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Identification

McCoy Pottery 'Spirit of Seventy-Six' Bicentennial Eagle Pitcher

Photo reference

2 uploaded photos

Overview

This is a classic American art pottery pitcher produced by the legendary McCoy Pottery Company to commemorate the United States Bicentennial.

Story

Produced by the McCoy Pottery Company in Roseville, Ohio, a prolific and beloved American art pottery manufacturer. This specific line was created to celebrate the 1976 US Bicentennial, drawing inspiration from early American folk art, specifically a carved wooden eagle from the National Gallery of Art. The secondary market for 1970s Bicentennial memorabilia is generally soft due to massive production runs and generational downsizing.

Maker / Origin

Unattributed

Condition & Value

Assuming standard secondhand condition based on the description. For McCoy pottery of this era, value depends heavily on the absence of chips, cracks, or severe crazing. The integrity of the brown drip glaze and the crispness of the eagle molding are the primary visible condition factors.

Full Research

See what it's actually worth.

Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

Market Analysis

The secondary market for 1970s Bicentennial memorabilia is generally soft due to massive production runs and generational downsizing. While McCoy pottery retains a dedicated collector base, their commemorative pieces usually trade at the lower end of the catalog. Buyers are typically casual nostalgia collectors or McCoy completists shopping on eBay, Etsy, and at local flea markets.

Value Drivers

▲ Exact maker attribution to McCoy Pottery appeals to dedicated brand collectors.

▲ Patriotic Bicentennial theme attracts niche Americana and nostalgia buyers.

▲ Distinctive two-tone drip glaze is a recognizable and popular McCoy aesthetic.

Concerns

▼ Mass-produced commemorative nature caps the secondary market ceiling.

▼ High shipping costs relative to the item's value often deter online buyers.

▼ Unverified physical condition—any hidden chips or hairline cracks would render it nearly unsellable.

Best Venue

Given the modest individual value and the high cost of shipping ceramics, this piece is best sold in a local antique mall booth, a flea market, or bundled with other McCoy or Bicentennial items online. If listing individually online, utilize a fixed-price format on eBay or Etsy around $15-$18 with 'Best Offer' enabled.

Upside Potential

There is minimal upside for this specific mass-produced item; exceeding the $20 high end would require finding a highly motivated local buyer or bundling it with a larger, highly sought-after McCoy collection.

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Also found — market-range context

Related comps outside the valuation band· 1 comp

Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.

  • unknown
    Final Bid : 22.58. Bid History(9). Sold. Ended Just Now.
    No item description provided to verify it is the same object.
    $23