I usually have at least some sort of idea about who made a particular mug, but these beauties have thrown me for a loop. Initially, I had thought that maybe they were in the pottery class variety, but these two mugs are matched almost perfectly in shape and the glaze looks a bit advanced (but who can really tell). There also seems to be an in-mold marking on the bottom of one of the mugs but it is really indistinct. I’ve stared at it for an hour or so trying to make out what it says, to no avail.

The mugs also seem to have a good amount of crazing, and they just look “old”. I know crazing is not a good indicator of age, but they do seem a bit older than the average. Plus, the shape is really interesting.

If anyone has information on the possible maker for these, please let me know…

Came across another of the so-called “Ranger” Fire King Mugs the other day - this one is in yellow. I wanted to make a joke about Power Rangers, but couldn’t think of a good one, haha.

These 11.5 oz mugs have a distinctive shape that is very different from other Fire King mugs. They only came in solid colors and have no pattern on them. Because of the two ridges along the sides, they’re sometimes also known as the Barrel shape. This is the third color I’ve found so far - I have the amber clear one and the light brown one. There are only six colors total, so I’m halfway there to finding them all. The other colors are white, orange rust, and olive green.

Whew, I’ve been looking for one of these Hornsea Mugs for the longest time. They are rather hard to come across here in the States and I didn’t feel like shelling out the big bucks on Ebay for one. Funny, the one that I finally found is one that I was looking for. It features a smiling cat on one side, some really scary looking fish with very sharp teeth on the middel frame, and on the other side the cat is no longer smiling any more, hehe!

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I originally got this mug just because I liked the glaze and the sort of unusual shape. I figured it was probably someone’s mug that they created at a pottery class or workshop. However, after I got home I took another look at it and had some second thoughts. For one thing, granted that the mug has some “handmade” - looking areas where it just doesn’t look perfect. But it looks a little TOO good to be a novice’s mug. Also, the glaze which is a beautiful mottled green, brown and white, just doesn’t look like something that they’d have at an average make-your-own class. The handle also looks awfully good for an amateur’s mug. It has a unique squarish look to it (sorta reminds me of some of the Metlox pieces like California Tempo).

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Yes, again, I know these aren’t really mugs but actually cups - but I had to get one at the thrift anyhow. These are Franciscan Whitestone Ware in a pattern called “Hawaii”. It features a line of tall green and brown leaves around the rim encircled in a pattern of orange yellow and brown. I’m not as familiar with this shape - it seems different than the usual style of GMcB items that we come across. It’s a very “triangular” looking cup to me.

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