Image ŠJames Elliot-Bishop 2008, All Rights Reserved
Image ŠJames Elliot-Bishop 2008, All Rights Reserved
| Welcome to the Franciscan Newsletter and Collectors Web Site |
The Franciscan Newsletter's web site is dedicated to the preservation of the history of Franciscan Ceramics produced in the USA by the Gladding, McBean Company, and Interpace. The two most significant plants of the Gladding, McBean Company, to collectors of Franciscan Ware, is the terra cotta division in Lincoln, California, and the dinnerware and tile division in Los Angeles also known as the Glendale plant. In 1962, Gladding, McBean merged with Lock Pipe and Joint Company. The new company International Pipe and Ceramics Corporation was later renamed Interpace derived from: |
| International Pipe and Ceramics |
| Interpace in 1976 sold the former Gladding, McBean
& Company's Lincoln plant to Pacific Coast Building Products and in 1979
sold the Franciscan Ceramics division in Los Angeles to Josiah Wedgwood
& Sons, Ltd. In 1984, the Franciscan Ceramics division in Los Angeles was closed down and production moved to England in the Johnson Brothers division of Wedgwood. Josiah Wedgwood & Sons, Ltd. would merge with Waterford becoming Waterford Wedgwood. Today, the Franciscan trademark is still in use, however collectors prefer to collect the "Made in USA" Franciscan Ware. Gladding, McBean is still in business in Lincoln, California producing sewer tile, terra cotta for architectural projects, and terra cotta garden ware. Explore the Franciscan Newsletter's web site including the Library where you will find images and information for the collector, the yahoo Discussion Group to connect with other collectors, and Advertisements where you can buy and sell Franciscan ware. For books on Franciscan and Gladding McBean see Books. |
Air Photograph of the Glendale Franciscan Ceramics Plant Formerly located at 2901 Los Feliz Avenue, Los Angeles, California Image ŠJames Elliot-Bishop 2008, All Rights Reserved |
 Gladding, McBean & Company's Lincoln, California plant. Main products produced at the plant was Terra Cotta building products, garden ware and sewer tile. Image ŠJames Elliot-Bishop 2008, All Rights Reserved |
 San Francisco Headquarters of the Gladding, McBean company. Image ŠJames Elliot-Bishop 2008, All Rights Reserved |