| The 
                Hall China Company grew out of the aftermath of the failure of 
                the East Liverpool Pottery Company in East Liverpool, Ohio when 
                Robert Hall took full ownership of the manufacturing plant from 
                his partners in the former company as his share in the bankruptcy 
                dissolution of the company in 1903. East Liverpool Pottery Company 
                itself had been the result of a 1901 merger of 5 other local East 
                Liverpool potteries. With this asset, James Hall reincorporated 
                as the Hall China Company and first began producing china bearing 
                the Hall china trademarks. As he prepared his plans for recovery 
                of the company, James Hall died in 1904 just one year after buying 
                out his partners and taking sole ownership. Upon James Hall's 
                death, his son Robert Taggart Hall took over the company that 
                only recently had taken on his name. Interested in the manufacturing 
                process, Robert Hall along with production manager Robert Meakin 
                began experimenting with glazes seeking a compound that could 
                stand up to a higher heat during the firing process and could 
                thus resist crazing even with a single firing. Almost 10 years 
                of experimentation had not produced a successful glaze that could 
                stand up to a single-fire process, and the company floundered 
                trying to produce standard white china at a profit in the competitive 
                environment of the industrial revolution. During this time, Hall 
                  mostly sold smaller china accessories such as mugs, jugs, bed 
                  pans, and other utilitarian wares under the leadership of sales 
                  manager Francis Simmers. Dinnerware was first introduced in 
                  1908 but was only manufactured until 1914, at which time dinnerware 
                  production was suspended until later reintroduced in 1936. The 
                  company was struggling and needed some stylistic or manufacturing 
                  innovation to differentiate Hall from the proliferation of competitors 
                  small and large. It had become clear that a leadless glaze was 
                  required to achieve their objectives, for lead could not withstand 
                  the heat necessary for bisque firing. Soon after Jackson Moore 
                  took over as production manager following the retirement of 
                  Robert Meakin, Hall and Moore first had success in 1911 producing 
                  a leadless glaze, first in small quantities and subsequently 
                  in larger volumes as they learned to regulate the heat and perfect 
                  the process. The result was china that was durable and crazeproof, 
                  and it proved very popular with the public and could be offered 
                  at affordable prices due to the manufacturing efficiency.  
                 The years of World War 
                  I in Europe created business opportunities for Hall China, for 
                  the European potteries and especially the English, French, and 
                  German manufacturers that had previously dominated the American 
                  market were  no longer able to ship. Hall focused on industrial 
                  strength chinaware that could be sold to the government, restaurants, 
                  and other institutions as well as utilitarian wares such as 
                  teapots, coffee pots, and casserole dishes. The single-fire 
                  process and the durability of the resulting finish proved a 
                  huge competitive advantage to Hall as their cookware was exposed 
                  to cooks large and small. Francis Simmers became so important 
                  in the sales and marketing of Hall China that he and Robert 
                  Hall alternated the presidency of the company until Hall's death 
                  in 1920 when Simmers became sole President. Hall also grew through 
                  acquisition, buying the Goodwin Pottery Co. of New York in 1919, 
                  and soon thereafter they introduced their consumer retail teapots 
                  and other accessories with gilding and other flourishes not 
                  previously affordable to the middle class. Hall China advertising 
                  emphasized the nonabsorbent, smooth, and durable finish of their 
                  single-fire manufacturing process, coupling it with tips for 
                  owners on how to brew the perfect tea. By 1923, Hall China advertising 
                  was claiming the title for Hall as "World's Largest Manufacturer 
                  of Fireproof Cooking China." More factories soon opened, with 
                  a third plant completed in 1927 which was used to produce soda 
                  fountain jars and retail teapots and chinaware, and an entirely 
                  new factory was opened in 1930 which provided over 170,000 sq. 
                  feet of manufacturing space and enabled them to use all new 
                  equipment and subsequently close the previous 3 plants. The 
                  new plant used the latest in production line manufacturing and 
                  firing technology, gas fired and incorporating three separate 
                  kilns for different finishes. Dinnerware sets were reintroduced 
                  in 1936 after a 22 year hiatus. All of this line expansion resulted 
                  in further expansion needs in the new factory, with several 
                  additions to the building taking total square footage up to 
                  375,000 s. feet and the addition of 4 new kilns.  
                 The years of the 1930s 
                  leading up to World War II presented another set of challenges 
                  for the company, and they adapted by producing advertising "premiums" 
                  for merchants such as Grand Union, General Electric, Great American 
                  Tea Co. Standard Coffee, Hotpoint, and the Jewel Tea Company. 
                  The Autumn Leaf pattern produced for Jewel Tea and the Red Poppy 
                  pattern produced for Grand Union were two of the most popular 
                  lines Hall China ever produced, and collector interest in these 
                  patterns remains very strong. These lines were the first where 
                  Hall produced a full range of dinnerware and accessories such 
                  as salt and pepper shakers, canister sets, butter dishes, ashtrays, 
                  baking dishes, flower pots, custard dishes, cookie jars, refrigerator 
                  containers, and more. The company also adopted vibrant colors 
                  in these premium lines, especially their refrigerator jars made 
                  for GE Sears, Hotpoint, and others which had names like Cobalt, 
                  Daffodil, Sunset, and Chinese Red. After World War II, Hall 
                  engaged the services of some outside designers including most 
                  notably J. Palin Thorley and Eva Zeisel. Zeisel designs for 
                  Hall China have particular interest among collectors including 
                  Tomorrow's Classic (1949) and Century (1956). Other popular 
                  patterns from the mid-century include Blue Blossom, Blue Garden, 
                  Wildfire, Taverne, Meadow Flower, Granitone, and Rose Parade. 
                  Hall is particularly well known for their kitchenware such as 
                  teapots, which were produced in a fascinating array of styles, 
                  shapes, colors, and glazes such as Nautilus, Aladdin, and others- 
                  with some styles made in over 20 different colors. Hall China 
                  continues in operation today, having survived ups and downs 
                  over the years but still enjoying success with its restaurant 
                  and commercial grade china, still celebrated for the quality 
                  and durability of its fireproof cooking china and by numerous 
                  Hall China collecting clubs around the world.
                 Ever been fooled by 
                  a fake or a seller that didn't deliver the goods as described? 
                  At Collectics, we authenticate and stand behind everything we sell, at 
                  prices "30% below your local antique shop" according 
                  to Collectibles Guide 2010. Please browse our main Antiques 
                  & Collectibles Mall to find a treat for yourself or 
                  a great gift for others, all with free shipping. Thanks for visiting and shopping at Collectics!
 Buy
period Hall China, Metlox, Lefton, Staffordshire, Wedgwood, Limoges, and
other finer dinnerware and ceramics on the Collectics Porcelain,
Pottery
and Fine Antiques pages,
or search the entire site for great antiques, 
                  collectibles, and crafts for every collector!
                 |