Antique-shop.com
Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: ironlord1963 on July 09, 2009, 09:38:53 PM
-
O.k. a Family in law member want me to help figure out the value of her collection of Fiestaware, and possible list them for sale. Just today I began my investigation into fiestaware, I have learned a bit and will be digging into the subject over the next few day. Any Hints, clues, or links that may help me on this journey. I have no pics of colors as of yet but was just ask to help, we will see, from the sounds of it they think they have a gold mine and all I see so far is maybe a copper mine :P. Anyway just thought I would ask
-
O.k. it's not a copper mine, but a Uranium mine :o. At least the early stuff is, this could be a intresting search.
-
I was just about to say uranium mine when I saw you already posted it :P
-
My wife has lots of it inherited from her Mother. From what I understand, they reissued it/some but in different colors. I don't hear much about it anymore so I don't know how the prices have held up. Some of my wife's stuff like the coffee pot is fairly rare from what I understand. I know some people used to rabidly collect the stuff...
-
A “collection” of verses an original complete “setting” of the old Fiestaware might make the difference between it being gold or uranium. ;D ;D
-
If they are original pieces $$$
Color does make a difference since some were made earlier than others. Pieces also make a difference. The larger the set, the greater the $$. And, as we all know...condition of said items makes a huge difference!
Fiesta Ware has been collectible ever since it came out. It has trends - ups and downs. But there are die hards out there and quite a lot of them willing to pay good money for originals.
-
I have some of this stuff, all in the cobalt blue. It's my everyday dinnerware. I had no idea it was even collectable. There are a couple of pieces like the pitcher that I picked up in thrift stores... I guess I ought to check the bottoms when I get home! I don't think mine are old though.
The Wikipedia page on Fiestaware has a pretty detailed history, and there are quite a few links at the bottom of the page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiesta_(dinnerware) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiesta_(dinnerware))
-
I don't know if my wife has a 'fool's gold' or a real gold mine. The colbalt blue coffee pot is bearly visable behind the ivory creamer. Lots of plates, cereral bowls, juice glasses, glasses, salad bowls, etc. It was collected by her Mother many years ago when it was free. Her Mother died in the mid '80's.
(http://i365.photobucket.com/albums/oo93/railman44/fiesta.jpg)
-
I have several cases packed in storage from when we sold a cabin we inherited in California that is original. Also inherited original Bauer (which looks like Fiesta). and the fun one is some Catalina Pottery (when Catalina Island was owned by Wrigley Gum Family and made pottery).
-
What I have learned is that they made them until 1969, these are the older ones, depending the color, red for sure has uranimun. Then in 1982 they started making them again. I have found out that most of hers are earlier then 1982, but she contiuned to collect it, so she has a mix match set, of various color. So now I have to find out more, thanks for the info, I'm going to start looking for pieces now too, amazing what is collected, I just thought they were plain ole' plates. P.S. don't eat off the early red ones.
-
the turmoil over fiesta. started about 1982. like every thing it became a craze. I would suggest e-bay as a starting point as to value.
-
Hello Ironlord!
I'm new here and pleased to make your acquaintance. I am one of those "rabid" collectors, and have considerable knowledge about vintage fiesta. I've been a collector for some 12 years, and have had vintage fiestaware in my family for 40 - 50 years. These days, Fiesta collections can indeed be quite valuable, but a lot depends on the number of pieces, the type of piece (ie plate, lunch plate, coffee cup, onion soup bowl etc.) as well as condition and color.
If you would like to send me a PM with specific information, I'm certain that I could help you to at least make a general determination about the value of your family member's collection. Something to give you a "ballpark" idea of its worth.
I'm more than happy to help if you so choose. I love, live and breath the stuff ;D
-
Thank you much Kimb, When I get all the details I will post some more. I will get some more over the next day or two. I live in Washington state, and my family is in Mo., So I won't get to physically touch them, This is all happening over a phone and the net. But I will let all know what I find out. I have read a bit on it yesterday and today, and have surfed most places these daintly little fingers take me. The crazy thing is I have ask about everybody I know, and It would seem it is just me that has never heard of Fiestaware until yesterday, just show I have a long road ahead, but it will be fun. Plus I now know of at least 6 people now who have Fiestaware, I want some of that radioactive dinnerware too ;D Thanks for all the comments and suggestions, they will be helpful, just want to help a family member out.
-
Woo-hooo! SCORE! Looks like it is old! :D
I've got one marked piece, this cobalt pitcher. I think I bought it in a thrift store somewhere. I don't even remember where it came from.
(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/Fiesta1.jpg)
(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/Fiesta2.jpg)
Here's a Web site showing the older Fiestaware mark:
http://www.writersrow.com/joyceharmon/fiesta.html (http://www.writersrow.com/joyceharmon/fiesta.html)
I have to thank you guys for posting this topic, I would never have thought that pitcher was anything but blue and kinda cute in my kitchen.
-
Found a Fiestaware price guide:
http://www.happyheidi.com/antiques/Fiesta-Price-Guide.html (http://www.happyheidi.com/antiques/Fiesta-Price-Guide.html)
Looks like my goofy little pitcher is worth about $200! Cool! ;D I never would have thought that in a million years.
-
Nice pitcher tales, I think my mum had a similar one, but it was probably newer. She used a later copy of fiestaware, the dishes were brighter than the old fiesta (with the exception of a few colors like cobalt and the reds). I think it is called Flamingo Ware, maybe same company but perhaps later? Not sure.
-
Hi Taleofsevenseas,
Glad for your find. It's always nice to find out something you just thought was "pretty" is worth a little something. And I in no way wish to steal your thunder, but just want to let you know that the value you have on it is a bit on the high side.
As an explanation, you will find wide-ranging values on vintage Fiestaware. The long and short of it is that years ago, you could find vintage Fiesta just as I think you mentioned earlier...in thrift stores. It was quite common to see pieces there. However, once Fiestaware became such a collectible (Baby Boomers growing up I think had a lot to do with it), finding it anywhere other than antiques and collectibles stores became a rarity. And, the prices and values soared. Then, along came Ebay, the great equalizer. And now, even though you may not find as much Fiestaware in the stores, you can ALWAYS find it on Ebay. And if it's not the piece you want or in the condition you'd like, just wait a bit, and it will show up.
That being said, Ebay has caused the purchase price of many pieces of Fiestaware to decrease. So, while some sources may tell you that your pitcher is worth $200, PLEASE take that with a grain of salt and know that if you ever choose to sell your piece or value it for some other reason, the actual value could be half that. I've actually paid a little less than half that amount for one of those that was in pristine condition, but then again, I'm an absolutely great bidder :).
Don't want to burst your bubble, just trying to help collectors to be truly informed. It's a very nice-looking piece!
-
T7C's - I have found that many things I think aren't worth anything....are usually the things that are! Crazy world!
-
Hi Kimb,
Thanks for that info! No worries at all, I am just thrilled that it is old and has value at all, since I was completely unaware of it until this forum topic came along. I just thought it was another piece of the 1980's - current day cobalt stuff that I've been cobbling together over the years and using as daily dinnerware. The nice thing about that cobalt is that you can pick up a piece here and a piece there and before you know it , it looks like a matching set! It's cheap and plentiful and looks great on the open shelves in my kitchen. This pitcher was the only piece of Fiestaware in about 50 pieces or so, and I don't think I paid more than a dollar or two for that pitcher. So I'm really not at all concerned about its actual monitary value. I know everything has gone down with the economy too. This was just a random bit of luck!
-
Dear Tasteofsevenseas,
That's not a random bit of luck, that's a blessing! To find a piece like that, in that good condition and just mixed in with others for a couple bucks...those are the days we collectors live for! Congratulations!
-
I want some Fiestaware :(. LOL
-
Thanks! Yeah it doesn't have any chips, cracks or crazing, which is another reason why I thought it was new. It doesn't have any signs that it is old.
-
I was toasting a bagel this morning and when I flipped over my plate... bingo! Fiestaware! Noting the rings in the design, I started digging through my plates and found a total of three- One full-size dinner plate and two saucers. I don't know how I missed these when I looked earlier. They must have been in the dishwasher or something. Pretty good way to kick of a Saturday morning.
I have a question about my Fiestaware pitcher shown above. Is it a water pitcher or a juice pitcher? I'm guessing it is a water pitcher because I don't see a cobalt juice pitcher on the price guide. http://www.happyheidi.com/antiques/Fiesta-Price-Guide.html (http://www.happyheidi.com/antiques/Fiesta-Price-Guide.html) I would guess the juice and water pitchers are different sizes?
-
Yes according to my book on Fiesta wear the Juice pitcher is smaller then the Water pitcher. It list it as 30 oz., but does not give the Oz rate of the the water pitcher.
-
I suspect I have the water pitcher, (worth less) but will have to grab a measuring cup to find out for sure.
-
Hi, i love the fiestaware and turned down a family member to buy all of hers because i had read the old stuff has lead on it. You can buy a tester to see if lead is in your dishes. So i did go out and buy one of each of the new fiestaware and (tho ex husbands has it now) for a short time it was fun decorating my table with different colors. I love the shapes and wish more things were in the styles of the 1920's-50's.
-
If I am not mistaken, it is only certain colors that have this problem. I think it was the red, right?
-
The pigment in red Fiestaware contains, among other things, uranium oxide. The Homer Laughlin China Company, which began making Fiestaware in 1936, was forced to discontinue the red version in 1943 so the uranium could be diverted to make atom bombs. Don't get too alarmed because the actual amount of radioactivity is extremely low but there is also lead in the red. If you have red you just don't want to eat high acid food continually (tomato sauces) and try and wash your dishes often - that should rectify the problem!
-
I don't know where but i'd see if google can tell you, i'd buy a kit to test the old dishes. you swab it and then it will tell you if there's lead. I saw a special on oprah about it.
-
Weeeell, since it's only three plates and a water pitcher, I guess it might not be a bad idea to retire them from service.
-
Oh i'd still have them in a china where they can be seen ...they're too cool looking to be hidden away. I miss having a china and glass cabs. even if the pitcher sat out, it's so retro :)
-
Oh I will, especially the pitcher. :) I have these open shelves in my kitchen, that are all filled with cobalt blue dinnerware. They can stay, I just will retire them from active duty. Don't want them poisoning anyone!