Frankoma Pottery

Before it was Frankoma Pottery, the company was called Frank Potteries. In 1933 John Frank, teaching Art and Pottery at the University of Oklahoma, was inspired to use clay deposits from Oklahoma. With only a small kiln, a butter churn for mixing clay and jars for glazes, a pottery studio was started in Norman, Oklahoma. Grace Lee and John Frank worked together at Frank Potteries producing art pottery.

The name of the company was changed in 1936 from Frank Potteries to Frankoma Pottery -- still using the Frank name, but including the last three letters from Oklahoma. It was in 1938 that the company moved to Sapulpa Oklahoma, west of Tulsa and about 110 miles from the city of Norman. Several months after the move, a fire destroyed the factory, the first of two fires to ravage the company.

Clay from Ada Oklahoma was used until 1954, at which time the Franks switched to Sapulpa clay. Ada clay fired to a light beige color, whereas the Sapulpa clay fires to a reddish, terra cotta color.

The signature line of Frankoma Pottery dinnerware, Wagon Wheel, was introduced in 1942. According to the Frankoma Family Collector's Association, "Frankoma became the pioneer in colored tableware, with designs in bold bas-relief, never before presented to the public". Other very popular items include the political mugs and the Christmas plates.

Artist daughter Joniece Frank became President of the company when John Frank passed away in 1973 at the age of 69.

The factory was destroyed once again in 1983 at the peak of success. And once again the factory was re-built, but never quite recovered the same success. After a bankruptcy, the family business was sold in 1991 to an out-of-state investor, H. Bernstein.

The company closed its doors December 31, 2004. There were hopes that the plant would reopen in a few months with a new buyer.

New Buyers
Pottery lovers didn't have to wait long, July 1 the good news ws that that Det and Crystal Merryman, of the Merrymac Collection, purchased the Frankoma Pottery Company. From The Journal Record, Merryman says: "The deal will close Friday (July 1) and we hope to have the factory store opened Saturday". The name will change to Frankoma Inc.

The plans to produce the Merrymac ceramic dog line at Frankoma never materalized, but the company continued the Frankoma line.

The Frankoma plant closed again for six weeks during the summer of 2008 for the sale transition of new owners once again, reopening on August 18th. The new owner, Joe Ragosta, told the Tulsa World "I've always been a collector of antiques, and I recognize a great name when I see one."

Ragosta plans to bring back all the employees and move forward with the Frankoma brand collectibles.

The look of Frankoma is an acquired taste, the southwestern feel and unusual colored glazes do not appeal to everyone. And although Frankoma Pottery has been around for many years, until recently it has not gained much respect with pottery enthusiasts. That trend has been changing and although average prices might never reach the values of some of the its northern cousins -- the Ohio potteries, prices have been increasing. The combination of art pottery pieces, along with the southwestern appeal of the dinnerware, political mugs, souvenirs and even religious pieces has enough diversity to appeal to many pottery lovers.

The newest purchase by Tulsan and antique collector Joe Ragosta will bring new life to the company. As a former factory operator, he should bring a new dimension to the company's operations that will help their bottom line and continued steady operations.