In July 2004 there were more than 60 pieces of pottery originally made by the Nelson McCoy Pottery Co., have been reproduced by others in an attempt to replicate the original. These pieces, commonly called reproductions, are look a-likes, that is, they look like authentic pieces but they are not.
The question that arises is, “How does one tell an original from a look a-like?” Non-authentic pieces are typically smaller than the original. This is due to the fact that reproduction makers use an original piece to form the mold from which the reproductions are made. Since clay shrinks when it dries and shrinks some more when it is fired in the kiln the reproductions are smaller than the original.
When purchases are made in person collectors have a direct way of protecting themselves from acquiring non-authentic pieces. This can be done by first measuring the height, or length, of the piece being considered for purchase. Then comparing that height, or length, to an authentic piece. As a rule of thumb, when the height or length of a suspect piece smaller than the original by six percent or more, the piece is most probably not authentic.
But what if the needed dimension of the prospective piece is unknown or an Internet seller does not give exact information? Many times sellers will respond with something imprecise like, “The vase is about eight inches tall, or the planter is nearly nine inches long.” In cases such as this the old adage “Buyer Beware” must be applied. Most Internet sellers cooperate with buyers, but there are many, and their numbers are growing, that are intent on deception. Some Internet sellers hide behind “Private Auctions.” The following sentences in Italics are quoted from Ebay. Want to let bidders on your item remain anonymous? When you use Private Auction, your bidders’ User IDs won’t be displayed on the item listing or bidding-history screens. When the auction is over, only you, the seller, will know who bought the item. Please don’t make your auction private unless you have a specific reason, such as potential embarrassment for bidders and the buyer.
What circumstance would cause a need for someone to sell a simple piece of pottery through a Private Auction? What really needs to be private? To me, the answer is nothing, unless what you are selling is not what you imply it is. The current Private Auction rules established by Ebay protect Ebay and the seller more that they protect the buyer. Consider the last sentence in the quote from Ebay. Paraphrasing the quote they are saying to sellers, use the Private Auction if the buyer might be embarrassed. Of course a buyer would be embarrassed if he were to unexpectedly buy a reproduction. The buyer will probably find out the truth sooner or later, but it is obvious that Ebay doesn’t want a buyer to be embarrassed until after the auction is over and Ebay has gotten their fees – then it is okay. By their rules Ebay is saying it’s all right to hide behind a Private Auction, even if you are trying to pawn off some non-authentic item on the unsuspecting public. So, with all of this Ebay and seller protection, what is an Ebay buyer supposed to do to have some protection. What could be done is never bid on anything that is offered in a Private Auction. Most buyers don’t have anything to hide, and most of them don’t want the seller to hide anything either. So ask your self, “Does this auction really need to be private?” Also, take a look at the other items sellers that use Private Auctions have listed. You will normally see one reproduction after another.
Buyers should also keep up to date on the pieces that are being reproduced. The reproductions discovered so far are given on the following table. To provide a means to identify these non-authentic pieces, the height or length of each original piece is given. Also given is the reference McCoy Pottery – A Collectors Reference and Value Guide by Hanson, Nissen, Hanson, or in one case as noted, Huxfords Collectors Encyclopedia of McCoy Pottery. In the indicated volume and on the page given of the reference you can find a picture of the authentic piece named.
I would like to give a special thanks to Frank (Floraline) Poolas who assisted in the preparation of this list of reproductions.
Cookie Jars
Bear – Hamm’s Vol II p270 Height 12½”
Bear – Hillbilly Vol II p295 Height??
Betsy Baker Vol II p278 Height 10″
Boy on Baseball Vol II p287 Height 13″
Boy on Football Vol II p287 Height 11 ½”
Chairman Board Vol II p290 H 10 5/8″
Chef – Bust Vol II p256 Height 10″
Clown – Bust Vol II p225 Height 10 ½”
Cook Stove Vol II p253 Height 9 5/8″
Country Stove Vol II p258 Height 10″
Dalmations – In Chair VolII p249 H10 ½”
Davy Crockett Vol II p241 Height 10 ¼”
Dog – Hound Vol II p283 Height 10 ½”
Dog – In Dog House Vol II p289 Height 10″
Freddie the Gleep Vol II p276 Height 11″
Hobby Horse Vol II p233 Height 10″
Indian Head Vol II p236 Height 11″
Jack O’Lantern Vol II p237 Height 8 5/8″
Leprechaun Vol II p245 Height 12″
Mammy Vol III p224 Height 11″
Mammy w/ Cauliflower Vol II p222 H11″
Penquin – Standing Vol II p22 Height 10 ½”
Rooster Vol II p237 Height 10 ½”
Teepee (both lids) Vol II p241 Height 11″
Touring Car Vol II p256 Height 6 7/8″
Train Engine Vol II p255 Height 8 ½”
Wren House (both type lids) Vol II p243 H 9 ¼”
Ashtray
Bird on Flower Vol I. Pg. 146 Width 6″
Bank
Seaman Sailor Vol. I Pg 311 Height 5 ¾”
Dog Dish
Man’s Best Friend Vol I p130 Width 7 ½”
Hanging Basket
Cone shaped Vol I p147 Height 3 ½”
Lamp
Whaling man Vol III p96 Height 16″
Pitcher
Bird W/Cherries and Leaves Vol II p29 Height 5″
Planters
Frog with Leaf Vol I p235 Length 7 ½”
Miniature Fish Vol I p86 Length 4 ½”
Miniature Pony Vol I p85 Length 5 3/8″
Miniature Turtle Vol I p93 Length 4 ¼”
Scottie Planting Dish Vol I p160 Length 8″
Turtle Vol II p187 Length 8″
Pots & Saucers
Diamond Pattern Vol I p147 Widths 4″, 5″, & 6″
Greek Key Pattern Vol I 251 Widths 4″, 5″, & 6″
Vases
Butterfly Vol I p104 Width 7 ½”
Chrysanthemum Vol I p165 Height 8″
Double Tulip(Low) Vol I p169 Height 6 ½”
Double Tulip (Tall) Vol II p70 Height 8″
Hand Holding Shell Vol I p60 Height 8 ½”
Hand, Closed Fingers Vol I p79 H 8¼”
Hand, Open Fingers Vol I p78 H 6 ½”
Heart Vol II p68 Height 6″
Leaves & Berries Huxford p157 H 5 ¾”
Pitcher Vol I p217 Height 9″
Strawberry Vol I p220 Height 8″
Swan Vol II p86 Height 9″
Tulip Vol I p133 Height 8″
Uncle Sam’s Head Vol I p142 Height 7 ½”
Wallpockets
Flower with Bird Vol I p117 Height 6 ½”
Lady with Bonnet Vol I p110 Height 8″
Leaf Vol I p119 Height 7″
Leaves & Berries Vol III p118 Height 7″
Mail Box Vol I p116 Height 6 ¾”
Floraline
No. 449 Fine Form Vase Similar to Vol III p298 “K” Height 7 7/8