blue marking from 1939. |
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