At M 0 NTHLY JULY 1953 • ~.', • a." first annual "S H 0 W T I M E" issue ~k NO MORE LOST COPIES i ~jttl~ ~- NO MORE FRAYED EDGES ~," HOLDS AN ENTIRE YEAR'S ISSUES ~" KEEPS VALUABLE REFERENCE MATERIAL HANDY ~°~..... Now you can BIND your copies of Ceramics Monthly Now you can keep your copies of "Ceramics Monthly" looking neat and fresh in this attractive green binder. "Ceramics Monthly" is stamped in gold leaf on both the front panel and backbone for quick identification. These durable binders have been manufactured and designed for "Ceramics Monthly" by one of the country's leading binder houses. Steel blades Order Now,/ hold the copies firmly in placemyour copies can not fall out! You'll find this handsome binder to be Price $3.00 a wonderful addition to your library. (Ohio Residents adcl 9c Sales Tax) we pay postage send check or money order to CERAMICS MONTHLY 3494 N. High St. Columbus 14, Ohio PARAGON AMERICA'S Most IMITATED Kiln Get the advantage of the "Know-how" and Ex- perience that has made Paragon the fastest selling portable electric kiln in America. Paragon Performance-Proven designs have been used for years in schools, institutions, and com- mercial studios. Check any kiln's feature then Compare w,ith Para- gon-you will find Paragon the Outstandhag Kiln. Full line of kilns ~ to 6 cu. ft. available for im- mediate shipment. Quotations on larger eloctric and fuel fired kilns on request. Located at one of the nation's major transportation centers. All shipments in approved crating. Fast, insured service anywhere. Factory guarantee backed by a nation-wide dealer organization assures you of complete satisfaction wherever you may be. Model 1t-17 Max. Temp. 2300 deg. F. Why Buy A Copy- A Paragon Costs No More Non-Sag Element Installation, first introduced 3-Way switches for each element, pioneered by by Paragon in the low priced kiln field, plus Ex- Paragon, gives control of ALL of the kiln in both tra-heavy Kanthal elements give Paragon high- heating and cooling. Allows the kiln operator to fire kilns an element life never before possible, vary the firing cycle to fit the need of the ware and placed porcelain and stoneware firing within in the kiln without waste of electricity. range of all. No Supply Problem--The facilities of one of the New Model 5-3--Firing Chamber: 13 inches wide largest plants devoted exclusively to the manu- by 131/4 inches high, priced at less than $100. facture of portable kilns and pottery making Dust-proof interior; Non-Sag element install- equipment assure prompt shipment and con- ation; 3-Way switches for each element; Max. tinued service. Temp. 2300 deg. F. ; ll5-volt operation. Large Stocks Of: Paasche Air Painting Equipment; Atlas Spray Units; Electric Sprayit portable equipment; Kiln-Gards; Orton Cones; Kiln Furniture Free Cafalog PARAGON INDUSTRIES Electric Kiln Division--P. O. Box 4654, Dallas 6, Texas. JULY ~953 I letters NEW INEXPENSIVE KILN ~ Ideal far Designed for the firing Trade Secrets? of enamels that have Gentlemen : been applied to one side of a metal piece. Pieces My wife [Rachel] was one of the early up to 43/8" in diameter subscribers to CERAMICS MONTHLY. From and It/z" high may be the first, CERAMICS MONTHLY has proven fired in this kiln. its leadership. $ Reaches enameling We became interested in Indian pottery temperatures quickly • Sturdy and simple back in the 30s . Fifteen years later I construction was doing a radio program over KPHO at • Low cost, trouble Phoenix . and I had a teacher of ceramics free operation as my radio guest. [Rachel then] became a FREE student, and we encountered that barrier 'Enameling on of "trade secrets" for the first time. The Copper and kiln and firing weren't for the student. Other Metals" The source of glazes was a closely guarded by Thomas E. "trade secret.'" My wife finished without Thompson having seen her instructor's kiln. This illustrated 40- page book answers FOR THE However, I had no trouble locating supply your questions houses • . about fascinating • . Improvements and progress are due metal enameling • . techniques, IN CERAMIC COLORS to a free exchange of ideas. Consequently, tools, and equip- CERAMICS MONTHLY'S policy in that respect ment, types of puts it at the top as the leading publication enameling, firing. ARTISTS SETS in its field. I am willing to say that on the finishing, etc. radio air, and everything I have said on the NOW AVAILABLE •.. consisting of twenty-five Over- air I've made stick. Complete Range of Enamel Colors BOB AMES Small Copper Trays glaze or Underglaze Selected Many articles -- enameled pins, belt buckles, Mesa, Ariz. buttons, ash trays, small bowls -- can be colors in glass vials, bakelite screw made. Teachers find enameling a medium of expression with functional as well as creative caps. Ideal for the student or am- Profiles with Pics qualities. WRITE TO ateur potter. Gentlemen : • . The "'Profile" on Carlton Ball and Aaron Bohrod (May issue) was "receiving Thomas C. Thompson Co. OVERGLAZE COLORS on the right antenna," if I may use the 1539 Deerfield Rd., Dept. C.M. latest juvenile clich6. I only hope that the Highland ParE, III. •.. for all types of Overglaze dec- rest of your subscribers enjoyed it half as much as I did. I had long wondered if oration. this surprising duet met, with others, the JANAN same importance as at the University of ELECTRIC POTTER'S WHEEL Wisconsin . The article answers the UNDERGLAZE COLORS question without doubt. PAUL ATOR •.. complete pallette of colors for Detroit, Mich. hand painting, spraying, banding ! Gentlemen: or printing. Pinks and Crimsons of I was delighted to see the change of pace unequalled beauty. in the "Profile" in your May issue. Although the other "Profiles" have been interesting, I always felt a little "'let down" because you 1. i GLAZE STAINS didn't include pictures of the subject's pot- i tery in the write-up . The article on • . of strong tinctorial strength, Ball and Bohrod was fascinating, and the photos of their pottery were "out of this i ground to the same high degree of world." I hope you will continue in this new i fineness as our superb line of Un- vein . I PATRIC1A HARVEY i derglaze Colors. Los Angeles, Calif. ! Gentlemen : BODY AND ENGOBE STAINS . Including photographs of the work of the "Profile'" subject is a step in the right • . finely ground to insure perfect direction! I hope this was not a "one-shot blending with the clay body or slip• affair" but will be a regular monthly feature . MARTHA GORHAM N OILS AND MEDIUMS Memphis, Tenn. Only $120.00 F.O.B. Plainfield The Potter's Wheel with years of proven DECALCOMANIA COLORS • The June "Profile" on Leza McVey performance in schools and colleges which followed May's "Ball-Bohrod" throughout the country. Variable speeds •.. in both Underglaze and Over- points up that this was not a "one, (0 to 180 R.P.M.). Foot pedal control. glaze. shotter." "Profiles with pictures" will Large 10" throwing head. All rotating parts in oillte bearings. Height 36", now be the by-word. --ED. pan 16 x 23 x 31/'2" deep• Use I/4 h.p. motor (not incl.) Machine gray finish- Poffer and Pot Must Be Good attractive red enamel top. Price with motor and switch installed $145.00. Send Gentlemen: for literature. MASON • . I have been greatly disturbed by the COLOR & CHEMICAL WORKS INC. comments of our foreign visitors. My good Janan Instrument Co. friend Bernard Leach says that about 90 per P. O. Box 89 Dept. C-3--Plalnfield, N.J. ',AST LIVERPOOL. OHI( cent of American pottery is bad. That is 2 CERAMICS MONTHLY perfectly understandable, for all through STOP STOP STOP history there was probably the same per- centage. The 10 per cent or less good pot- BY ACTUAL COUNT tery we have today of the past periods of culture is due to the desire of people of culture to treasure and care for posterity 1,082. MOLDS! the small percentage of the work produced that is considered the best of each period Where Else Can You Find of history. English, Japanese, Chinese, French, and Such A Complete Selection Italian pottery, all types of pottery are PLUS interesting, but probably only 10 per cent of the work of each country or of any of paragon kilns • delta brushes the best potters should be kept as examples ceram-ink • duncan e-z press of a period in a given culture. I resent the implication in the negative molds • sericrafter's water- statement that 90 per cent of American mount decals • atlas metal pottery is bad. I am proud of the 10 per cent of good American pottery. I hope some point stilts • gold-off t kemper day to contribute to that 10 per cent... tools • jane snead books DON'T THROW IT AWAY F. CARLTON BALL SAVE IT BY LETTING DR. Southern Illinois University PLUS ABRA70 GRIND OFF THOSE Carbondale, Ili. lace • clock works • hydro- UGLY GLAZE DRIPS AND STILT meters • tiles • sieve cloth • MARKS FROM THE BOTTOMS Gentlemen: • . A sincere, creative artist can't look cork • felt • crocks • glass OF YOUR WARE IN JIG TIME. at ancient pottery, and say, "'That's the way NO SPECIAL EQUIPMENT NEED- I'll work." Nor can he face himself from domes • vials • jars ED. JUST USE what lies behind him by moving to a new PLUS country. The work he produces is bound to ABRAZO be . the result of heredity and environ- all the many other items you ment.