As a long-time antique collector and expert specializing in early 20th century American Art Pottery, I‘ve watched interest in and values for vintage McCoy Pottery climb steadily over the past two decades. While most McCoy pieces were mass-produced and remain readily available for under $100, truly rare and one-of-a-kind items have skyrocketed in value, with auction prices topping $10,000 in some cases.
Whether you‘re a new collector looking to start a McCoy collection or a seasoned pro hoping to take your holdings to the next level, this in-depth guide will cover everything you need to know, including:
- Key moments in the McCoy Pottery Company‘s history
- Understanding what makes McCoy pieces rare and valuable
- Most sought-after McCoy lines and forms with sample values
- How to identify and value your McCoy pottery
- Tips for savvy buying and building a top-tier collection
By the end, you‘ll be well-equipped to navigate the market and strategically grow your assortment. Let‘s dive in!
A Brief History of the McCoy Pottery Company
From its humble beginnings in 1899, the Nelson McCoy Sanitary and Stoneware Company (later known as the Nelson McCoy Pottery Company) grew into one of the most prolific producers of decorative and utilitarian ceramics in the United States.
Key milestones in the company‘s history include:
- 1910: J.W. McCoy, Nelson‘s father, becomes partner and company incorporates as the Nelson McCoy Sanitary and Stoneware Company
- 1933: Nelson McCoy passes away and his son, Nelson McCoy Jr., takes over leadership
- 1940s-1950s: McCoy‘s whimsical cookie jars, planters, and vases hit mainstream success
- 1967: Company changes name to Nelson McCoy Pottery Company
- 1974: Operations move to Zanesville, Ohio
- 1981: Company acquires rival Brush Pottery
- 1985: Nelson McCoy Pottery ceases production
- 1990: Lancaster Colony Corporation acquires McCoy brand and molds
- 2006: Designer Matthew Metz reopens Nelson McCoy Pottery in Zanesville, Ohio producing limited edition collectibles
At its peak in the 1940s and 1950s, McCoy Pottery employed over 500 workers and produced millions of pieces per year that were sold in five-and-dime stores, gift shops, florists, and direct to consumers through catalogs and premium offers.
What Makes McCoy Pottery Valuable?
Like most antiques and collectibles, McCoy Pottery‘s value is determined by an array of factors, from age and rarity to condition and artistic merit. In general, the most valuable McCoy pieces have one or more of the following qualities:
Rarity
Limited edition pieces, experimental designs, and one-off samples that never went into full production are among the rarest and most valuable McCoy pottery. For example, the Ball-shaped "Ice Lip" Pitcher, designed by Herman Volz in the 1940s, is so rare that only a handful are known to exist. One sold at auction in 2019 for $9,000.
Age
All else equal, older McCoy pieces from the early 20th century tend to be more valuable than later examples. Pieces from the 1910s through the 1940s, considered the company‘s heyday, are most prized by collectors. However, some 1950s and 1960s designs have gained renewed popularity with the Mid-century Modern revival.
Condition
McCoy pieces that are in pristine, original condition with no cracks, crazing, chips, or repairs will always command higher prices than damaged pieces. Having the original paper label intact can also boost value by 10-25%.
Glazes and Colors
McCoy‘s signature glazes varied widely throughout the decades. In general, pieces with vibrant, multi-color drip glazes or hand-painted designs are more valuable than solid colors. Matte pastel pieces from the 1920s and high-gloss brights from the 1940s-1960s are especially popular.
Motifs and Themes
McCoy designs often reflected the pop culture trends and interests of the time. Some of the most valuable motifs and themes include:
- Art Deco/geometric shapes (1920s-1930s)
- Farm and country scenes (1940s)
- Roosters, chicks, and other barnyard animals (1940s-1950s)
- Florals and nature motifs (1940s-1950s)
- Nursery rhyme/fairytale characters (1940s-1950s)
- Atomic/space age shapes (1950s-1960s)
Maker‘s Marks
While not always present, McCoy‘s maker‘s marks help date and authenticate pieces. Some of the most commonly seen marks include:
| Mark | Dates Used |
|---|---|
| McCoy (block letters) | 1920s-1940s |
| McCoy USA | 1940s-1960s |
| McCoy (script letters) | 1970s |
Pieces with rare or unusual maker‘s marks, like the Brush Pottery lines McCoy acquired, are also sought after.
Most Valuable McCoy Pottery
To give you a sense of the upper echelon of McCoy Pottery values, here are some of the highest auction prices achieved in recent years:
| Piece | Year Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|
| "Rebecca at the Well" figure | 2021 | $9,750 |
| Ball-shaped "Ice Lip" pitcher | 2019 | $9,000 |
| "Monkey Drinking Cup" cookie jar | 2020 | $8,000 |
| Oxblood Art Deco panel vase | 2017 | $7,000 |
| "Butterfly Handles" cheese dome | 2014 | $5,000 |
Of course, these are the rarest of the rare. More attainable pieces that are still quite valuable ($200-$1,000) include:
- Little Red Riding Hood cookie jar (1950s)
- Mammy with cauliflower cookie jar (1940s)
- Green Windowpane vase (1940s)
- Stagecoach scenic bud vase (1950s)
- Rooster on Basket cookie jar (1940s)
Identifying and Valuing Your McCoy Pottery
Properly identifying and valuing your McCoy Pottery is key to making smart buying and selling decisions. Here are the steps I recommend:
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Consult multiple price guides: Check values in printed guides like Warman‘s McCoy Pottery as well as online price databases that aggregate recent auction results, like WorthPoint and TIAS.
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Get hands-on: Whenever possible, examine pieces in person to assess condition, size, weight, and other markers that photos can obscure. Some fakes can appear correct in photos but lack McCoy‘s level of artistry and heft in person.
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Look for signs of age: Crazing, light wear to paint/glaze, and a duller luster are all signs of age. Beware of pieces that look brand new for their supposed era.
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Consider the market: Values can vary significantly between regions, venues, and times of year. An item that struggles to sell for $50 at a rural flea market could command $200 in a big city antique mall or $500+ in a well-publicized online auction.
McCoy Pottery Q&A
To wrap up, here are answers to some common questions I hear from McCoy Pottery collectors:
Q: Is all old McCoy Pottery marked?
A: No, some vintage pieces lack identifying marks, especially early primitive ware and limited samples. Unmarked pieces can still be attributed to McCoy based on glaze, clay color, shape, and other known patterns.
Q: How can I tell if a McCoy piece is fake?
A: Common signs of a fake include a lack of heft/solid feel, sloppily applied/overly shiny glaze, and blurred details on sculpted elements. Also beware of pieces with a distinct seam up the back, a feature rarely seen on authentic vintage McCoy.
Q: Are pieces with damage worth owning?
A: It depends on your budget, patience, and goals. If you‘re just starting out or looking for "placeholders" until you can afford pristine items, buying pieces with minor damage can be a way to affordably study a form or line. But condition is key to resale value, so be prepared to upgrade when you can.
Q: What‘s driving McCoy Pottery prices?
A: Scarcity combined with the popularity of Farmhouse, Cottagecore, and Mid-century Modern decor. These vintage-inspired styles have led to a whole new generation seeking out McCoy pieces. Savvy collectors are realizing it‘s an opportune time to upgrade their holdings before the best pieces disappear into private collections.
I hope this guide has given you a solid foundation for identifying, valuing, and strategically collecting rare McCoy Pottery. Whether you‘re drawn to the primitive charm of the 1910s and 1920s pieces or the space age flair of the 1950s and 1960s, there are plentiful opportunities to build a top-notch assortment that will only appreciate over time.
Happy hunting!
Mark Williams is a respected antique dealer and nationally recognized expert on early 20th century American Art Pottery. He has authored three collector‘s guides and appeared as an appraiser on PBS‘s Antiques Roadshow.
