
Biography Gale Turnbull
Gale Turnbull was born on Long Island, NY on Dec. 19, 1886. Turnbull studied in Paris under Guerin, Preissig, and Lasar. While there, he painted on the French coast with his close friend Abel Warshawsky. Leaving France, he arrived in Los Angeles about 1936 and worked as art director at Vernon Kilns. He died there on March 11, 1964. Member: American Ceramic Society. Exh: Knoedler Gallery (Paris), 1928; Riviera Beach Club (Hollywood), 1936. In: Brooklyn Museum; Luxembourg Museum.
“Organdie”. Organdie was designed by artist Gale Turnbull. It was the first plaid Vernonware and the other plaids (including my patterns Tam O’Shanter and Gingham) were inspired by this original design. The Organdie pattern was produced between 1937 and 1958.
Vernonware was a popular pottery line produced by the Vernon Kilns company from Vernon, California in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Over the years the Vernonware line included a variety of designs including solids, plaids, and florals. Vernon Kilns went out of business in 1958 and its molds and patterns were acquired by Metlox Pottery. Metlox produced some of the Vernon Kilns patterns as well as new patterns under a “Vernonware by Metlox” mark until Metlox went out of business in the 1970s.
Between 1937 – 1958, Vernon Kilns produced six lines of plaid dinnerware. The original pattern, “Organdie” was designed by artist Gale Turnbull and the other patterns were inspired by his original design.
I found a quote from a vintage advertisement that enthusiastically called the Tam O’Shanter design “fresh as Highland Heather …and warm as a Scottish brogue!” Who wouldn’t want dishes that charming serving up their cornflakes in the morning?
Vernonware was advertised as durable and versatile. They boasted a 25 year warranty against fading or cracking, even when washed in the dishwasher. They even suggested you could bake your meal directly in their dishes – taking dinner from oven to table in one step. I’ve never baked using my Vernonware dishes (nor do I use them in the microwave) but I can attest that after years of use my Vernonware is still as bright and cheerful as ever.
Gale Turnbull was born on Long Island, NY on Dec. 19, 1886. Turnbull studied in Paris under Guerin, Preissig, and Lasar. While there, he painted on the French coast with his close friend Abel Warshawsky. Leaving France, he arrived in Los Angeles about 1936 and worked as art director at Vernon Kilns. He died there on March 11, 1964. Member: American Ceramic Society. Exh: Knoedler Gallery (Paris), 1928; Riviera Beach Club (Hollywood), 1936. In: Brooklyn Museum; Luxembourg Museum.
“Organdie”. Organdie was designed by artist Gale Turnbull. It was the first plaid Vernonware and the other plaids (including my patterns Tam O’Shanter and Gingham) were inspired by this original design. The Organdie pattern was produced between 1937 and 1958.
Vernonware was a popular pottery line produced by the Vernon Kilns company from Vernon, California in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Over the years the Vernonware line included a variety of designs including solids, plaids, and florals. Vernon Kilns went out of business in 1958 and its molds and patterns were acquired by Metlox Pottery. Metlox produced some of the Vernon Kilns patterns as well as new patterns under a “Vernonware by Metlox” mark until Metlox went out of business in the 1970s.
Between 1937 – 1958, Vernon Kilns produced six lines of plaid dinnerware. The original pattern, “Organdie” was designed by artist Gale Turnbull and the other patterns were inspired by his original design.
I found a quote from a vintage advertisement that enthusiastically called the Tam O’Shanter design “fresh as Highland Heather …and warm as a Scottish brogue!” Who wouldn’t want dishes that charming serving up their cornflakes in the morning?
Vernonware was advertised as durable and versatile. They boasted a 25 year warranty against fading or cracking, even when washed in the dishwasher. They even suggested you could bake your meal directly in their dishes – taking dinner from oven to table in one step. I’ve never baked using my Vernonware dishes (nor do I use them in the microwave) but I can attest that after years of use my Vernonware is still as bright and cheerful as ever.