The Real McCoy

In 1910, J.W. McCoy formed a company in Roseville, Ohio with his son Nelson McCoy. The Nelson McCoy Sanitary Stoneware Company lasted through most of the twentieth century. McCoy hired artisans to to experiment with new and blended glazes.

Early designs by Walter Bauer reflected nature in the form of leaves and berries, and coloration was typically earth tone with browns, greens and creamy whites. In 1933, the company changed its name to the Nelson McCoy Pottery Company. The 1930s designs introduced some of McCoy's best known work beyond the floral themes of Walter Bauer, producing charming planters such as The Wishing Well, The Hunting Dog, and Down By the Old Mill Stream. Cookie jars, such as the original "Mammy" design, were produced in between 1940 and 1960 and remain extremely popular with collectors today.

In the 1960's, McCoy went into decline as cheaper overseas imports made profit increasingly difficult. McCoy was first sold to The Mount Clemens Pottery Company in 1967 and later to the Lancaster Colony Corporation in 1974, and all further production ceased in 1990 and the company went out of business.

WT surprised me with this old metal medical cabinet about 15 years ago. He brought it home from a hospital auction and it was a tad on the dented and rusty side. I had it painted with the electrolysis method, and  replaced the knobs. It's perfect for displaying my vintage matte white pottery. I like to keep an eye out for McCoy at garage sales and flea markets. It’s especially thrilling to find apiece that’s been in someone’s garage or basement for years with dirt still in it, for a dollar or two!