Aux Art

www.auxart.com

Collectible Haeger Pottery - A Marketing Success Story
by George Coggle
http://www.fgcollectible.com

Haeger Potteries of Dundee, Illinois proudly celebrated its
125th anniversary in 1996. Beginning in 1871 David Haeger,
a German immigrant, manufactured bricks and tiles under
the name Dundee Brickyard in Dundee, Illinois, approximately
45 miles from Chicago. 1871 was also the year of the Great
Chicago Fire that destroyed approximately 17,500 buildings
in the city. Dundee Brickyard prospered as the bricks and
roof tiles supplied the reconstruction of Chicago for about
25 years.

After David~s death in 1900, his sons expanded the product
line to include red clay pots that were sold to florists.
On July 16, 1919, son Edmund purchased the pottery division
and named his company Haeger Potteries. Haeger vases
have been a popular staple of the floral industry ever
since. For decades the Haeger name has been applied to a
large collection of planters, vases, figurines,
candleholders, bowls, urns, ashtrays, bookends, and lamps.
According to the 1996 125th anniversary product catalog,
Haeger Potteries "produce the most collected accessories
for the home - destined to continue into the 21st Century
and beyond."

Ever since Edmund introduced specially glazed ceramic
products in 1912, the Haeger glaze has become a famous
trademark distinction. Even though Haeger Potteries does
not always carry a stamped or engraved marking, its pottery
is distinguishable by each decade's extremely characteristic
mixture of color and finish. In the 1950s for example, pink
or lime green was Haeger's distinct coloring. During the
1970s, orange and brown identified Haeger Potteries.
Starting in the 1920s, upper-class department stores sold
Haegar products, which tripled factory output.

During the yearlong 1934 Chicago World's Fair (also known as
Century of Progress), Haegar Potteries' complete ceramic
works of southwestern Native American pottery techniques and
that era's flavor were on display. Haeger's reputation grew
as over 4 million visitors saw their wonderful exhibit.

Even though ownership has traded hands over time, the family
name remains tied to the original owner. In 1938, Joseph
Estes (son-in-law of Edmund) became management leader and
then, upon Edmund's passing in 1971, took over as company
president. Later, when Joseph passed away in 1979, his
daughter Alexandra Haeger Estes became president.
To this day, Alexandra still holds the role of president of
the entire corporation, now called Haeger Industries.

Old Haeger pottery pieces are collectible today. The
company has produced tens of thousands of pieces over the
years and some filled the florists~ needs for ordinary
flower vases. Needless to say, such common pieces are
not valuable on the secondary market. However, Haeger
Potteries has produced a large number of unique and
artistic vases and figurines. These finer pieces are
now worth hundreds of dollars in the antique market and
are prized by ardent collectors.

>From the grand vision of one man's desire to introduce
glazed ceramic pottery out of his father's brickyard, Edmund
Haeger went on to create an enthusiastic market for his
products. These quality goods, new or antique, are still on
the market today and sold around the nation.

Submit An Article

Get Exposure For Your Site! Advertise with us.
Click Here For Details on a Great Deal!

Would you like more information on art?
Sign up here for our mailing list. You will get great information before it becomes available on our website!