I have collected Pfaltzgraff for many years. There is probably no piece in my collection that gets more attention than my Muggsys! They truely are a conversation starter! Since I have had many requests about this fascinating line I'd like to share what information I have with all who care to read on!
In the late 1940's Pfaltzgraff took a turn for the better when sales took on great profits. The Muggsy line was introduced in the late 1940's & early 1950's making Pfaltzgraff's competitors envious of this orignal giftware line. This unique line was designed by Dorothy & Norman Jessop of Baltimore, MD. When Norman took ill & was not able to work he found himself at home designing character mugs. With no factual information, it is presumed that Dorothy may have painted them once Norman had modelled them. Seeking a manufacture for their giftware they stopped at Pfaltzgraff's West York plant and Pfaltzgraff soon began production.
Probably the best known in the Muggsy era are six character mugs called; Jerry the Jerk, Handsome Herman, Sleepy Sam, Flirty Gertie, Pickled Pete, & Cockeyed Charlie. Early production shows facial features protruding from the mug with "Pfaltzgraff" written in a curve on the bottom of mug & the characters name below, while later ones have hair, lips, & eyebrows painted on a smooth surface & lists the charaters name first on the bottom of the mug.
Also produced was a set of 6 sportsman mugs, sometimes called sporty mugs. Their names consist of : Diamond Dick (baseball player), Fairway Freddie (golfer), Rodney Reel (fisherman), Brawney Bertram (body builder), Pigskin Pete (football player), & Muscles Moe (boxer) .
I have discovered a brown glazed Muggsy face and have seen two others. I don't know however if Pfaltzgraff did a full set of six like the orignal Muggsys. If you have any information on this please give me an email.
There are two miniature mugs called Nick & Jigger, rumor has it there may be a third. I have seen these called cigerette servers. Ashtrays also were made in the Muggsy style & named Burnie. I have found two color variations on this guy!
Six tumblers were also made, all were given the same names as the orignal 6 mugs except, Rugged Richard was named in place of Flirty Gertie.
To do the tedious ironing of the 1950's women could have Mytrle the Sprinkler to help them. There were cookie jars like Derby Dan & a catch all container by the name of Handy Harry. I have also heard names like Pretzel Pete & Herky Jerky, but have not seen them for myself.
Four character bottle stoppers were made & items like Ko-Ko the clown mug, Ho-Ho the elephant dish, & Yo-Yo the Giraffe plate were produced to enlighten children. There may be a second Ko-Ko the clown, unmarked.
Many cookie jars were available. Names like, Old Lady In The Shoe, Cookie Time, Cookie Cop, Clown On Drum, Cookie House, Merry-Go-Round, Floral Jar,French Chef, Cookie Bag, & Cookie Train. At Least three were painted like the Muggsy style but only Derby Dan has the Muggsy stamp. Canope Carrie is also a unique dish to this popular gift line.
Pfaltzgraff continued it's production of the Muggsy line until 1960. It was a line that was introduced into many cities across the United States by Woolworths Department Stores.
