Hull Pottery

Addis Emmet Hull, in 1901, founded and managed the Globe Stoneware Company. In 1903, his brother, J.J. Hull helped establish the Acme Pottery Company. Both companies were located in Crooksville, Ohio.

A.E. Hull sold his interest in Globe Stoneware in 1904 and began organizing the Hull Pottery also located in Crooksville, Ohio and at one time was one of the largest manufacturers of stoneware specialties. It was formed in 1905 and operated until 1985. In 1907, the Hull Company purchased Acme Pottery. Hull had many collectible lines of pottery, and its production art ware lines and dinnerware lines were some of the most popular. Its cookie jars and pig banks are equally popular and are collected by both Hull Pottery collectors and bank collectors.

During the 1920’s Hull had a full line of quality stoneware, semi-porcelain in plain and embossed shapes, decorated with bands and stamps under glaze and over glaze, art pottery both airbrushed and blended glazes. In addition, Hull produced decorated and plain florists’ pots and saucers, and garden ware and their lusterware in a rainbow of iridescent colors including orange, shammy, lavender, slate, emerald, light blue, and golden glow. Hull also manufactured toilet and kitchenware, which included saltboxes, jugs, cereal sets, nested bowls, custard cups, and food containers.

Hull’s interest had turned toward art pottery in the early 1920’s and began purchasing earthenware china and pottery from Czechoslovakia, England, Germany, Italy and France. The Stock Market Crash of 1929 ended the demand for imports.

Addis E. Hull Sr. died in 1930 and was succeed my Addis E. Hull Jr. During the 1930’s Hull began in earnest to produce larger volumes of art pottery and divided their wares in two classifications, Earthenware and Stoneware.

In 1937 the Hull Company contracted to produce pottery cosmetic containers for Shulton of New York which included Old Spice shaving mugs, and Old Spice after shave lotion, cologne, and after shave talc bottles. A.E. Hull Jr. resigned in 1937 to accept the management of The Shawnee Pottery Company located in Zanesville, Ohio. Gerald F. Watts succeed Hull Jr. in the management of the Hull firm.

From the late 1930’s through the mid-1940, Hull vases in many lines appeared in simplistic style with shapes repeated three to four times in a single pattern with size increasing each time. The early 1940’s foot long decorated piggy banks were introduced.

The Red Riding Hood cookie jar was patented June 29, 1943. Design Patent Number 135,889 was issued to Louise E. Bauer of Zanesville, Ohio, assignor to the A.E. Hull Pottery Company, Inc., of Crooksville, Ohio, for “Cookie Jar.” The initial patent expired June 29, 1957.

During WWII with growing resentment toward Japan and Germany, America produced items began to exceed those of foreign imports. “Buy American” became the watchword and retail stores began to stock Hull Pottery. Hull’s pastel tinted art wares embossed with realistic floral sprays flooded the market. Hull Pottery shapes included vases, baskets, and ewers, wall pockets and rose bowls.

Matte finishes dominated this period of art pottery however the Rosella pattern offered a high gloss coral and ivory finish. Higher costs in producing Rosella gave it a relatively short life. The high gloss was also extremely popular offered in matte shaded pastels and a transparent pink glaze.

Hull produced at least three new and different patterns each year. Many designs include Woodland, Parchment and Pine, as well as Floral. Subsequent trials in soft-bodied pastels such as Dawn Rose and Harvest Yellow could not successfully be duplicated. Woodland was produced in high gloss two tones.

Hull Lines, Patterns and Dates of Manufacture:

Novelty – Early to Mid – 1940’s,

Dogwood – Mid 1940’s,

Early Art – 1920’s,

Poppy – Mid 1940’s,

Tile – 1927 -- 1933,

Open Rose – Mid 1940’s,

Early Utility – 1920’s,

Mardi Gras/Granada – pre/post 1950’s

Utility – 1920’s – 1940’s,

Little Red Riding Hood – 1943-1957,

Calla Lily – 1938,

Piggy Banks 1943-

Sueno Tulip – 1938,

Rosella – 1946,

Orchid – 1938,

Lamps Mid – 1940’s,

Iris – Mid 1940’s

Magnolia Matte – 1946-47,

Thistle and Pinecone – 1938,

Magnolia Gloss – 1947-48,

Wildflower – Mid 1940’s

Water Lily – 1948,

Bow-Knot – 1949,

Cinderella Kitchenware – 1949,

Woodland – 1949 Gloss,

Woodland – Post 1950 Matte/ Two-Tones

Parchment & Pine – 1952-53,

Sunglow – 1952,

Kitchenware – 1950’s,

Crescent Kitchenware – Mid / Late 1950’s

Ebb Tide – 1954,

Classic – 1950’s,

Blossom Flite – 1955,

Butterfly – 1956,

Serenade – 1957,

Novelty – 1950’s

Tokay – 1958,

Tuscany – 1960,

Heritageware – 1958,

Marcrest – 1960,

Continental/Tropicana – 1959

House ‘n Garden Servingware -- 1960-70, Greenware – 1970’s