F
ew records exist from production years at
Gonder Ceramic Arts. We do however have access to a few salesman price
lists and catalog pages. These sheets and pages are shown in both previously published reference
guides. Some are found in past issues of a collector based newsletter published in the 1990's. Several items are also available at the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus,
Ohio. These lists and catalogs were used by salesmen and retailers to place orders. For
ease of ordering, pricing and manufacturing, pieces were grouped by lines of
wares - Standard, Imperial, Original, Ceramic Arts, Sovereign and La Gonda. Items within the Standard Line were grouped by size into Series. Below is an outline of
the various lines produced at Gonder Ceramic Arts.
As collectors and
dealers, it is helpful for us to use the correct line of ware in our
discussions. Being able to correctly assign the line of ware for a given piece,
adds clarity and focus to the discussions you may have with other collectors and
dealers. For example, we are more concise when we can say the H-5 vase from the
Standard Line as opposed to trying to describe the piece. As we will see when discussing value, the line of ware will have an affect on the value of the
piece.
Known lines of wares are:
Gonder also produced a line of lamp bases. Initially, lamps were assembled and marketed by Gonder. Later, a subsidiary called Elgee was started and produced lamp bases for a wholesale market. These lamp bases were then assembled and marketed under the wholesalers label.
Of interest is the fact that for the Gonder Imperial line, the
salesman sheet indicates both a description and number for each item. This is
the only line where we have insight into what Gonder named each piece! When
applicable, I will use both the name and number when discussing pieces from the
Imperial Line.
