ac 325 the salem china company records, 1930's …amhistory.si.edu/archives/ac0325.pdf · 325...

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For more information contact the Archives Center at [email protected] or 202-633-3270

AC

NMAH

325

THE SALEM CHINA COMPANY RECORDS, 1930's - 1981

(10.15 cubic feet; 14 DB; 5 [.5] DB, 3 F/O, 3 RB)

History

The Salem China Company of Salem, Ohio was founded in 1898 by Pat and John

McNichol, Dan Cronin and William Smith, all from East Liverpool, Ohio. It was sold to the F.A.

Sebrings of Sebring, Ohio in 1918. Until retirement in 1950, Floyd W. McKee, who had been

with the company since 1918, was the general manager. When he retired in 1950 J. Harrison

Keller, the husband of F.A. Sebring's granddaughter, Gretchen, took over the management of the

company. Harrison Keller was also president of the United States Potters Association, the

principal function of which was labor negotiations. From 1898 until 1960 the company was

engaged in both manufacturing and distribution. Since 1960, its function has been distribution

only.

In addition to the manufacture and distribution of dinnerware, novelty and souvenirware,

the Salem China Co. distributed flatware, crystal and Corningware and was the American

distributor for the James Sadler Company, English manufacturers of teapots. The company

supplemented its sales to retail outlets by heavy reliance on bank, movie, drugstore and

supermarket promotions. For example, Peoples Drug Co. used over 150,000 thirty-two piece sets

of dishes from the Salem China Co. in the 1930's with the buyer paying $2.98 for a set costing

$2.72 at the factory. During the 30's also, about 130 carloads of Salem dinnerware were used by

American Stores in Philadelphia in promotions.

At present, 1993, the president of the Salem China Co. is Gary Keller.

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Scope and Content

The collection includes records of the Salem China Company relating to administration of

the company, its sales and art department and other material relating to plant operations prior to

1960 when the company ceased manufacturing and became a distributor only. There are a number

of photographs of various promotions, Salem China patterns, factory buildings,

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Box Folder


sales staff, show rooms, etc. There is extensive advertising material of both the Salem China Co.

and of its competitors. Another series consists of

blueprints and drawings of the Salem China Company's plant and equipment. There is also a

series of bulletins issued by the Associated Industries of Cleveland from 1977 to 1981.

Series 1: General Administration, includes a history of Salem, Ohio as well as a history of

the United States pottery industry written by Floyd W. McKee, long-time manager of the Salem

China Company, after he retired. Issues of the Stylon News from 1954 to 1957 indicate the

company's interest in tile. Union materials relate to the several craft unions concerned with

organizing pottery plants. There is some generalized anti-union material.

Series 2 contains bulletins of the Associated Industries of Cleveland (AIC). These

bulletins include material of general interest to members, bulletins from the legal counsel, a

newsletter for executives, bulletins relating to the federal Occupational Safety and Health

Administration and surveys of management-employee relations, salaries and benefits and wage

settlements.

The third series consists of the Sales Department's records, including advertising

brochures, pamphlets and photographs relating to various promotions - supermarket, bank, movie,

department store - as well as those for general advertising of Salem products, the records of a

factory outlet store operated by the Salem China Company, bulletins, a notebook and other

materials directed to the sales staff.

Art Department records incorporate mats, photographs, some drawings and occasional

negatives of nearly 40 patterns of china as well as service plates and souvenir plates. The

notebooks relate to premiums, specialized ware such as children's ware, proofs, photos, half-tones

and ads.

Over 65 companies are represented in the competitors' advertising material, most of

which relates to china although there are a few tile and other manufacturers included.

With the exception of the art department notebooks, and the drawings and blueprints,

most of the collection is in good condition.

Provenance

Donated by Salem China Company Salem, Ohio, February, 1989. Transferred from the

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Division of Ceramics and Glass, 2/22/1989.

Grace M. Angle, September 1989

Revised, C. A. Orr, December 1993

AC

NMAH

325

Container List

SALEM CHINA COMPANY COLLECTION, 19 -1981

[ ]

Box Folder

Series 1: Executive and Administrative Records, 1914-1981

1 1 Minute Book, October 1914-Dec. 1936

2 Minute Book, Feb. 1937-Sept. 1939

3 Minute Book, March 1940-Sept. 1943

4 Minute Book - Special Meetings, Sept. 1939-March 1940

2 1 Minute Book, Jan. 1917-Dec. 1920

1 5 Executive Committee Minutes, Feb. 1937-Nov. 1939

2 2 Executive Committee Minutes, Sept. 1937-Oct. 1940

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3 Executive Committee Minutes, Sept. 1939-June 1940

4 Policy Committee Minutes, Dec. 1951-Dec. 1963

5 Agreements re: Bond Issues, n.d.

6 Claim for Damages Against Cooper-Garrett Trucking Company,

1979-1981

7 "Dinnerware as Premiums," by Floyd W. McKee, n.d.

8 "History of U.S. Pottery Industry," by Floyd W. McKee, 1955

3 1 Appraisal - Cole-Thayer-Trumbell Co., n.d.

2 Appraisal - West Brothers, 1946

3 Appraisal - Boston Manufacturers Mutual Insurance Company,

1953-1968

3 4 Appraisal - American Appraisal Company, 1961

5 Appraisal - Appraisers Incorporated, 1979

6 History of Salem, Ohio, 1806-1956, published 1956

7 Research Papers on Business Management, 1958-1980

8 The Romance of Your Dinnerware, published by Salem China, n.d.

9 Miscellaneous, 1975-1978

Series 2: Labor Relations, 1940-1980

4 1 Administrative Manual for Plant Employees, 1977

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2 Personnel Management (Miscellaneous), ca. 1977

3 Sebring Equipment Company, Personnel Data, 1976-1977

4 Allied Industrial Workers, 1975-1979

5 Anti-Union Materials, 1972-1980

6 International [and National] Brotherhood of Operative Potters,

1940-1962

7 International Brotherhood of Pottery and Allied Workers,

1970-1980

8 Newsclippings re: Unions, 1976-1977

9 Union Pension and Retirement Plans, 1969-1971

10 United Brick and Clay Workers of America, 1972-1976

11 United Paper Workers International, 1976-1979

12 United Rubber, Cork, Linoleum and Plastic Workers of America,

1976

13 Wage Policy and Rates (Salem), 1979-1980

14 Wage Rate Comparisons, 1979-1980

Series 3: Sales Department Records, 1930s-1988

5 1 Achievement Reports, 1963-65

2 Advertising Brochures and Price Lists, Salem

3 Bank Promotional Brochures, Crystal

4 Bank Promotional Brochures, Dinnerware

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5 Bank Promotional Brochures, Flatware

6 Bank Promotional Brochures, Goblets

7 Bank Promotional Brochures, Miscellaneous

8 Bank Promotional Brochures, Place Settings

9 Bank Promotions, Newsclippings

10 Carry Hom (Quaker China)

11 Corning Ware (Salem Advertising)

12 Correspondence, 1952-1970

13 Costs, 1978

14 Credit Store Merchandising Plan

15 Department Store Promotion

16 Factory Outlet Store, I

17 Factory Outlet Store, II

6 1 Factory Outlet Store, III

2 Federal Trade Commission Pricing Guide, 1958

3 Inter-office memos

4 Interoffice Memos re Pricing, 1935-1943

5 Marking Devices

6 Mat Service I

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7 Mat Service II

6 8 Merchandise Plan for General Merchandise Jobbers

9 Nationally Advertised Dinnerware

10 New In-stock Set Price Lists

11 Newspaper Ads in Color, 1972

12 Price Lists, 1948-1952; 1988

13 Regional Sales Manager Materials

14 Retail Brochures

7 1 Salem Collection

2 Sales Department Bulletins, 1930's

3 Sales Department Bulletins, 1940's

4 Sales Bulletins, Build-a-Set

5 Stamps

6 Sturdi-Ware

7 Swirl Ads

8 Wooden Display Stand

Notebooks:

9 1 Bank Mailings, 1968-1969

8 1 Bank Mailings, 1970

2 Bank Ad Results, 1969-1970

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Box Folder


3 Glossy Prints of Place Settings, Stainless and Crystal

4 Price Lists, Quaker China

9 2 Glossy Prints, 1940s

10 1 Photographs, 1964-1966

2 Magazine and Newspaper Ads, 1942, 1950-1951

11 1 Salesman's Notebook Containing Products, Control Forms,

Brochures, Displays, Price Lists, Guarantees, References,

Track Records

13 1 Miscellaneous Advertising Materials, Christmas Specials, Perky

Mouse, Crystal

2 Advertising Photographs, Nationally Advertised Dinnerware

3 Advertising Photographs, Sensational Success

4 Advertising Photographs, Striking New Directives

5 Miscellaneous Advertising Materials, Salem China Co.

Series 4: Promotional Photographs

12 1 Gas Station Promotions

2 Leigh Potters, Inc.

3 Movie Theater Promotions

4 Retail Store Promotions

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5 Salem China Patterns

6 Salem Factory Buildings

7 Sales Staff

8 Show Rooms

9 Supermarket Displays

10 Unidentified photographs

11 Negatives

12 Duplicate Photographs -- China Patterns

13 Duplicate Photographs -- Retail Stores

Series 5: Art Department Records

Subseries 1: Patterns

14 1 Aristocrat

2 Aristocrat Maroon

3 California

4 Cardyn

5 Carolyn

6 Century (White)

7 Ceylon

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8 Chatung

9 Claudia

10 Commodore

11 Constellation

12 Constellation (Jackstraw)

13 Coronation

14 Debutante

15 Duchess Rose

16 Geranium

17 India Pink

18 Juniper

19 Lansdowne

20 Madera

21 Melody Lane

22 Old Auto

23 Peach and Clover

24 Petit Point (Quaker Girl) 1425 Primrose

26 Princess Ann

27 Ranch Sterling

28 Ranch Style Colored Glaze

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29 Ranch Style Shape, White

30 Rose Jewel

31 Royal Rose

32 Sandra

33 Shaker Brown Lime

34 Sheffield

35 Talisman Rose

36 Tudor Rose

37 Woodhue

15 1 Woodland

2 Unidentified Patterns and Shapes

Subseries 2: Cake Sets

15 3 Carolyn

4 Tudor Rose

5 Virginia

Subseries 3: Service Plates

15 6 Carolyn

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7 Coach

8 Gardenia

15 9 Godey

10 Old Auto

11 Service Plates (Drug Store Deal)

12 Service Plates not indentified

13 Souvenirs, American

14 Virginia Service Plate

Subseries 4: Souvenir Plates

15 15 Calfornia

16 Cleveland, Ohio

17 Hartford, Connecticut

18 Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, Chicago

19 St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans

20 Virginia

21 Yosemite Falls

Subseries 5: Miscellaneous Art Department Records

16 1 Ashtrays, Souvenir

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2 Ashtrays, Victory Assortment

3 Banquet Service

4 Buffet Service

5 Child Sets

6 Decals

7 Jumbo Cup and Saucer

8 Photographs by Robert C. Hoffman

16 9 Proofsheets

10 Portraits on Victory Plates

11 Quilt (Copper Plate and Newsclipping)

12 Sets

13 Wheat Drawings for Stamps

Subseries 6: Art Department Notebooks

16 14 Assorted Premiums, Majority for Gas Station Promotions

15 Assorted Shapes, Salem China

17 1 Children's Ware, Service Plates, Salt & Peppers

2-3 Dinner Ware, Photos, Proofs and Ads

4-5 Dinner Ware, Photos, Proofs, Miscellaneous Pieces

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18 1 Folder, Stamps, Special Lettering

2-3 Halftones

4 Movie Promotions

5 Proofs, Assorted Patterns and Shapes

Series 6: Plant Operating Records

Minutes, Plant Operations Committee 1954 - January 1955

Plant and Equipment (Descriptions)

Plant Operations Committee, Inter-office memos, 1954 and N.D.

1 1 Bisque Kiln

2 Bisque Kiln Schedules

3 Correspondence, April 1963 - April 1946

1 4 Drawings, Specifications, Instructions

5 Gas Consumption

6 Inter-office Memos, Plant Operation Problems

Series 8: Blue Prints of Plant Buildings and Equipment

1&2 Blueprints and drawings

Loose material

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Advertising banners; extra large blueprints, drawings of buildings and

equipment; drawings, blue prints and proofs for brochures; labor union posters.

Series 7: Competitors' Advertising

A 1 American Commercial Inc.

2 Anchor Glass

3 B.J. Brock Co.

4 Bavarian China

5 Block China

6 Vincent Broomhall

7 Buntingware Ceramics

8 California, Miscellaneous

9 Canonsburg Pottery Co.

10 Caribe Casual

11 Castleton China

12 Continental Kilns

A 13 Cronin China Co.

14 Crooksville China Co.

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15 Flintridge China

16 Fostoria

17 Franconia

18 French Saxon

19 W. S. George Co.

E 1 Gladding and McBean

A 20 Grace China (Sigma Marketing System)

21-22 Hall China Co.

23 Hallcraft

24 Harker

25 Haviland

26 Heinrick China

27 International China Co.

28 Iroquois

29 Kilncraft

30 Edwin M. Knowles China Co.

31 H. E. Lauffer Co.

32 Homer Laughlin

33 Laurel (California)

34 Limoges

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E 2 Lenox

A 35 Linden

B 1-2 Mayer China Co.

3 Metlox Manufacturing Co.

4 Howard Miller (Clocks)

E 3 Minton

B 5 Miscellaneous

6 Miscellaneous, foreign

7 Monmouth Pottery

8 Nikko

9 Noritake

10 Paden City

E 4 Patterns in China

E 5 Pickard

B 11 Redwing

C 1 Rosenthal

2 Royal China

3 Royal Doulton

4 Royal Worcester

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5 Sabina Line

6 Sebring

7 Seth Thomas (Clocks)

8 Shapes (Miscellaneous)

9 Shapes (Square)

10 Shelley China

11 Springfield (Clocks)

12 Steubenville Pottery

C 13 Sterling China

14 Stuart Crystal

15 Thermos

D 1 Taylor, Smith and Taylor

2 Viking

3 Notebook: Walker China Catalogue

4 Wedgewood

5 Wheaton

Series 8: U. S. Potters Association, 1924-1930

F 1 Bulletins, 1924-1930

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Series 9: Tile Industry, 1944-1957

F 2 Tile, Clay for Floors and Walls, U.S.G.P.O., 1944

3 Southern Tile Contractors Association, Program for Annual

Meeting, 1955

4 Stylon News: The National Magazine for Tile Men, 1954

5 Stylon News: The National Magazine for Tile Men, 1955

6 Stylon News: The National Magazine for Tile Men, 1956, 1957

Competitors' and Suppliers' Advertising:

7 American Olean

8 Mason Color and Chemical Works

9 Oxford

10 Stylon

11 Summitville Series 10: Associated Industries of

Cleveland, 1976-1981

F 12 AIC Bulletins to Members, 1977-1980

13 AIC Bulletins from the Legal Counsel, 1977-1980

14 AIC Meeting Announcements, 1977-1980

15 AIC Miscellaneous, 1977-1979

16 AIC Newsletter, The Informed Executive, 1977-1978

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G 1 AIC Newsletter, The Informed Executive, 1979-1981

2 AIC OSHA Bulletins, 1977-1978

3 AIC Questionaires, 1977-1978

4 AIC Surveys: Management - Employee Relations, 1979-1980

5 AIC Surveys: Salaries and Benefits, 1976-1980

6 AIC Surveys: Wage Settlements, 1977-1980

Salem China Company

Things Still To Be Done:

paige Box 2 and 3 to be unfolded, flattened, identified, listed and filed

Material loose on shelf to be unrolled, flattened, unfolded and flattened, identified, listed and filed.

ac 325 the salem china company records, 1930's …amhistory.si.edu/archives/ac0325.pdf · 325...

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