c. 1937–1941
Catalina / RANCHO
Script Catalina above the distinct RANCHO line.
moulded/impressed · Glazed earthenware · Glendale, California
Pottery & porcelain
Catalina pottery marks
The name “CATALINA / ISLAND” appears among Catalina pottery marks on Glazed earthenware from Santa Catalina Island, California.
- Active years
- 1927–1942
- Country
- United States
- Products
- Tableware, Art pottery, Vases, Lamps, Garden pottery, Souvenirs, Decorative and architectural tile
- Marks
- 5
Island factory 1927–1937; mainland Catalina Rancho 1937–1941 and artware through 1942. Later independent Catalina-related pottery is outside this production scope.
What to look for
- Read ISLAND, POTTERY and RANCHO carefully. The mainland successor used different branding after the 1937 sale.
- Inspect exposed clay as well as the lettering. Original island pottery includes both early red-clay and later white-clay work; white clay alone does not prove mainland manufacture.
- Compare the stamp layout and the complete shape. Moulds passed between businesses, so a familiar form alone does not identify island production.
Dated marks & timeline
5 marks
c. 1937–1942
CATALINA / C339 / POTTERY; MADE IN U.S.A.
POTTERY replaces ISLAND, with mould code C339 and a separate ink country mark.
moulded/impressed with printed country stamp · Glazed earthenware · Glendale, California
Undated
CATALINA / ISLAND
Widely spaced arched lettering differs from the compact straight-line stamp; modern shop sticker partly covers the center.
impressed · Glazed earthenware · Santa Catalina Island, California
Undated
CATALINA / ISLAND
Two separate, relatively straight lines on an exposed red-clay base.
impressed · Glazed earthenware · Santa Catalina Island, California
About Catalina pottery
Catalina Clay Products began operating on Santa Catalina Island, California, in 1927. William Wrigley Jr.’s island company developed the works to supply bricks and roofing tiles for Avalon while providing employment beyond the tourist season. Early souvenir pieces were followed by glazed tableware, vases, lamps, garden pottery and decorative tiles. The factory’s colorful products also became part of the island’s buildings and interiors.
Early pottery used local red clay. Imported white clay was introduced later, allowing a different range of surfaces and colors. The pottery developed recognizable glazes including Catalina Blue, Descanso Green, Monterey Brown and Toyon Red. Dinnerware and decorative designs reflected the Spanish Revival and Art Deco tastes of the period. Potters and decorators produced both plain colored forms and more elaborate painted pieces.
Island production ended in 1937. Gladding, McBean acquired the name, moulds and other assets and continued a Catalina range at its mainland factory in Glendale. Its marks commonly use Catalina Pottery or Catalina Rancho, sometimes with Made in U.S.A. The Rancho dinnerware line was made from 1937 to 1941; Catalina artware continued into 1942. Later pottery using related shapes or the Catalina name requires separate identification from the original island factory.
Also known as: Catalina Island Pottery · Catalinaware · Catalina Rancho · Catalina Clay Products; later Catalina lines of Gladding, McBean & Co.
Look-alikes & how to tell them apart
Weil Ware
Later mainland production used some former Catalina-related moulds. Its Weil branding, including a burro device, identifies another business.
Lucie Watkins independent pottery
Her Catalina Lucie factory work differs from later Lucie Handmade pottery. In 1950–1951 she again worked on the island; Lucie Hand Made on Catalina wording does not automatically date a piece to the 1930s factory.