Locations: Pasadena
Dates of Operation: 1940s - 1950s
Seller Values: Check average price on Ebay
I’ve seen Walter Wilson items a few times so far, such as the serving dish or planter shown above. I’ve yet to pick any up, though, because many of his items are Asian figurines from the period. I just find it difficult to get into that type of collectible, being Asian-American myself. I suppose it’s like African-Americans getting into those “mammy” caricature figurines. The Asian figurines were extremely popular, however, and many California companies produced ceramics like this at the time.
Anyhow, according to Chipman, Wilson’s business was based in Pasadena. Actually, it was located right on Los Robles near the intersection of Orange Grove. The items are often signed in-mold with his name.
[Edit: Walter Wilson’s son (also named Walter) was nice enough to write in to provide some info: “He designed all of his pottery himself and a gentleman by the name of Opel Love carved all of his molds. My grandmother Iva Wilson was his lead painter.”]
More Images
