c. 1900 – c. 1939
Staffordshire potteries such as Wedgwood capitalized upon the popularity of American history after the Centennial of the Revolution in 1876. Johnson Brothers’ serial pattern Historic America, introduced in 1938-39, reinvented American history through 19th-century subjects intended to appeal to the U.S. demographics of the early 20th century. Scenes were modeled closely after authentic engravings by publishers such as Currier and Ives, and subjects were chosen for how they reinforced Americans’ sense of national identity and pride.
Gallery of Images
All patterns are by Johnson Brothers unless another company name is given in parentheses. Click on an image to see an enlarged view.
- George Washington Bicentennial, c. 1932 (Spode)
- Historic America, Barnum’s Museum, c. 1938
- Historic America, Clipper Ship The Flying Cloud, c. 1938
- Historic America, Covered Wagons and the Rocky Mountains, c. 1938
- Historic America, Frozen Up, c. 1938
- Historic America, Independence Hall, c. 1938
- Historic America, Michigan Avenue, after 1938
- Historic America, St. Louis Missouri, c. 1938
- Historic America, The Capitol, c. 1938
- Historic America, View of Boston, c. 1938
- Memory Lane, c. 1965 (Royal)
- Old Blue Historical, The White House, c. 1900 (Wedgwood)