Overview
The vessel is a cylindrical utility crock with a vibrant cobalt blue exterior and white interior. The base features a black ink stamp that reads 'M[smudged] USA' over the number '302'.
Identification
Photo reference
3 uploaded photos
Overview
The vessel is a cylindrical utility crock with a vibrant cobalt blue exterior and white interior. The base features a black ink stamp that reads 'M[smudged] USA' over the number '302'.
Story
Attributed to McCoy Pottery (Nelson McCoy Pottery Co.), a prolific American manufacturer operating out of Roseville, Ohio. McCoy is well-known for mass-producing functional and decorative ceramics throughout the 20th century. The 'USA' mark and three-digit shape number ('302') are characteristic of mid-to-late century American factory production. The market for mid-century American utility pottery is steady but highly accessible, driven primarily by decorative appeal rather than extreme collector rarity.
Maker / Origin
McCoy
Condition & Value
Based on the visual evidence, the piece features a vibrant, intact cobalt glaze and a clean white interior. The primary condition note affecting value is the severe ink pooling on the base stamp, which obscures the maker's name and limits attribution confidence.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
The market for mid-century American utility pottery is steady but highly accessible, driven primarily by decorative appeal rather than extreme collector rarity. Cobalt blue remains a highly liquid, popular colorway for farmhouse, rustic, and eclectic interiors. Sales volume is highest on platforms like eBay and Etsy, where buyers prioritize visual impact and color over pristine maker's marks.
▲ Vibrant cobalt blue glaze is a highly desirable colorway for modern decorators
▲ Clean cylindrical utilitarian form fits popular farmhouse and rustic aesthetics
▲ Visible 'USA' mark confirms mid-century American origin
▼ Smudged maker's mark prevents definitive McCoy attribution, limiting collector premium
▼ Unknown dimensions — if the piece is very small (under 4 inches), value trends toward the lower floor
▼ Unverified lid configuration — if this model originally required a lid, its absence would cap the high-end value
Best Venue
List on Etsy or eBay, as these platforms have the strongest buyer base for decorative vintage American pottery. Include exact measurements in the listing title and description to help buyers gauge scale, and provide clear photos of the smudged base mark while noting the McCoy attribution.
Upside Potential
If exact measurements reveal this to be a substantially large piece (e.g., over 8 inches tall/wide), or if a McCoy catalog match confirms it is a rarer variant of the 302 line, the value could push toward the $75-$90 range.
Also found — market-range context
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.