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From Brickyard To Ceramic Pottery Excellence: The Trail of
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."
In 1912, Edmund Haeger introduced the first Haeger glazed
ceramic products. The Haeger glaze is famous and
unmistakable to the experienced eye. Otherwise unmarked
pieces can be identified as Haeger by the characteristic
combination of color and finish that was popular in each
decade of Haeger production. For example, items from the
1950~s are pink or lime green while items from the 1970~s
are orange and brown. The introductory line of glazed art
ware became so popular that by 1920, better department
stores across the country were selling Haeger products and
factory output tripled.
Haeger Potteries scored a marketing coupe when the company
participated in the 1934 Chicago World~s Fair, also known
as Century of Progress. For the yearlong exposition, Edmund
Haeger exhibited a complete ceramic works that
demonstrated both current and southwest Native American
pottery techniques. Over four million people were
introduced to Haeger products during the fair.
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.
What makes Haeger pottery so collectible now, even after
thousands and thousands of pieces were merely used to hold
flower arrangements? While the common pieces do not hold
much value on the secondary market, several of the finer and
unique vases and figurines are very collectible and
considered antiques. Many of the better antique pieces sell
for hundreds of dollars and sought by devoted 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.
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