Everyone Loved It In The '60s — The Rare Pottery Pattern Worth Hunting For

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Don't you just love how cyclical decor trends are? If your parents or grandparents held onto the tableware from their early married years, it's probably come back into style by now. In fact, the same patterned pottery people ate cornbread and summer squash on 40 or 50 years ago may be the hot items that thrifters are hunting for today — especially if those dishes feature a specific blue motif. Yup, we're talking about Pfaltzgraff's Yorktowne collection of stoneware kitchen items. This popular pottery from the '60s is highly sought after by collectors and worth more than you might have imagined.  The range includes dinnerware, like plates, bowls, and coffee cups, as well as pitchers, canisters, and butter dishes, among other kitchen necessities.

Pfaltzgraff is one of those vintage pottery brands to be on the lookout for at the thrift store because there are many fans of the collection, all of whom covet its timeless colonial American designs — despite, or perhaps due to, its discontinuation in 2007. If you were around in 1967, you may remember the debut of the brand's light gray and blue patterned stoneware dishes that featured primarily floral motifs. Or perhaps you're more familiar with Pfaltzgraff's simpler pieces printed with a framed number or word in Gothic-style lettering. The first time you dined on this dinnerware, you may not have known that the Yorktowne pattern was influenced by Pennsylvania Dutch folk art. The Pfaltzgraff family pottery hails, after all, from York County, Pennsylvania, over 200 years ago.

Whether you're a serious thrifter hoping to score some valuable items to resell, or you're simply looking for some vintage dishware brands to bring your kitchen retro charm, it's worth keeping an eye out for Pfaltzgraff Yorktowne crockery. Not surprisingly, dishes, crocks, and canisters in pristine condition are considered the most valuable items, as are complete dinnerware sets. Collectors will also pay top dollar for rare or unusual Yorktowne patterns and designs, such as the teddy bear-shaped spoon rests. To determine if your secondhand find is an earlier heritage piece, turn it over and examine the base. It should have the Pfaltzgraff family castle stamped on the base. Many pieces also have a backstamp that says Pfaltzgraff USA or Pfaltzgraff York, PA.

If you're after authentic mid-century Yorktowne wares, beware of modern reproductions. The Pfaltzgraff company, which was acquired by Lifetime Brands in 2005, has since revived the popular blue floral motif on stoneware dishes, which you can purchase brand new. Of course, while there's nothing wrong with buying these reissues, their existence only serves to make their vintage '60s and '70s counterparts more sought-after. In particular, Pfaltzgraff's Yorktowne stoneware crocks and canisters are a simple vintage thrift find whose value may surprise you — if you can find one. Single canisters boast price tags of around $80. Complete sets, which are old and increasingly rare, can sell for over $200.