Haeger Potteries - A Collection Of Vases 125 Years In The
by George Coggle
http://www.fgcollectible.com
How did a brick manufacturer from Germany end up migrating
to Dundee, Illinois, in the 1870s and start one of the most
collectible pottery businesses in the nation? David Haeger,
a proud and wise brick-maker, seized a supply-and-demand
situation in 1871 when the Great Chicago Fire destroyed
nearly 17,500 buildings. Haeger formed Dundee Brickyard and
prospered greatly from solely producing bricks and roof
tiles during this reconstruction period of 25 years.
Through time, Dundee Brickyard has readjusted its focus and
even split into a division called Haeger Pottery, which
celebrated its 125 anniversary in 1996.
After David~s death in 1900, his sons expanded the product
line to include red clay pots that were sold to florists.
On July 16, 1919, son Edmund purchased the pottery division
and named his company Haeger Potteries. Haeger vases
have been a popular staple of the floral industry ever
since. For decades the Haeger name has been applied to a
large collection of planters, vases, figurines,
candleholders, bowls, urns, ashtrays, bookends, and lamps.
According to the 1996 125th anniversary product catalog,
Haeger Potteries "produce the most collected accessories
for the home - destined to continue into the 21st Century
and beyond."
In 1912, Edmund Haeger introduced the first Haeger glazed
ceramic products. The Haeger glaze is famous and
unmistakable to the experienced eye. Otherwise unmarked
pieces can be identified as Haeger by the characteristic
combination of color and finish that was popular in each
decade of Haeger production. For example, items from the
1950~s are pink or lime green while items from the 1970~s
are orange and brown. The introductory line of glazed art
ware became so popular that by 1920, better department
stores across the country were selling Haeger products and
factory output tripled.
Haeger Potteries scored a marketing coupe when the company
participated in the 1934 Chicago World~s Fair, also known
as Century of Progress. For the yearlong exposition, Edmund
Haeger exhibited a complete ceramic works that
demonstrated both current and southwest Native American
pottery techniques. Over four million people were
introduced to Haeger products during the fair.
The year 1938 marked two major events at Haeger Potteries.
First, management leadership passed to Joseph Estes,
son-in-law to Edmund Haeger. Joseph Estes became president
of the company upon the death of Edmund Haeger in 1971.
Joseph Estes subsequently passed the torch to the fourth
generation of the Haeger dynasty, his daughter Alexandra
Haeger Estes, in 1979. Alexandra Estes remains president
of the entire corporation, Haeger Industries, to this day.
What makes Haeger pottery so collectible now, even after
thousands and thousands of pieces were merely used to hold
flower arrangements? While the common pieces do not hold
much value on the secondary market, several of the finer and
unique vases and figurines are very collectible and
considered antiques. Many of the better antique pieces sell
for hundreds of dollars and sought by devoted collectors.
The fine journey that Dave Haeger and later that his son
Edmund Haeger took to benefit the brick and ceramic
industries has not ended since its beginning 125 years ago;
these new and antique collectibles remain a hot item on the
market today and more customers continue to discover what
makes Haeger Potteries such a sought after product.
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