RCAF insignia on Medalta Pottery

[zorgon]

This post is not strictly about badges but it does involve insignia in a general way so perhaps our Moderator will allow it to remain in this category.

Several manufactures have made tableware for the RCAF over the years with the common identifying factor being the RCAF King’s (Tudor) logo embossed on the items. Manufacturers include Grindley, John Maddock, J&G Meakin and Johann Haviland but probably the best known producer is Medalta of Medicine Hat, Alberta.

In antique malls and at auctions, one mainly sees the double eggcup, mustard pot with lid or the 4 oz. demitasse. The relative abundance of the latter always surprises me as one would think that espressos weren't that common a beverage for Canadians during or immediately after the war.

The first image illustrates the most commonly observed back-stamp seen for RCAF Medalta pottery although, as in this case, one sometimes just sees a “2” rather than a “52” due to a faulty date stamp. The number does refer to the year of production. Ron Getty, a long time historian of Medalta pottery, says it is believed that the 50’s production of embossed pottery was largely done for various RCAF Associations across Canada. I questioned why we wouldn’t see more during the war years and he felt that tableware produced for the many bases and BCATP centers was of generic, plane white unmarked origin albeit of heavier more robust construction than generally found in tableware.

Image two illustrates two variations of bowls, the item on the left being more commonly seen in my experience. They measure 5 ¼” and 6 ¼” respectively and possibly used for breakfast porridge or cereal and perhaps lunch soup. The 3rd picture shows various cups and saucers with the demitasse on the left. Illustrated are two versions of coffee cups. Note the slight variation in the handle and one is thicker than the other. They hold between 6 and 7 oz. comfortably; much less than modern day coffee cups which are often at least double that volume.

The 4th image is of a creamer, individual sugar bowl and club tea pot (4” high) and butter pat. I must acknowledge Dave, a fellow BBF member, for selling most of these to me many years ago. Again, all have the RCAF King’s (Tudor) crown but the bottom stamps vary slightly, indicating I think they were manufactured in the mid to late 40’s. (Medalta specialists please comment). All foreground pieces are seldom seen and quite rare. The cobalt glazed butter pat in the background measures about 3 1/8” in diameter and has the RCAF crest in gold. The stamp indicates a manufacturing date from somewhere between the early 40’s up to the mid 50’s. These blue RCAF items were probably specially ordered by senior officers from various bases across the Country. It is thought that a larger teapot was also manufactured.

In the 5th picture, there is a 5 ¼” high pitcher sitting on a 7” bread plate. In the final photo, a selection of items which might be found at the supper table is presented and illustrates a 9 ¾” dinner plate, a 9” shallow bowl (which may be for a dinner soup), a 5” fruit bowl (nappy) and a 10” serving bowl (sans lid unfortunately) which could have held potatoes or vegetables for the entire table. There are several variations of these larger serving bowls and platters (up to 16”) and being quite uncommon, demand a respectable price.
Speaking for myself, we could learn something from the smaller proportions they obviously served back in those days. Maybe smaller dishes are the first step!

Regards,
Wayne Logus