McCoy: American Art Pottery & Stoneware from Roseville, Ohio

McCoy pottery is one of the most recognized names in American ceramics, produced by two related but distinct companies in Roseville, Ohio, over more than a century. The Nelson McCoy Pottery Company (founded 1910) and the earlier J.W. McCoy Pottery (founded 1899, later becoming Brush-McCoy and then Brush Pottery) created an enormous range of stoneware, artware, cookie jars, planters, and decorative ceramics. McCoy's colorful glazes, imaginative forms, and affordable price points have made it a cornerstone of American pottery collecting.

History and Companies

Understanding McCoy requires distinguishing between the two family operations:

• J.W. McCoy Pottery (1899-1911): Founded by James W. McCoy. Produced art pottery lines including Loy-Nel-Art and Olympia. Merged with other interests to become Brush-McCoy Pottery in 1911, then simply Brush Pottery in 1925.
• Nelson McCoy Pottery (1910-1990): Founded by Nelson McCoy, James's son. This is the company most collectors mean when they say "McCoy." Produced the famous cookie jars, planters, vases, and dinnerware. Sold to Lancaster Colony in 1974, then to Designer Accents in 1985. Closed in 1990.

Identification and Marks

McCoy marks evolved considerably over the decades:

• 1910s-1930s: Often unmarked, or with an impressed "M" or shield mark. Some pieces marked "NM" or "McCoy" in block letters.
• 1940s-1960s: "McCoy" impressed in the base, sometimes with "USA" beneath. This is the most commonly encountered mark.
• 1960s-1980s: "McCoy USA" or "McCoy LCC" (Lancaster Colony Corporation) impressed marks.
• Warning: The mark "McCoy" in a circle with a kangaroo or similar device is a modern import -- NOT authentic McCoy pottery.

Popular Lines and Forms

• Cookie jars: McCoy's most famous product. The Mammy, Bear, Touring Car, Woodsy Owl, and Hobby Horse are among the most collected. Over 200 cookie jar designs were produced.
• Planters: Figural planters in the shapes of animals, wagons, shoes, and novelty forms. Produced in huge quantities from the 1940s through 1970s.
• Artware vases: Butterfly, Blossom Time, and Antique Curio lines from the 1940s-1950s feature sophisticated glazes.
• Stoneware: Early utilitarian stoneware crocks, jugs, and churns from the 1910s-1920s.
• Dinnerware: Suburbia, Graystone, and other lines from the 1960s-1970s.

Auction Price Ranges

Condition Factors

• Glaze condition: Cold-paint decoration (unfired paint applied over glaze) is common on McCoy and wears easily. Pieces retaining original cold paint are worth significantly more.
• Chips: Base chips are tolerable on common pieces but reduce value on cookie jars and display items. Rim chips are more damaging to value.
• Crazing: Light crazing is common and generally accepted. Heavy crazing with staining is a negative.
• Cookie jar lids: Missing or replaced lids reduce cookie jar values by 50-70%. Original lids should match in glaze color and show consistent wear.

Collecting Tips

• Learn to distinguish Nelson McCoy from Brush-McCoy and from modern imports marked "McCoy." The imported pieces are typically lighter in weight with cruder detail.
• Cookie jars remain the hottest McCoy category, driven by crossover interest from cookie jar collectors. The Mammy jar is politically sensitive but historically significant and consistently commands strong prices.
• Early J.W. McCoy art pottery lines (Loy-Nel-Art, Olympia) are underappreciated and represent good value relative to comparable Roseville or Weller pieces.
• McCoy's enormous production means common pieces are truly common. Focus on unusual glazes, rare forms, and pieces in exceptional condition.
• The standard reference is Sharon and Bob Huxford's "The Collector's Encyclopedia of McCoy Pottery," essential for identifying forms and production dates.