The TV Lamp Collectors Blog

The community of pottery collectors has lost a true friend, as Charlene Korcz passed away on October 4th following her fight with cancer. Char was a knowledgeable and enthusiastic historian, particularly regarding the products of Haeger Potteries. She traveled from her home in Carpentersville, Illinois to Texas in 2006 for the Texans Inc. Reunion, and my family and I had the pleasure of visiting her this past summer for a tour of the Haeger facility. Char was a dear friend, and will be missed.

These fish TV lamps are familiar to many collectors, but I wonder how many know that they were made by two different potteries?

Before I delve into their differences, I want to identify the sources of these two “2 fish” TV lamps. The brown one was made by Texans Incorporated, the lamp company in Bangs, Texas. But it should be said that it is not one of the Howard Kron designs… those came later. The gray and maroon example was produced at American Art Potteries in Morton, Illinois. I am confident in the attribution of both, as the Texans lamp has been identified by former employees and the AAP version is often found with their foil label.

So how do they differ? The most obvious thing is the number of “waves” on the base, as the AAP version has more, and smaller, waves than the Texans version. The glazes are also a good identifier, as the Texans fish are typically found in a single color with a lighter drip over-glaze. AAP on the other hand, seems to have always gone with two-tone schemes, some quite attractive and others, well… not so attractive! (more…)

Lane & Co. Panther (1959), #150168864706.
Chalkware Oriental Lady, #290168111454.
Lane & Co. “3 Cats”, #220157603352.
Gonder/Bradley Horse Head, #170156354825.
Ornamental Arts & Crafts
“Hunting Deer”, #270173204947.
McCoy Panther (chartreuse), #260167471893.
Phil-Mar Panther, #140164809421.
Maddux Rooster (brown finish), #290166984667.

Here’s one that will have the hard-core collectors salivating! Big, rare and bold, this 3-Horse TV lamp by Texans Incorporated is one of Howard Kron’s most memorable designs. Said to be damage-free by the seller, it is auction #190158702007.

…and don’t forget, the 3rd Annual Texans Incorporated Reunion will be held in Bangs, Texas on November 10th!