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Cable by Homer Laughlin
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Cable was made by Homer Laughlin from their earliest days in the 1870s until 1946. The line was named after the transatlantic telegraph cable. Many potteries in the United States and England had their own lines of Cable. There are subtle differences between the different maker's versions, but one constant is the use of cable embossing on handles, finials, and some trim. Anything with a handle (sugar, sauceboat, jugs, teapot, etc) was given rather ornate cable embossing that was simplified over time.

Plates, platters, bakers, nappies, rim soups, and fruit bowls were simply designed with wide rims and no ornamentation. Many Cable pieces would cross over into other groups such as White Granite Staples or Hotel Ware. Other Cable pieces, particularly the double egg cup, were picked up and used with various dinnerware lines throughout the years.

Below are just three of the many potteries that had their own version of Cable.


Cable covered dish by Cartwright Brothers

Cable sauceboat by Hall China

Cable teapot by Sebring Brothers


Cable started out with a rather extensive assortment which was cut back as the years went on. According to the 1929 general catalog, the assortment consisted of:
  • six sizes of oval bakers
  • two sizes of oyster bowls
  • covered butter
  • seven sizes of platters
  • double egg cup
  • small fruit bowl
  • seven sizes of jugs
  • two sizes of mugs
  • five sizes of plates
  • deep plate
  • sauceboat
  • covered sugar
During the 1930s, the line was trimmed even further when the mugs (which doubled as shaving mugs), covered sugar, and covered butter were discontinued. Finally, in February 1946, the remaining pieces of Cable were retired. This does not include the double egg cup which had become a pick up piece for many patterned dinnerware lines. It would last into the 1950s.

Since Cable was made for almost seventy-five years, it can be found with several different backstamps. Anything with a "Laughlin Brothers" mark comes from the 1870s. "Premium Stone China" marks are from the 1880s. The eagle over lion with Laughlin written out in cursive dates from the 1890s to circa 1905. Many of the pieces that were made after 1911 have a date code.


All of the following Cable examples were made by HLC in East Liverpool, Ohio and Newell, West Virginia.


Cable suaceboat from the 1870s.

Embossing detail.

Backstamp.


Cable individual spittoon. The marking dates it to the 1880s.

Cable covered dish.

Cable individual tea set.

Cable 30s (left) and 36s (right) oyster bowls.

The cable double egg cup became a pick up piece and was used with dinnerware lines when needed.


The second style Cable butter with its insert. Inserts were often listed as "drainers" in company catalogs.

Cable sugars. The rose pattern on the right is E-7104.

Cable sugars, regular in the back and two individual sugars in front.

Large Cable jugs decorated at the factory, 1917 left and 1924 right.

Medium size Cable jugs decorated by Cumbow and LeNoir.

Cable mugs, also known as Cable shaving mugs, came in two sizes: 30s (3 1/2" tall) and 36s (3 1/8" tall).

Personalized Cable Shaving mugs, size view.

Personalized Cable Shaving mugs, front view.

Cable slop jar, 16" tall.

Cable toilet ware ewer, 12" tall.

Cable covered toothbrush/razor holder.

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