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12 - Antique Shoppe - www.antiqueshoppefl.com
J.S. TAFT & HAMPSHIRE POTTERY COMPANY

BY LARRY LEMASTERS
LeMasters’ Antique News Service

James Scollay Taft founded the Hampshire and Taft immediately began production of several
Pottery Company in Keene, New Hampshire, in majolica pieces, including mugs, vases, tea sets,
1871. Taft’s goal was to produce the finest pottery and plates, capitalizing on the public’s craving for
of his era, and many collectors believe, in a very majolica ware. Unfortunately, many of these
short time, he achieved that goal. Hampshire Pottery majolica pieces were
In July 1871, Taft, at age 27, along with produced unmarked, so proper identification
his uncle, James Burnap, purchased of them on today’s secondary markets is often
the abandoned Milestone Mills difficult or impossible, leading to frustration
clothespin factory, located for many collectors.
on lower Main Street in Majolica finishes proved financially
Keene. The factory was successful for Hampshire Pottery,
refurbished and kilns so Taft decided to enlarge
were soon added. his decorative pottery
The area around production with other ↑ JS Taft & Co, circa late 1880s, Majolica teapot in bamboo
motif. This beautiful, five-inch tall teapot is valued at $130.
Keene supported finishes, and in 1883,
rich deposits of blue Taft installed a new
clay and white silicas, kiln for decorative In 1904, Taft hired his brother-in-law, Cadmon
which were ideal for finishes, including a Robertson, as Superintendent. Robertson, in his ten
the production of pottery. Royal Worcester-type years with Hampshire Pottery, designed over 900
Feldspar and other clay finish. new patterns and introduced matte glaze, which the
deposits were located in Taft hired a company quickly became known for. Matt glaze
nearby Troy, New Hampshire, Japanese produced dull finishes in shades of red, brown,
and kaolin was readily Hampshire ↑ artist, who blue, and green; although, most of the Hampshire
available in New decorative art taught Asian Pottery found on eBay seems to be green.
Jersey. With a steady pottery, in green decorations In 1916 Taft sold Hampshire Pottery to George
and seemingly endless matte glaze, circa, 1915, and designs Morton of Boston. Soon after, in the single
supply of local clays, that is valued at $175. to Hampshire month of May, Morton fired over 1,000 pieces of
Taft thought Keene the Pottery Hampshire Pottery, working primarily from older
perfect location for pottery manufacturing. artists. molds.
As soon as Taft erected kilns, he began turning Morton was forced to close the factory during
out flowerpots, but this early pottery proved World War I, but he reopened it
disastrous. The kilns fire could not be contained soon after the war. Finally, in
properly, and a fire ensued, which destroyed the 1923, Hampshire Pottery
old factory building. Taft immediately rebuilt his could no long compete
factory bigger and better, and in just six weeks he with new pottery
had a new two-story, 160 feet long factory ready for factories springing up
pottery manufacturing. While flowerpots remained Antique, J.S. around New England,
Taft & Co.
part of the Hampshire line of pottery, Taft quickly yellow glazed and Morton closed his
began producing molasses jugs, stoneware jugs, mug - valued factory doors forever.
crocks, butter pans, milk jugs, and other household at $90. → Collectors, especially
items. Nearly all of this pottery was produced in novice collectors, have
salt or brown glazes. difficulty recognizing
Around 1878 a majolica finish, with rich brown Beautiful, Hampshire Pottery genuine Hampshire Pottery
bulbous vase that was offered
and green glazes, was introduced to Hampshire online (Dalton’s American since most of the company’s
Pottery when Tom Stanley joined the company. Decorative Arts) for $950.→ earliest pieces were unmarked.
Originally from England, Although there are many marks
Stanley brought new design Asian design was consider chic associated with later pieces, one of the
and firing ideas, including decorating in the late 1800s, especially most prominently found marks is “James
majolica with him. throughout Victorian England, and this pottery line S. Taft, & Co., Keene, N.H.”
Majolica pottery was was quite successful.
enjoying a popular About this same time, Taft hired Wallace King For more information on this famous and
waive of success to manage Hampshire Pottery’s new, artistic influential pottery, try
in the late 1800s, department. Hampshire Pottery began to produce finding a copy of Joan
lines of specialty pottery in new patterns and Pappas and Harold
HAMPSHIRE designs, including vases, tea sets, pitchers, ash Kendall’s Hampshire
POTTERY trays, chocolate sets, salad sets, and cracker jars. Pottery manufactured by
MANUFACTURED King also introduced Hampshire Pottery to J.S. Taft & Company Keene,
BY J.S. Taft & Co., New Hampshire, copyright
Keene, New “souvenir pieces,” which were pottery pieces
Hampshire by decorated with transfer art, made from photographs 1971. This book presents
Joan Pappas that were taken around the United States at popular an interesting history of the
and Harold tourist attractions. Souvenir pieces were expensive company along with many
Kendall. color plates of outstanding
Offered on to produce, requiring as many as five separate Hampshire Pottery pieces.
eBay for $25. firings to complete one piece.