Stanford Pottery

[Rob D.]

Not to pile on but rather to follow up on Mark's thoughts, there's also a smaller, prototype version of the Cleveland Indian. All a matter of personal preference.

[perezfan]

Great point, Rob... I forgot those prototypes. I have the Braves, which is different from traditional Stanford Pottery in a number of ways...

1. Slightly smaller
2. Chalk composition instead of Ceramic
3. Not as glossy
4. No coin slot in back

Or is it a razor slot? (I have heard opinions both ways)

I have also heard that these may have been Salesmen Samples?

Here's a pic of mine.... hope others will post/add to this thread as well

[perezfan]

Here's the Tigers Man-face, for anyone who's interested. By far the biggest/tallest of the Stanfords...

[perezfan]

One last post, as I like this topic...

While the Full Headdress Stanford Pottery Brave is insanely rare and desirable... there is also a Full Headdress Gibbs Conner.

This is another very rare piece, but obviously not as coveted. Anyway, thought I would attach a photo, since it's attractive and pretty closely related.

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by perezfan

Or is it a razor slot? (I have heard opinions both ways)

The company definitely marketed these as -- among other things -- depositories for used razor blades. Here's an original tag that hung around the neck of the Indian at the point of sale.

[Rickyy]

Wow...Love them...great pieces!

Ricky Y

[bobfreedman]

Thanks for clarifying all the different points brought out as well as the compliments. I do believe that these were exclusively for used razor blades as there is no way to get the money out once the money has been dropped in, unless you consider breaking the pottery pieces which I do not believe was the intent.

I will eventually only get the two (Detroit man face and the smaller Boston Braves piece). I agree with you Mark that the Pirate not painted is ugly and I really do not consider that a different piece but I can see how others would.

[Rob D.]

The middle piece in the first photo is the miniature version of the Indian that I have. Even though I described it above as a prototype, I think Mark is correct that it was a salesman sample.

The second photo is a close-up of the remainder of a sticker on the base of the Stanford Potter Indian pictured on the right in the other photo. It reads "Souvenir of Cleveland, Ohio."

I have a few Gibbs Conner pieces that have similar stickers, but this is the only Stanford Pottery statue I've found with one.

Bob, I think these also were marketed as banks, as evidenced by the phrase "The chief not only helps the savers ..." on the point-of-sale tag.

[Scott Garner]

I agree with Rob.
I recall the image of the older ceramic piggy banks requiring using a hammer to shatter the back to grab the saved cash...