Skip to main content

Franciscan Marks – Earthenware

Companies identify their products with marks. Marks are often referred to as back-stamps or bugs. These are marks used by Gladding, McBean & Co. and Interpace to identify their Franciscan earthenware products.

1934 to 1938

Collector’s nickname for this mark is the “oval GMCB mark.”

1934 to 1984

“Made in U.S.A.” in two lines, is found in three sizes,
very often without other identification. The stamp was used on items too small for larger stamps until 1984. Can be found in black, brown, and sometimes in blue ink.

1935 to 1937

The Tropico Pottery mark was used on kitchenware(mixing bowls) and art ware from April 15, 1935 to December 31,1937.

1937 to 1942

C 806 is the shape number in the Catalina Pottery line made by Gladding, McBean & Co.

1937 to 1942
1937 to 1942

Used on Rancho tableware with or without Reg. U.S. Cat. Off.

Sept. 1938 to Feb. 1939.

The first backstamp to indicate the Franciscan name was a square box: with the capital letter “F”, it was made to replace the old G.M.C.B. stamp and was used in two sizes.
Collector’s nickname for this mark is the “square F mark.

1938 to 1939
1939 to 1940

Two stamps – 2nd or RK were used on second quality ware sold in the Franciscan Shop. RK stands for Run of Kiln. This mark was replaced by using a tool to scratch the glaze over the mark which would signify the product was of second quality. Second quality wares had imperfections, usually undetectable to the human eye. Other imperfections which were obvious would be sold as thirds or scrapped.

1939

“Made in U.S.A.” in one line.

1940 to 1947
1940 to 1947
1940 to 1947
1947 to 1949
1947 to 1949

This stamp was used on hand painted earthenware only. The letter identified the day of a month, each month beginning with the letter A. The following two numbers refer to the decorator, and the last two numbers give the year. This system starĀ­ted in 1944 or 1945.

1949 to 1953

Collector’s nickname for this mark is the “half moon mark.”

This stamp was used on the child’s cup and the child’s plate, sold as special prepackage only for Apple and Desert Rose. Also used on the child’s cup (aka the chocolate mug) given to high school graduates.

1953 to 1958
1953 to 1958

The patent number (0173.657) is used on the 1811 (Eclipse shape) dinner plate only. All other shapes used this stamp without the patent number.

February 1954 to July 1958
1954 to 1956

Mark used only on Coronado.

1958 to 1960

With the expansion of the Dinnerware DiviĀ­sion in 1958, this stamp became one of a group of five more distinctive trade marks emphasizing the name Franciscan. The ink of the stamp went from black to brown ink.
Collector’s nickname for this mark and it’s variations is the “TV” or “TV screen” mark.

Late 1960

The patent number (0173.657) is used on the 1811 (Eclipse shape) dinner plate only. All other shapes and patterns used this stamp without the patent number. The copyright and registered marks were moved to below earthenware.

1961 to 1962

The patent number (0173.657) is used on the 1811 (Eclipse shape) dinner plate only. All other shapes and patterns used this stamp without the patent number. The copyright and registered marks were moved to the upper part of the stamp.

January 1963 to July 1963

Gladding, McBean & Co. removed from stamp because of the merger of 1962. OVEN SAFE / COLOR FAST in one line under the stamp was put in use January, 1963. The patent number (0173.657) is used on the 1811 (Eclipse shape) dinner plate only. All other shapes and patterns used this stamp without the patent number. The 363 is a code for 3 being the decorator’s number (decorator #3) and the last two digits (63) the year (1963).

July 1963 to July 1964

With the acceptance of the name INTERPACE as company wide identification, the stamp was changed again April, 1963 and the stamp was put in use July, 1963.

November 1963

The decorator’s number is changed to a smaller stamp to be used in addition to the Franciscan mark rather than being part of the mark. This can be found anywhere on the bottom surface and sometimes is the only mark on a small item. The ink was either brown or black. In this example, the decorator’s number is 61.

July 1964 to September 1966
1966

Earthenware made by Franciscan for J.C. Penney

1968

Earthenware made by Franciscan for J.C. Penney

September1966 to 1970
Early 1970
Late 1970
1971
1972 to 1974

The first two digits 96 were the decorators number, and the second two digits were the year 73 (1973).

Early 1974
December 1974 to 1975
1975 to 1976

Used with or without pattern name.

1975 to 1976
1976 to 1977

The two to three digit number at the bottom of the stamp is the decorator number.

1977 to 1978

Used with or without pattern name. Stamp includes the year of production (1977) in this example.

1977 to 1977

Stamp includes the year of production after Interpace (1977 in this example).

1978

Stamp is Franciscan (Registered) and (Copyright) Interpace. Made in U.S.A.

1978

Used with or without pattern name.

1978

Used with or without pattern name.

1978

Used with or without pattern name.

1978 to 1979
1978 to 1982

Used on the three piece microwave set which included a square snack plate, square baker, and oblong baker in the hand-painted embossed dinnerware lines. The number under the mark is the decorator’s number.

1979

Used with or without pattern name.

1979 to 1984

The two to three digit number at the base of the stamp is the decorator number. Collector’s nickname for this mark is the “flying F mark.”

1979 to 1984
1979 to 1984
1981
1983

Marks after 1984

Mid-late 1980s

Made in England, in mold mark.

1990s

Made in Portugal. Complimentary pieces to those made in England were made in Portugal for Desert Rose, Apple, and Ivy.

2004 -to2011

Made in China backstamp.