How To Value Mccoy Pottery?

McCoy pottery has a long and significant history in the field of ceramic production. The company was founded in 1848 as McCoy Pottery in Roseville, Ohio by J.W. McCoy. It operated under various names over the years including Brush-McCoy and Nelson McCoy before closing down in 1990 after over 140 years of production.

Throughout its history, McCoy produced a wide variety of pottery and stoneware pieces that were popular with American families. Their products included art pottery, kitchenware, flower pots, cookie jars, and more. Many of their items featured bright glazes and innovative designs. At its peak in the 1950s-1970s, McCoy Pottery mass produced millions of pieces of pottery.

Today, McCoy pottery is highly collectible. There is an active community of collectors interested in the history, styles, and rarity of different McCoy pieces. When evaluating and pricing McCoy pottery, there are several important factors to consider as outlined in this guide.

Identifying Marks

Checking for maker’s marks is crucial when identifying and valuing McCoy pottery. According to the McCoy Pottery Collector’s Society, earlier pieces often lacked any identifying marks at all source. However, McCoy adopted the practice of marking wares with a style number relatively early on.

Some key McCoy marks to look for include (with the date ranges they were used):

• McCoy – used from 1925-1930
• Made by McCoy – 1930-1931
• Made by Nelson McCoy – 1931-1937
• Nelson McCoy – 1937-1978

According to McCoyPottery.com, markings evolved over the years, ranging from paper labels to ink stamps source. Knowing the various McCoy markings can help narrow down when a particular piece was produced.

Styles and Patterns

Some of the most valuable and sought-after McCoy pottery pieces feature unique styles and patterns. Here are a few of the rarest and most valuable styles and patterns:

The Cookie Jar line, produced starting in the 1910s, included elaborate cookie jar designs like the Early American and Little Red Riding Hood patterns. Original examples can sell for thousands of dollars. https://www.txantiquemall.com/rarest-mccoy-pottery/

Pieces from the art deco-inspired Adam and Georgian lines of the 1920s and 1930s can sell for hundreds of dollars, like the Flower Art Vase from 1925. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/10-rarest-mccoy-pottery-marks-and-value-guide–68745937636/

The Fawn and Mother planter from the 1940s, featuring a detailed sculpture of a fawn with its mother, is highly sought-after by collectors. https://mccoypotterycollectorssociety.org/article/general/have-you-seen-this-rare-production-piece-of-mccoy/

Condition

The condition of a McCoy pottery piece plays a major role in determining its value. Collectors are looking for pieces that are in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, or other damage. A mint condition piece can bring top dollar. Even small chips, flea bites, crazing, or heavy utensil marks will significantly reduce the value of McCoy pottery. Stains, heavy wear, or repairs using non-original parts will further detract value.

When examining condition, pay close attention to the finish. McCoy glazes were prone to crazing, which is the network of fine cracks across the surface. Light crazing is acceptable but heavy crazing will hurt value. Also inspect the bottom for utensil marks, which are scratches and scrapes from use. The fewer utensil marks the better.

Lastly, make sure all parts of the piece are original. Some collectors try to “marry” pieces, meaning add non-original lids, handles, etc. This lowers value. All parts should be authenticated as original McCoy.

Rarity

Certain pieces of McCoy pottery are more rare and valuable than others. Some factors that make McCoy pottery rare and increase value include:

Limited production runs. Pieces made for a short time or in small quantities are more rare. For example, experimental glazes and patterns that didn’t make it into full production tend to be rare and desirable for collectors. One rare McCoy piece is a simple flower holder planter made for only one year.

Special editions. Commemorative pieces made for specific events like anniversaries or World’s Fairs are rare and collectible.

Unique items. One-of-a-kind prototypes and customer-ordered special pieces can also be quite valuable due to their rarity.

High demand. Some common McCoy patterns and items are rendered rare by their popularity and high demand among collectors.

Flaws and imperfections. Interestingly, defects and production anomalies can increase value for some collectors.

Age. Very old McCoy pieces from the early 1900s tend to be more rare.

Mint condition. Flawless pieces in like-new condition are harder to find and command premium prices.

Authenticity

Verifying whether a piece of McCoy pottery is authentic is crucial in determining its value. There are a few key things to look for:

Examine any markings or stickers on the bottom – authentic McCoy pieces will have the McCoy name, pattern name, style number, or other identifiers. According to the McCoy Pottery Collectors Society, earlier pieces had simple style numbers while later pieces had more detailed marks.

Measure the height of vases and other vertical pieces. As noted by Real or Repro, fakes are often slightly smaller than authentic versions.

Inspect the color, glaze, texture and weight. Authentic McCoy has a smooth semi-gloss glaze and colors should match documented shades. Fakes tend to feel lighter.

Examine the overall craftsmanship. Authentic pieces have clean sculpting, detailing, and finish. Irregularities may indicate a reproduction.

Consult an expert appraiser if still uncertain about authenticity. Advanced authentication tests can detect things like mold markings and material composition.

Demand

The demand for McCoy pottery varies greatly depending on the particular piece. Some of the most popular and sought-after McCoy pieces include:

• Planters like the Brush McCoy and Donkey Planters
• Cookie jars like the Paneled Grape and Apple Tree Cookie Jars
• Vases like the Peacock at the Fountain Vase
• Figurines like Little Red Riding Hood and Wizard of Oz characters

These pieces tend to have high demand among collectors due to their iconic designs, rareness, and association with popular franchises. As a result, they typically sell for higher prices at auction or through antique dealers.

On the other hand, McCoy produced many more common production pieces that have less collector interest. Mass produced vases, flower pots, wall pockets, and simpler figurines are plentiful and have lower demand. These types of McCoy pottery tend to sell for lower prices, often less than $50.

When appraising McCoy pottery, it’s important to assess the rarity and desirability of that particular form or decoration. Researching past auction prices for comparable pieces will help gauge current market demand.

Comparable Prices

One of the best ways to determine the value of McCoy pottery pieces is to look at comparable prices of similar items that have sold recently. Online auction sites like eBay and Etsy can provide a wealth of pricing information based on actual sales data.

For example, you can search eBay for “McCoy vase” or “McCoy planter” and filter the results by sold items only. This will show you the final selling prices for those particular pieces. Pay attention to condition, size, color, pattern, and any other attributes that may impact value when comparing.

Likewise, Etsy has a robust market for McCoy pottery including many rare and vintage items. The listings will note when an item has sold and some sellers keep detailed stats on prior sales prices.

By examining multiple comparable sold prices, you can get a good sense of current market values. Just be sure to note any differences that may impact price when making comparisons.

Getting Appraised

Using a professional appraiser is the best way to get an accurate valuation of your McCoy pottery. Experienced appraisers are knowledgeable about the nuances that affect value like authenticity, condition, rarity, and demand. An appraiser can properly date the piece, confirm markings are genuine, assess any damage or repairs, and determine the current market value for similar pieces at auction or through private sales. According to Kovels, appraisal fees typically start around $50 per item for basic valuations and can go up to around $200 per item for detailed, written appraisals. It’s a good idea to work with an accredited appraiser who specializes in art pottery like McCoy. An appraisal provides peace of mind and is necessary for insurance purposes.

Selling Your Pieces

McCoy pottery is popular among vintage and antique collectors, so there are many options for selling your pieces. Here are some best practices:

Sell locally through classified ads, yard sales, antique malls, or auction houses. This avoids shipping costs and damage. Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and local collector groups are good outlets. Make sure to thoroughly inspect and clean items first.

Auction through reputable houses like Invaluable, LiveAuctioneers or eBay. Take high quality photos and provide detailed descriptions of markings, condition, rarity, etc. Competitive bidding can yield higher sale prices.

Open an online shop through Etsy, eBay or Ruby Lane. Take advantage of their broad customer bases but closely study their selling fees. Professional photos, detailed listings and reasonable shipping costs help sales.

Attend antique shows and flea markets. Displaying the pottery in person allows buyers to thoroughly inspect condition before purchasing. But this requires travel and booth fees.

Join enthusiast Facebook groups like McCoy Pottery Buy, Sell, Trade to connect with serious collectors. Take advantage of niche audiences but establish credibility and reputation first.

Consigning through antique retailers avoids hassles of selling but comes at a commission cost. Ensure fair value estimates and realistic pricing of items.

Consider hiring an appraiser for especially valuable or rare pieces. Appraisal fees provide needed documentation and likely yield higher selling prices.