 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
Pickard China, one of America's finest china companies, has announced the opening of a New York showroom on the 9th floor of the Merchandise Mart at 41 Madison Avenue.
"The decision to open a New York showroom is part of an aggressive five year strategic plan to enhance the brand to our customer and consumer base, and to develop new business opportunities while maintaining the legacy on which Pickard is built," states Eben Morgan, President of Pickard China.
Read the entire press release.
Pickard's showroom is only open to people in the trade, tabletop buyers and customers accompanied by a Pickard sales representative.
Read about some of Pickard's employees.
Pickard China was established in Edgerton, Wisconsin in 1893 by Wilder Austin Pickard, and moved to Chicago in 1897. For some forty years the Pickard China Studio, as the firm was then known, was a decorating company specializing in hand painted art pieces, dessert and tea sets. Many of the original artists were from the Art Institute of Chicago. The staff was increased by renowned ceramic artists from all the countries of Europe. Since most of the china was manufactured abroad at the time, the Pickard studios imported blank ware to be decorated. These early pieces are now sought after by collectors.
When Wilder's son Austin entered the business, he longed for the day that Pickard would no longer be dependent upon outside sources. He dreamed of manufacturing in Illinois as fine a china as could be found anywhere in the world. In 1930, experiments began. It took seven years before the secret Pickard formula was developed - a delicate blend of many different clays and minerals considered worthy to bear Pickard's proud new lion trademark. Further experiments produced a formula for glaze that is considered by many experts as the finest in the industry.
In 1937, production was moved to Antioch, in the lovely lakes region of northern Illinois about midway between Chicago and Milwaukee. This peaceful setting proved ideal for the painstaking craftsmanship and skilled handwork necessary to produce top quality ware. Pickard became known for creating a beautiful warm white china as well as rich decorations.
Austin's son, Henry A. "Pete" Pickard, represented the third generation to enter the business and served as president from 1966 until his retirement in 1994. Pete's brother-in-law, Eben C. Morgan Jr., is the current president and carries on the family management that has directed the company for more than a hundred years. Richard E. Morgan and Andrew Pickard Morgan, the founder's great grandsons, have both joined the company and represent the fourth generation of the family in the business. The company's sales are primarily in fine china dinnerware, decorative accessories and collectibles.
Today Pickard china ranks among the finest in the world, highly noted for its graceful shapes and beautiful decorations. It has the feel of lightness and delicacy, while maintaining unusual strength. Its glaze is of remarkable brilliance and hardness.
Since Pickard began producing limited edition collectors plates and bowls, the company has been the recipient of several awards including:
Best Manufacturer of Limited Editions by the National Association of Limited Edition Dealers four times
Plate of The Year by the Bradford Exchange, Ltd. three times - the most for any manufacturer
Best Manufacturer of Limited Editions by readers of Plate Collector magazine for seven consecutive years
Pickard has manufactured a wide spectrum of collectors plates, the range of subjects including reproductions of religious works by the old masters such as Alba Madonna by Raphael, the Lockhart Wildlife Series, Children of Renoir, Mother's Love and Let's Pretend by Irene Spencer and Gems of Nature by Cyndi Nelson. The Presidential Bowl, celebrating the bicentennial of the U.S. Presidency, was introduced in 1989. The first order for the bowl was placed personally by President George Bush.
In 1977, Pickard was selected by the U.S. Department of State to manufacture the official service of china used by our embassies and other diplomatic missions around the world. The special decoration has an embossed gold border of stars and stripes and an embossed reproduction of the Great Seal of The United States. The contract to produce the embassy service has been renewed twice since that time, following competition open to all American manufacturers.
Pickard has also been selected to produce exclusive fine china services for heads of state and many prestigious hotels, restaurants and corporations. The King of Saudi Arabia, Hilton, Sheraton and Marriott hotels, General Motors, The U.S. Air Force, Gracie Mansion and the United Nations are among a few who have chosen Pickard for their finest dining. Other distinctive custom Pickard fine china services have also been crafted for Air Force One, Blair House and Camp David.
The original Pickard manufacturing plant is located at the following address:
Pickard, Incorporated
782 Pickard Avenue
Antioch IL 60002
USA
Phone: 847-395-3800
Fax: 847-395-3827
www.PickardChina.com
Finest@PickardChina.com
Back to Retail Table of Contents