PM&M / Germany / Bavaria :

Cortendorf (Coburg-Cortendorf)

[1] : Porzellanfabrik Julius Griesbach (1890 until 1973)

In 1890, Julius Griesbach founded this factory in Cortendorf (today part of the city of Coburg) which is also the home of the Hermann family that produced the famous Hermann teddy bears. The factory was able to utilize many different materials and next to a few porcelain items it actually mainly produced various household stoneware items including a large variety of mostly animal-shaped cofee and tea pots, most of which were sold unmarked to the U.S. company of ⇒Ebeling & Reuss from Philadelphia. Especially during the period between 1955 and 1960 the wall masks that were produced by the Cortendorf factory created a hype in Germany but the factory also received the 'iF' award in 1958 for the casserole series 'Brilliant'. Further 'iF' awards were rewarded in 1959 for the casserole 'Kasserolle 9571a', a not further defined dessert bowl and the bowls named 'Schüssel 9580' and 'Schüssel 9578'.

Around 1963, the Cortendorf factory presented an additional series which matched the demand for 'teak style' items. These items were produced at the Achental-Keramik Gertraute Griesbach in Staudach-Grassau but concept, design and marking (a crowned 'RS') came from the interior decoration studio Raumschmuck Dr. Irmgard Fenner which was connected to the Griesbach family per business and family bonds. All own production ended after the factory was taken over by the famous W. Goebel company from Rödental in 1973.

Marks

Image 1-01

Early Cortendorf mark surrounded by a single-line frame with the addition 'FOREIGN'.
(Picture: Rachel, Pam & Bruce)

Image 1-02

Used from 1952 until around 1960, a 'C' under a stylized crown (often mistaken with the letter 'W') surrounded by 'MADE IN WESTERN GERMANY'.

Image 1-03

This one clearly shows the 'crown' as three lines and the surrounding 'MADE IN WESTERN GERMANY'.
(Picture: Rachel, Pam & Bruce)

Image 1-04

This one shows the frame surrounding 'MADE IN WESTERN GERMANY' as single line.
(Picture by Annie Esgro)

Image 1-05

This one shows the frame surrounding 'MADE IN WESTERN GERMANY' as single line.
(Picture by Fran Kerbs)

Image 1-06

Used from around 1960, the Cortendorf logo over 'W. GERMANY'.
(Picture by Fran Kerbs)

Image 1-07

'CORTENDORF' over 'MADE IN W. GERMANY' over script ⇒HANDGEMALT.

Image 1-08

Just the name 'CORTENDORF' with the addition 'MADE IN W. GERMANY' underneath in small print and 'HANDGEMALT'.
(Picture by Fran Kerbs)

Image 1-09

Sticker version just showing the logo over 'CORTENDORF', no country of origin stated.

Image 1-10

Another sticker version. 'CORTENDORF' above 'HANDGEMALT' over 'MADE IN W. GERMANY'.
(Picture by Fran Kerbs)

Image 1-11

Simple impressed version of the 'Cortendorf' mark, without any country of origin ...

Image 1-12

... and the same as stamped version.
(Picture by Fran Kerbs)

Image 1-13

Used between 1950 and 1973, a crowned 'C' over 'CORTENDORF' (shown here with 'FOREIGN' addition).
(Picture by Sandra Munday)

Image 1-14

Used between 1958 and 1973, a crowned 'Friedrichsburg'.
(Picture by Heiko Haine)

Image 1-15

Used between 1958 and 1973, typical example of the previously mentioned mark in green.

Image 1-16

Used between 1958 and 1973, the not often encountered 'KRONEN-C' mark.

[ ⇒back to top ]