Disc Pitchers

Disc Pitcher Group - Post 86 Reference Guide

Disc Pitcher Information


Disc Pitcher– Large

Holds 67-1/4 oz. – Measures 7-1/4″ height x 8″ wide x 4″ deep.
Item Number: 0484
Backstamp Style: Incised – with or without an embossed “H” as described below
Introduced 1986
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Large Disc Pitchers - Post 86 Reference Guide

Produced in the following colors – White, Black, Rose, Apricot, Cobalt Blue, Yellow, Turquoise, Periwinkle Blue, Sea Mist Green, Lilac, Persimmon, Sapphire, Chartreuse, Pearl Gray, Juniper, Cinnabar, Sunflower, Plum, Shamrock, Tangerine, Scarlet, Peacock, Heather, Evergreen, Ivory, Chocolate, Lemongrass, Paprika, Marigold, Flamingo, Lapis, Poppy, Slate, Sage, Claret, Daffodil, Mulberry, Meadow, Butterscotch, Twilight, Peony, Jade, Sky

It was NOT produced in the following colors – Foundry

  • These were produced at both HLC and The Hall China Company (which The Homer Laughlin China Company bought in 2010).  With the sale of HLC and Hall China (2020) the pitchers are now being produced only at the FTC facility in Newell, WV.  
  • Is it a disk pitcher or a disc pitcher? That is the million-dollar question to so many collectors. Here are my thoughts from the research I have done on this topic. From reviewing HLC’s product shape sheets from 1986 to 2018, HLC called the pitcher a “disk pitcher” in the original 1986 product shape sheet. It appears HLC used the same graphics in their 1987 brochure. However, all product shape sheets since 1988 have shown the pitcher as a “disc pitcher.” So, it looks like large pitchers were only called “disk pitchers” for about two years (1986-1987). Before 1986 the Vintage, Amberstone/Casualstone, and Fiesta® Ironstone pitchers were called a “disc water jug.”
  • In March 2019, Shamrock, Ivory, and Slate were taken out of the production line up.
  • With the introduction of Twilight in 2021 – FTC added Cobalt Blue to the out of production line up. 
  • With the introduction of Peony in 2022- FTC added Mulberry to the out of production line up. 

  • In the 8-8-2023 shape sheet FTC notes that this set would only be produced in the following colors – White, Turquoise, Scarlet, Lapis, Daffodil, Peony, and Jade.

  • With the introduction of Sky in 2024, it was added to the production line up making 8 colors available. 
Large Pitcher Early Production Number Sticker - Post 86 Reference Guide

 

  • The illustration to the left shows an early original production number 0746 for the large disc pitcher. It was later changed to 0484.
Large Pitcher No Embossed H - Post 86 Reference Guide
  • With the introduction of Pearl Gray (1999), to help with identifying Post 86 pieces from similar Vintage Fiesta® items, HLC added an embossed “H” as part of the backstamp to certain items.
  • Colors released prior to Pearl Gray (1999) may or may not have the embossed “H” as part of the backstamp. (These would only be the colors that were in production at the time Pearl Gray was introduced.)
  • The Lilac pitcher illustrated to the left, was produced before Pearl Gray and does not have the embossed “H”.
  • The Pearl Gray pitcher illustrated to the right, shows the embossed “H” which was added with the introduction of Pearl Gray.
Large Pitcher With Embossed H - Post 86 Reference Guide

 

  • You will notice that some large disc pitchers will have an embossed “ ׀ H ׀ ” with a vertical line on either side of the “H” as illustrated to the right.  This style backstamp represents that the pitcher was made at the Hall China plant, which HLC purchased in 2010.
Large Pitcher Hall Backstamp - Post 86 Reference Guide
  • Jonathan Parry (former HLC art director) designed the below prototype pitcher with the 60th anniversary of Fiesta® in mind. You can see his hand-written notation on the base “1st annv. pc.” as well as “60th” incised into the backstamp. This pitcher was made from a prototype vintage pitcher mold. This specific pitcher sold at Strawser Auctions in March 2018 for $1200.00.
Prototype 60th Pitcher - Post 86 Reference Guide
Prototype 60th Pitcher Base - Post 86 Reference Guide
Prototype 60th Pitcher Side View - Post 86 Reference Guide
Dimple Example in Pitchers - Post 86 Reference Guide
  • You can tell the difference between Vintage disc water jug (left) and Post 86 (right) large disc pitcher. In the illustration to the left, if you look where the top of the handle attaches to the body, the Vintage pitcher will not have the dimple that a Post 86 pitcher will have. However, the Post 86 pitchers produced at the Hall China factory may not have the dimple like the pitchers produced at the HLC factory. So, make sure you check the backstamp as the Hall pitchers will have the embossed “ ׀ H ׀ .”

Vintage – measures 7-1/2” height x 8-3/4” wide

  • Amberstone/Casualstone/Fiesta® Ironstone pitchers were made from the Vintage Fiesta® molds but without the Fiesta® back stamp.
  • It is not uncommon to find the pitchers with a “Fiesta” backstamp as shown in the illustration to the right.
Amberstone Backstamps - Post 86 Reference Guide

Fiesta® Ironstone was produced in Antique Gold only.
Amberstone/Casualstone/Fiesta® Ironstone– measures 7-1/2” height x 8-3/4” wide
(Casualstone/Fiesta® Ironstone not shown)

Fun Fact –

  • March 2022 a rare vintage Fiesta® Maroon water pitcher was sold at Strawser Auctions for $9,000.00 + buyers premium. 
Mini Pitchers - Post 86 Reference Guide

Disc Pitcher – Miniature / Mini

Holds 5 oz. – Measures 3-1/4″ height x 3-1/2″ wide x 1-5/8″ deep.
Item Number: 0475
Backstamp Style: Incised
Introduced 1993
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Produced in the following colors – White, Black, Rose, Apricot, Cobalt Blue, Yellow, Turquoise, Periwinkle Blue, Sea Mist Green, Lilac, Persimmon, Chartreuse, Pearl Gray, Juniper, Cinnabar, Sunflower, Plum, Shamrock, Tangerine, Scarlet, Peacock, Heather, Evergreen, Ivory, Chocolate, Lemongrass, Paprika, Marigold, Flamingo, Lapis, Poppy, Slate, Sage, Claret, Daffodil, Mulberry, Meadow, Butterscotch, Twilight, Peony, Jade, Sky

It was NOT produced in the following colors – Sapphire, Foundry

  • With the introduction of Butterscotch in 2020 – FTC stopped producing the mini pitcher in Shamrock, Ivory and Slate
  • With the introduction of Twilight in 2021 – FTC added Cobalt Blue to the out of production line up.
  • Sapphire mini pitchers are known to exist. Strawser Auction has sold a few, one sold in March 2016 for $950.00, another in  March 2017 for $1,000.00. The latest sales have increased.  March 2022 one sold for $2,100.00 then in November 2022 another one sold for $2,750.00    Remember that does not include the buyers premium of 18% – 23%.   (Photo courtesy of Strawser Auctions)
  • A Raspberry mini pitcher is known to exist. 
Sapphire Mini - Photo Courtesy of Strawser Auction - Post 86 Reference Guide
Pest Mini Pitcher - Post 86 Reference Guide

 

  • These two illustrations show two unique experimental glazed miniature pitchers. From my research, I believe the one on the left is either Pesto or Sepia glaze and the two pitchers on the right are Indigo glaze.
Indigo Mini Pitchers - Post 86 Reference Guide
Small Disc Pitchers - Post 86 Reference Guide

Disc Pitcher – Small – No longer in production to general retailers

Holds 28 oz. – Measures 5-5/8″ height x 6-1/2″ wide x 3″ deep.
Item Number: 0485
Backstamp Style: Incised – with or without an embossed “H” as described below.
Introduced 1986
Discontinued 5/2013 – to all general retailers
*HLC / FTC Exclusive 2016 – Colors produced after / during  2016 were / are exclusive to HLC/FTC and sold at their retail outlet stores and website. 

Produced in the following colors – White, Black, Rose, Apricot, Cobalt Blue, Yellow, Turquoise, Periwinkle Blue, Sea Mist Green, Lilac, Persimmon, Chartreuse, Pearl Gray, Juniper, Cinnabar, Sunflower, Plum, Shamrock, Tangerine, Scarlet, Peacock, Heather, Evergreen, Ivory, Chocolate, Lemongrass, Paprika, Marigold, Flamingo, Lapis, *Poppy, *Slate, *Sage, *Claret, *Daffodil, *Mulberry, *Meadow, *Butterscotch, *Twilight, *Peony, *Jade, *Sky, *Linen

It was NOT produced in the following colors –  Sapphire, Foundry  

  • Juniper small disc pitchers were sold exclusively through Shadle Enterprises to independent retailers.
Sapphire Juice Pitcher - Photo Courtesy of Strawser Auctions - Post 86 Reference Guide

 

  • Sapphire small disc pitchers are known to exist. 
  • One sold at Strawser Auctions in November 2022 for $3,000.00 + buyers premium.  (Photo courtesy of Strawser Auctions)

 

  • The illustration to the right shows the original production number for the small disc pitcher as 747. It was later changed to 485.
Original Production Number Sticker - Post 86 Reference Guide
Embossed H vs No H - Post 86 Reference Guide
  • With the introduction of Pearl Gray (1999), to help with identifying Post 86 pieces from similar Vintage Fiesta® items, HLC added an embossed “H” as part of the backstamp to certain items.
  • Colors released prior to Pearl Gray (1999) may or may not have the embossed “H” as part of the backstamp. (These would only be the colors that were in production at the time Pearl Gray was introduced.)
  • Illustrated to the left is a Periwinkle Blue small disc pitcher (left) that was produced prior to Pearl Gray and does not have the embossed “H”. The Rose small disc pitcher (right) was produced after the introduction of Pearl Gray and has the embossed “H”.
  • The illustration to the right shows the mold for the base/backstamp for a small disc pitcher. Note the embossed “H” (bottom/right corner)
Small Pitcher Mold Base - Post 86 Reference Guide
Two Tone Juice Pitcher - Post 86 Reference Guide
  • Mistakes happen, even at HLC. For example, there were some two-tone small disc pitchers produced. The pitchers ended up being Periwinkle Blue on the outside and Turquoise on the inside. (Pitcher courtesy of Tina Gump.)
  • In the illustration to the right, note the Post 86 pitcher (right) has a dimple at the top of the handle (inside) and the Vintage (left) does not.
  • It is often possible to feel the dimples on a Post 86 small pitcher by using your finger.

  • Vintage juice pitchers hold 30 oz. – measure 6-1/2” wide (spout to handle) x 3-1/2” wide x 6” height.
    Produced in Red, Yellow, Gray, Harlequin Yellow and Celadon Green.

Small Pitcher Post 86 Vs Vintage - Post 86 Reference Guide
Celedon Pitcher and Tumbler Set - Photo Courtesy of the Family of Candy Fagerlin - Post 86 Reference Guide

Fun Fact – 

  • In 1948, HLC introduced this 7 piece promotional Vintage Fiesta® juice set. It was made to celebrate HLC’s 75th anniversary in the ceramic industry (1873-1948) and to introduce their new Jubilee dinnerware line. The Vintage small juice pitcher was glazed in Jubilee’s Celadon Green glaze and the Vintage juice tumblers glazed in the Jubilee colors of Shell Pink, Mist Gray, and Cream Beige. (Two in each color)
    (Photo courtesy of the Candy Fagerlin family (The Little Round Table) )

 

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update 4-2025 – Small Pitcher – Linen added, vintage colors added, backstamp link added  (MC)

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