Question:
The Future Of Frankoma Pottery Plant And Store In Sapulpa, Up In The Air

A Sapulpa landmark since before World War II, Frankoma Pottery is closed. Friday was its last day.

As News on 6 reporter Rick Wells explains, employees are hoping the closing is not permanent.

People still drive up hoping to find a special piece to add to their collection of Frankoma Pottery, but the plant, the gift shop, all of it is closed. Plant manager Terry Steeples: "Our boss called us two days before Christmas and said close the whole plant down." That put a couple of dozen folks out of work, including his oldest son.

Terry Steeples is the plant manager, as was his father before him. "This is the only job my dad ever had. He worked here for 47 years, worked right up 'til the day he died; he was plant manager for 30 years. I've been in and out of this plant since I was a little kid.” Working at Frankoma Pottery is a family affair and they're proud of what they turn out. "Everything is totally hand made; it's done the same way it was in 1938." That’s how long Frankoma has been making pottery in Sapulpa; even the clay they make it from is local.

There are thousands of collectors and as the word gets out about the closing, the phone keeps on ringing. "Can they call and get this or that, no; we're not allowed to sell anything right now." So the plant sits quietly, the molds are empty, no glazing and no trimming. Everything's pretty much as it was on Christmas Eve when production stopped.

They were able to keep the gift shop open for another week, now that's closed too. Everyone hopes it's temporary and a new owner will open the plant up again and the sentiment on the sign will mean what it says, "Come see us again real soon."

The goal of the owner, who lives in Maryland, is to have the plant sold before the first of March. If a new owner does not materialize by then, no one is sure what the next step will be.

http://www.kotv.com/main/home/storie...age=1&id=75314

Gosh, I hope someone buys Frankoma. Hopefully, this will be temporary.
Answer:
The Frankoma site is also closed, but I'm leaving it in the Pottery Links for the time being. Hopefully someone will purchase it and all will be fine.

http://www.frankoma.com/
The Frankoma website is currently offline. For current stock availability or questions about your online order, contact Frankoma at 1-800-331-3650.
Answer:
If they stay closed, won't it drive up the price of Frankoma items on ebay? That would be good for some sellers, who may have been hoarding Frankoma for the day this might happen.
I never liked Frankoma much. I think because it is green, and because most of what I have seen has a Western flavor. Not my cup of tea, but my SM likes it.
Will her pieces have more value now -if they close for good?
Answer:
How sad, I DO hope the closing is only temporary. I make hot tea in my little Aztec teapot every day and am usually cheered by it. Now it will make me sad.
Joan
Answer:
Joan, I agree (I thought about you when I posted this). I hate to see any American company closing after all these years.

puzzlegoddess - I don't know if the value will go up or not. You have to take into consideration the volatility of the value of collectibles, along with the availability and demand.

Who'll make those Political Mugs if they close?

A recent auction of 65 mugs in various colors

Here's the Bush/Cheney Mug

The Nixon-Ford Mug is valued at $400 - $600.
Answer:
I have sold odds-and-end pieces on eBay but have 8-10 pieces in my mall booth right now. Wonder if I should go pull it and hang on to it for a few months?
Answer:
i BOUGHT THE fRANKOMA SOUP TUREEN FOR MY SISTER FOR cHRISTMAS AND SHE GOT IT RIGHT BEFORE. sHE SAYS IT IS NOT EVEN MARKED fRANKOMA, NOT MARKED AT ALL!
iS IS POSSIBLE THEY DIDN'T EVEN MAKE IT?
Answer:
Hi Susie,
If you go the the Pottery Links and select "Frankoma Family Collectors Association," you can ask a question. You'll find an email address for Donna. I believe this Donna is Donna Frank, John Frank's daughter.

I know that there are reproductions out there, but don't know about the marks; however I thought all were marked.
Answer:
well, huh. I will do that Elizabeth.
I bought it directly from the Frankoma web site, around Dec. 13th.
She says it is not marked....
Answer:
At last night's auction, I was able to get a McCoy and a Frankoma pitcher for only $5 for both. The McCoy had a small spot of damage and the Frankoma (which was a red "flame" piece) was perfect. I guess the word hasn't gotten out yet.