Hull Pottery Value Guide: Identification, Marks, and Pricing

Hull pottery ranks among the most collected American art pottery of the 20th century, and for good reason. Produced in Crooksville, Ohio from 1905 to 1986, Hull pieces show up regularly at estate sales, thrift stores, and auction houses across the country. Some sell for a few dollars. Others bring hundreds or even thousands.

Thinking about selling your Hull pottery collection? Get a free appraisal from Lion and Unicorn, where our ceramics specialists handle American art pottery every week through our full-service auction program.

The difference between a $10 planter and a $500 vase often comes down to three things: which era it was made, which pattern line it belongs to, and how to read the marks on the bottom. This guide covers all three so you can identify what you have, understand what it is worth, and decide what to do with it.

A Brief History of Hull Pottery

Addis Emmet Hull founded the A.E. Hull Pottery Company in Crooksville, Ohio in 1905. The company started with utilitarian stoneware, semi-porcelain dinnerware, and decorative tile. By the 1920s, Hull had expanded to include offices in New York, Chicago, and Detroit, along with a large warehouse in New Jersey.

A.E. Hull died in 1930, and his son Addis E. Hull Jr. took over management until 1937, when he left to run the Shawnee Pottery Company. Gerald F. Watts stepped in as the new manager and guided the company into its most celebrated period of art pottery production.

From the late 1930s through the 1950s, Hull released the lines that collectors prize most today: Orchid, Wildflower, Calla Lily, Bow-Knot, Woodland, and the beloved Little Red Riding Hood series. These pre-1950 pieces are recognized by their soft matte glazes in pastel pink, blue, yellow, and cream. The matte finish and gentle color gradients give pre-war Hull pottery a look that no other American pottery company quite matched.

In June 1950, a flood destroyed the Hull factory and triggered a fire that consumed much of the plant, including original molds. The company rebuilt and reopened on January 1, 1952 as “The Hull Pottery Company” under the management of J.B. Hull. Post-1950 production shifted to glossy glazes and bolder colors, a noticeable departure from the earlier matte finishes.

Through the 1960s and 1970s, Hull moved toward mass-produced kitchenware, releasing the House ‘n Garden and Mirror Brown ovenware lines that became staples in American kitchens. J.B. Hull died in 1978. By the mid-1980s, labor strikes and foreign competition forced the company to close in March 1986. The building was sold to Friendship Pottery, and in 1993 a fire during renovation destroyed the original factory entirely.

How to Identify Hull Pottery by Its Marks

Hull used different marking systems across its eight decades of production. Flipping a piece over and reading the bottom is the fastest way to date it and confirm authenticity. Here is what to look for by era:

Early Marks (1905-1929)

The earliest Hull pieces feature an “H” inside a circle or diamond shape, stamped or incised into the base. Stoneware jars and jugs from this period may show the Hull name within a wreath design, along with a mold number. Paper labels were also used, though these have rarely survived. Look for heavy utilitarian forms in simple glazes during this period.

Golden Era Marks (1930s-1950)

During Hull’s art pottery golden era, marks typically include “Hull” or “Hull Art” followed by a letter-number code. The letter identifies the pattern line, and the number indicates the mold shape and size. For example, a piece marked “Hull Art W-3 5-1/2” tells you it is from the Wildflower line (W), mold shape 3, standing 5-1/2 inches tall. “U.S.A.” often appears below the Hull name. These marks are usually incised (pressed into the clay before firing) or embossed (raised lettering).

The Little Red Riding Hood line carries its own distinctive mark: “Hull Ware” or “Little Red Riding Hood” along with a patent number (Pat. Des. No. 135889). Some pieces from this line were also marked “Regal China” because Hull contracted with Regal China Corporation for certain production runs.

Post-Fire Marks (1952-1986)

After the 1950 fire and rebuild, Hull adopted new marking conventions. Post-1952 pieces often feature “Hull” in a cursive script, sometimes within an oval. The numbering system continued but with new letter codes for new lines. The ovenware lines (Mirror Brown, House ‘n Garden) are typically marked “Hull Oven-Proof U.S.A.” with a mold number. Some late-production pieces carry only a simple “Hull” with “U.S.A.” and a number.

Era	Typical Mark	Glaze Style	Example
1905-1929	“H” in circle/diamond, wreath + number	Utilitarian, simple	Stoneware jars, jugs
1930s-1950	“Hull Art” + letter-number code + “U.S.A.”	Matte pastels	“Hull Art W-3 5-1/2”
1943-1957	“Hull Ware” / “Little Red Riding Hood” + patent	Hand-painted gloss	Cookie jars, creamers
1952-1986	Cursive “Hull” + number + “U.S.A.”	Glossy, bold colors	“Hull USA 23”
1960s-1986	“Hull Oven-Proof U.S.A.” + number	Brown drip glaze	Mirror Brown casseroles

Most Valuable Hull Pottery Patterns and Their Prices

Not all Hull pottery is created equal. Pre-1950 art pottery lines with matte glazes command the highest prices, while post-fire glossy pieces and mass-produced ovenware sell for much less. Here are the patterns that collectors pay the most for, organized by era.

Have Hull pottery you would like appraised? Request a free appraisal from our ceramics team. We handle American art pottery consignments every week at our Hollywood, FL auction house.

Pre-1950 Art Pottery (Highest Values)

Bow-Knot (1949-1950): One of Hull’s shortest-lived and most sought-after lines. Decorated with a raised bow-knot ribbon motif in pink, blue, and turquoise matte glazes. Console bowls, wall pockets, and large vases from this line regularly sell for $150 to $400. Rare pieces in mint condition can exceed $500.

Wildflower (1946-1947): Recognized by its three-petaled wildflower design in pink and blue matte glazes. The W-20 floor vase, standing 15-1/2 inches tall, is among the most valuable Hull pieces ever produced. Floor vases in excellent condition have sold for $400 to $800 at auction. Standard Wildflower vases and ewers range from $75 to $250.

Orchid (1939-1941): One of Hull’s earlier art pottery lines, featuring orchid sprays on matte pink, blue, and cream backgrounds. Large vases and bookends from this line bring $100 to $300. The 10-inch vases are particularly desirable.

Calla Lily / Jack-in-the-Pulpit (1938-1941): A distinctive line shaped around calla lily forms. Pieces range from $75 for smaller items to $250 or more for console bowls and large vases in excellent condition.

Tulip / Sueno (1938-1940): Features raised tulip decoration on matte pastels. Tall vases and jardiniere sets in this line are priced between $100 and $350 depending on size and condition.

Iris / Narcissus (1940-1941): Soft-toned line with iris flower motifs. Mid-range in value for pre-war Hull, with pieces selling from $60 to $200. Larger pieces and unusual forms bring more.

Little Red Riding Hood (1943-1957): Hull’s whimsical figural line of cookie jars, shakers, creamers, and wall pockets shaped like Little Red Riding Hood. Cookie jars in good condition regularly sell for $200 to $400. Rare pieces with unusual hand-painted decoration (like the “poinsettia” pattern) can bring $500 to $1,000 or more. This line was produced in partnership with Regal China Corporation.

Post-1950 Art Pottery (Moderate Values)

Woodland (1949-1950, reissued post-fire): Originally produced in matte glazes, the post-fire version used glossy glazes. Pre-fire matte Woodland pieces sell for $75 to $200. Post-fire glossy versions bring $30 to $100.

Serenade (1957): Features bird motifs in pink, yellow, and blue glossy glazes. Prices range from $30 to $100 for most pieces, with larger vases and unusual forms on the higher end.

Ebb Tide (1954-1955): A mid-century modern line with shell and wave forms in green, pink, and cream. Prices range from $40 to $150. The fish-shaped pieces and console bowls are the most desirable.

Tokay / Tuscany (1958): Grape cluster decoration in green, pink, and white glossy glazes. Common pieces sell for $20 to $60, with larger items reaching $100.

Parchment and Pine (1951-1952): One of Hull’s first post-fire lines, featuring pine cone motifs on a parchment-colored base. Priced at $25 to $80 for most pieces.

Ovenware and Kitchenware (Lower Values, High Availability)

Mirror Brown / House ‘n Garden (1960s-1986): Hull’s mass-produced ovenware line with a distinctive brown drip glaze. Produced in enormous quantities, most individual pieces sell for $5 to $25. Complete sets, unusual specialty items (like the gingerbread man cookie jar), and pieces with lids intact can bring $30 to $75. The Gingerbread Man line within this series is an exception, with cookie jars selling for $40 to $100.

Hull Pottery Value by Form and Size

Beyond the pattern line, the form and size of a piece significantly affect its value. Here is a general pricing guide by form type:

Form	Common Range	High-End Range	Notes
Floor vases (12″+)	$150-$400	$500-$800+	Wildflower W-20 is the benchmark
Large vases (8″-12″)	$75-$200	$250-$400	Pre-1950 matte glazes at premium
Console bowls	$60-$150	$200-$350	Especially Bow-Knot and Orchid
Ewers and pitchers	$50-$150	$200-$300	Wildflower and Bow-Knot top sellers
Cookie jars	$50-$150	$200-$1,000+	Little Red Riding Hood highest
Wall pockets	$40-$100	$150-$250	Whisk broom and iron shapes popular
Planters	$15-$60	$75-$150	Figural planters worth more
Small vases (under 8″)	$20-$60	$75-$150	Pattern line matters most
Ovenware pieces	$5-$25	$30-$75	Complete sets add value

What Makes Hull Pottery Valuable?

Several factors determine whether a Hull piece is worth $10 or $500. Understanding these will help you evaluate any piece you come across:

• Era of production: Pre-1950 matte glaze pieces are worth significantly more than post-fire glossy pieces. The 1950 flood and fire is the dividing line that collectors use to separate “early Hull” from “later Hull.”
• Pattern line: Bow-Knot, Wildflower, and Little Red Riding Hood consistently bring the highest prices. Common lines like Mirror Brown bring the least.
• Size: Larger pieces are rarer and more valuable. Floor vases (12 inches and taller) command premium prices in any pattern.
• Condition: Chips, cracks, and repairs reduce value by 50% or more. Hull pottery’s soft matte glazes are prone to chipping, so mint-condition pre-war pieces are scarce. Look closely at handles, rims, and bases where damage most commonly occurs.
• Color variations: Some lines were produced in multiple color combinations. Unusual or less-common colorways sell for more. Gold-trimmed variants of standard patterns are particularly desirable.
• Completeness: For lines that included matching sets (console bowl with candleholders, covered casseroles with lids), complete groupings are worth more than the individual pieces combined.

How Can You Tell if Hull Pottery Is Real?

Fakes and reproductions are less common with Hull pottery than with some other American art pottery brands like Weller or Roseville. However, misidentification is a frequent problem, and some reproductions do exist. Here is how to verify authenticity:

Check the marks: Authentic Hull pieces are almost always marked. Look for incised or embossed marks on the base. Unmarked pieces may still be genuine (some early production and some florist-ware pieces were unmarked), but proceed with caution. Compare any mark you find against the era chart above.

Examine the glaze: Pre-1950 Hull art pottery should have a distinctively smooth matte finish. If a piece is marked as pre-1950 Hull but has a glossy glaze, it may be a post-fire version or a reproduction. The matte glazes have a soft, almost chalky texture that is difficult to replicate.

Look at the clay body: Hull used a cream or buff-colored clay body. If the clay appears bright white or gray, the piece is likely not Hull. Check any unglazed areas on the base for the clay color.

Assess the weight: Hull pottery has a medium weight, neither too heavy nor too light for its size. Reproductions are often heavier because they use denser clay bodies.

Compare proportions: Reproduction pieces sometimes vary slightly in size from originals because molds shrink with each generation of casting. If a piece seems slightly smaller than reference dimensions, examine it more closely.

Watch for “married” pieces: Some sellers pair lids from one piece with bases from another, especially with cookie jars and covered casseroles. Check that the lid and base share the same glaze color, pattern, and marking style.

Where to Sell Hull Pottery

If you have Hull pottery to sell, your options depend on what you have and how much it is worth.

For high-value pieces and collections: An auction house that specializes in American ceramics will reach the right buyers and typically brings the strongest prices. At Lion and Unicorn, we auction American art pottery weekly and have specialists who can evaluate your Hull collection for free. We handle everything from pickup to photography to online listing, and our buyer pool includes pottery collectors nationwide.

Ready to find out what your Hull pottery is worth? Contact our American art pottery team for a free, no-obligation appraisal.

For mid-range pieces ($50-$200): Online marketplaces like eBay are viable, but pricing requires research. Check sold listings for comparable pieces, and photograph any marks clearly. Auction houses are still a good option since they handle the selling process for you.

For common pieces (under $50): Antique malls, estate sales, and online marketplaces work well for individual ovenware pieces and common patterns. For larger collections of common pieces, bundling them for auction can save time.

If you have inherited a pottery collection and are unsure where to start, getting a professional appraisal is the best first step. A qualified appraiser can separate the valuable pieces from the common ones and recommend the best selling strategy for each.

Hull Pottery Compared to Other American Art Pottery

Hull is part of a group of Ohio-based potteries that define American art pottery collecting. Here is how it compares to the most frequently encountered brands:

Brand	Active Years	Location	Known For	Typical Price Range
Hull	1905-1986	Crooksville, OH	Matte pastel art pottery, Little Red Riding Hood	$20-$800
Weller	1872-1948	Zanesville, OH	Louwelsa, Hudson, Woodcraft art pottery	$25-$5,000+
Roseville	1890-1954	Zanesville/Roseville, OH	Futura, Sunflower, Pine Cone	$50-$3,000+
McCoy	1899-1990	Roseville/Zanesville, OH	Cookie jars, garden pottery	$10-$500
Rookwood	1880-1967	Cincinnati, OH	Vellum glaze, Iris glaze, artist-signed	$100-$10,000+

Hull pottery occupies a sweet spot for collectors: prices are generally lower than Roseville or Weller, the pieces are attractive and well-made, and there is enough variety across 80 years of production to build a deep collection. That accessibility is part of why Hull remains popular with both new and experienced collectors.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I tell the age of Hull Pottery?

Check the marks on the base. Pre-1950 pieces typically have “Hull Art” or “Hull” with a letter-number code and matte glazes. Post-1952 pieces often show cursive “Hull” marks with glossy glazes. The letter code before the number identifies the pattern line, and published pattern guides can date that line to a specific production year range.

Is all Hull pottery marked?

Most Hull pottery is marked, but not all. Some early utilitarian stoneware, certain florist-ware pieces, and some items that were marketed under other brand names may lack a Hull mark. Paper labels were used on some lines, but these rarely survive. If a piece is unmarked, you will need to identify it by form, glaze, and clay body characteristics.

What is the most valuable Hull pottery piece?

The most consistently valuable pieces are large Wildflower floor vases (W-20), Bow-Knot console sets, and rare Little Red Riding Hood variants with unusual hand-painted decoration. Individual pieces from these lines in mint condition can sell for $500 to $1,000 or more at auction. Gold-trimmed Wildflower floor vases are especially sought after.

Is Mirror Brown Hull pottery worth anything?

Mirror Brown ovenware was produced in large quantities from the 1960s through 1986, so individual pieces are common and typically sell for $5 to $25 each. Complete dinner sets, specialty items like the gingerbread man cookie jar, and pieces with lids intact are worth more, generally $30 to $100. While not high-value individually, large Mirror Brown collections can add up.

How do I find out if my pottery is valuable?

Start by identifying the pattern line using the marks on the base. Check the letter code against a Hull pottery reference guide to determine the line name and production dates. Compare your piece to recent auction results for the same pattern and form. For a professional evaluation, request a free appraisal from a ceramics specialist who handles American art pottery regularly.

Where can I sell Hull pottery near me?

Auction houses that specialize in art pottery will typically get you the best prices for valuable pieces. For common items, local antique malls, consignment shops, and online marketplaces are good options. If you have a large collection or are liquidating an estate, a full-service auction house like Lion and Unicorn can handle the entire process, from appraisal to shipping to payment.

Start Collecting or Start Selling

Hull pottery offers something for every collector and every budget. Early matte-glaze pieces from the 1930s and 1940s combine genuine artistry with real market value. Even the more affordable post-war lines and Mirror Brown ovenware have a loyal following and look right at home in any kitchen or on any shelf.

Whether you are building a collection, evaluating pieces you already own, or clearing out an estate, knowing what to look for on the bottom of each piece is the key to making smart decisions.

Explore more of our collector value guides: Weller Pottery | Lladro Figurines | Hummel Figurines | Royal Doulton Figurines | Most Valuable Antiques

Have antiques, art, or collectibles you’re ready to sell? Contact Lion and Unicorn, request a free online estimate, or tell us about your collection to speak with our team.