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I'm becoming more and more convinced that there is such a thing as "thrift karma" ... where by giving to a thrift shop, the thrift shop will give back to you. Because of the preparations for my big out-of-state move, I've been donating literally carloads of unneeded stuff to my local thrifts. And the thrifts have been thanking me with more Gordon Martz finds than I've ever had! This little platter is a fantastic earlier example of Martz's work. Thanks to Craig McCormick, one of the most prolific and knowledgeable Martz collectors I've ever been fortunate enough to become acquainted with online, I can now put a fairly specific date to these pieces.
According to Craig: The earliest dishes (1950-55) are often signed with a cipher of 'glm' or 'jm' or all upper case 'MARTZ.' In the late 1950's and through the 60's-80's, most of the signatures are handwritten script 'Martz.' Pieces from Genesis Wood & Stoneware (when the Martz's sold their interest) from 1989-92 are signed 'Marshalls' or 'Genesis'.
The clay in the early 1950's varies and is often quite a bit darker than the later clay. From 1952-54 the Martz's experimented with some local brick clay which was a dark brown. The stoneware from the late 1950's-1970's is a tan color with dark flecks. Pieces from the 1980's often have a very light clay with little or no fleck.
The third way to date trays and pressed pieces is by the texture on the bottom of trays. From 1952- early 1960's the pressed trays were pressed into a mold with a burlap or linen liner to lift the wet clay out when formed. The earlier pieces from the mid-1950's have a heavy texture and the pieces from the late 1950's-60's have a light texture. The pieces from the 1970's and 1980's have a smooth bottom and the stoneware is light with dark flecks. I think they got a new ram-press inthe mid-1960's and this is when the bottoms became smooth. (read the entire thread here on the Modish.net Forums)
The dark clay body and "Martz" handwritten signature gives a pretty clear date for this piece of the mid-1950's. Additionally, the decoration just "feels" like 50's studio pottery. The design is reminiscent of many Glidden Parker designs, whom Gordon Martz studied under at Alfred University. It is a very cool pattern, from one of my newest favorite designers!
Found on September 18, 2006 in Hopkins, MN.
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