Catalina Collectors Blog

Many thanks to pottery guru Jack Chipman for honoring us with our first guest posting about the beginnings of the Catalina pottery & tile saga….

CATALINA WHAT? by Jack Chipman

Did it really happen? Perhaps it was in a previous lifetime. These thoughts come to the surface as I think about my first trip to fabled Santa Catalina Island. Friend and business partner, Judy Stangler and I, made the voyage together, departing the mainland from Long Beach on a not-yet spring morning in 1979. The exact date was March 12 so still technically winter, but after disembarking it felt like we’d somehow crossed over into summer. Besides the great weather, I recall being struck by the quaintness of the place and a feeling of being isolated from the hustle and bustle of the world we had temporarily left behind.

Not long before, Judy and I had decided to form a partnership called California Spectrum, which we envisioned as a research center and retail store devoted to the mysterious vintage California pottery that was beginning to attract many converts like us. I was actually an old-timer by then—having started a collection in the early 70s, at a time when virtually no reference books were available to guide a novice collector. Judy and I knew that a good book on Bauer was desperately needed but Catalina Island pottery held a special fascination for us due the remote location of the business, not to mention the beauty of the existing ware. What we weren’t prepared for was the reaction we got when we inquired about this once-booming business.

While exploring the narrow back streets of Avalon, we couldn’t help but observe the colorful tile-covered planters flanking the doorways of numerous cottage-like dwelling. As we peeked into tiny backyards we saw glazed flowerpots overgrown with plant life that surely was native to the island. I clearly remember spotting a tiled backgammon table in the rear garden of one of those humble abodes. In fact, we were overwhelmed by the abundance of decorative tile on the many public and private buildings around town. It was everywhere. So why the blank stares when we asked residents about the pottery? It was as if the people we asked were muttering in silence: “Catalina what?”

Al Fridley had already self-published a funky little book about the pottery titled Catalina Pottery: The Early Years 1927-1937. Surely he had paved the way for us by visiting the island and interviewing former employees and others who remembered the business. It seemed otherwise as we were only able to get rudimentary information from the local Chamber of Commerce. The only lead they offered was the name Bud Upton—a long-time resident and local artist who might be able to help us. We literally stumbled upon him when we noticed a large brightly colored pottery fountain piece in the window of a small gift shop that flanked the marina. We learned, much to our delight, that it was just one of many creations he’d produced at the erstwhile plant.

Finally, we had someone who knew something about the pottery! After convincing him of our determined intent, we secured a secluded bench not far from his shop and set about recording a conversation. Mr. Upton revealed, among other things, that he had designed many of the novelties that were produced as souvenirs for tourists and sold in various Avalon locations during the 30s. What it provided at the time was a sense of accomplishment—that our initial trip to Catalina Island had been a success. It also gave us the momentum to move ahead with our research.

Gerry and Jim emailed the following:

“Stuck in weather at the San Francisco Airport yesterday, and trying to keep amused, we nearly fainted as we came upon the most beautiful and astounding exhibit of Catalina pottery and tile! We were completely floored.
This is a fantastic and very informative display. You should have heard all the comments from the travelers as they passed through. Everyone’s conversation turned to Catalina Island. “Have you ever been there before?” “Look how beautiful this pottery is!” “Where is Catalina Island?” Many people were taking pictures of the displays and the poster boards. Anyway, Excellent Job and Congratulations! ”

Thanks for your eye-witness report.

The Catalina Exhibit at the SFO (San Francisco Airport) Museum is up and running as of February 2nd through August 2008, although finishing touches are still being added. This is the largest display ever of vintage Catalina tile, pottery, and related imagery in over 40 cases and it can be viewed by passengers in the United and American Domestic terminal. Millions of passengers will pass through this airport over the next 7 months, and it is hoped that they will be informed and enlightened regarding Catalina’s colorful ceramic legacy. We will be able to arrange tours for up to 20 interested collectors at a time in the coming months, so contact us if you would like to be included. Serendipitously, Catalina collectors Gerry Orcholski and Jim Phillips were stuck at the airport that first day and stumbled upon the exhibit. More to follow…..