Abingdon Pottery Collectors Club
Abingdon, Illinois 61410
Pottery Show & Flea Market
For Dealer Information contact:
Abingdon Pottery Scrapbook
The late Jesse Wright's Abingdon Pottery
Scrapbook will be on sale at the Pottery Show on August 17th at Hedding Grade School. The
book contains magazine advertisements, newspaper clippings and old photos of Abingdon Pottery.
The Scrapbook may also be purchased by calling Marie Olinger at her home, {309}462-2509.
For more details on the Abingdon Pottery Collectors Club, go to
"Cookie Jar" web site below!
>Twenty-seven years ago, Marie Olinger and some like-minded individules who were interested in collecting Abingdon Art Pottery banded together to form the Abingdon Pottery Collectors. On August 17, the group presented Olinger with a certificate which reads, in part, "in recognition of her insight to organize the Abingdon Pottery Collectors in 1977.
Olinger said that she "couldn't have started the organization unless there had been a lot of other people interested."
The group held it's first show at the Abingdon American Legion on Oct. 14 and 15, 1977. Paul Cuba was the president, and Robert Rush served as vice-president. Margaret Atkins and Robert Gustus were the secretary and treasurer, respectively. John and Edith Lewis were the club historians, Marie Olinger was correspondent, and Lovi Bond was the reporter. The first dues-paying member to join the club was George Hatch.
Over the years, Olinger has collected several volumes of newspaper clippings and advertisements. Some came from trade journals and some from publications like Better Homes and Gardens, in which Abingdon Pottery was advertised. She also has collected and extensive photo library showing displays, kilns, production lines and pieces of Abingdon art pottery. Olinger even has press clippings that announce the company's decision to discontinue their line of art pottery.
Recently, her collection was carefully reproduced in book form to make a comprehensive compendium of Abingdon Pottery information. Only 40 of the books, entitled "Abingdon Art Pottery 1934 - 1950," were printed. A few copies are still available for anyone interested in Abingdon history or in Abingdon Art Pottery. The books sell for $45 and are available from Marie Olinger. Books may also be shipped for an additional $8 fee.
The Abingdon Art Pottery line was manufactured from 1934 until 1950. Pieces have been found as far away as Austrlia. As time passes, these collectors' pieces become more valuable. Many collectors now prize commonplace items such as ashtrays and serving dishes. Even sample items and some "errors" have found their way into collections. Abingdon Art Pottery is prized more today than ever.
Tuesday, July 25, 2003 14:35:04 AM