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The catalogs of Marshall Studios are the key to understanding the growth and development of the company. Early catalogs focus on the parchment lampshade designs of Jessie Talbott Marshall. When Jane and Gordon Martz join the studio in June of 1951, stoneware becomes a focus. In the 1970's, the catalog system is used infrequently in favor of sales sheets and small printings.  After their retirement in 1989, the final catalog is re-used until the close of the studio.

Early Marshall Studios: 1922-1950, Before Jane and Gordon Martz introduced stoneware

The Jane and Gordon Martz Era: 1950-1989

Late Marshall Studios: After Jane & Gordon retire in 1989

Marshall Studios Inc.

Indianapolis

Early 1930's

 

 

This early Marshall Studios catalog appears to be the earliest comprehensive catalog featuring hand-painted parchment lampshades from the original Indianapolis Studio started by Jessie Talbott Marshall in 1922.

 

Marshall Studios Inc.

Indianapolis

1934

 

 

The introduction from this catalog reads, "This is the original Marshall Parchment shade, which has been on the market under this name for twelve years. We have always stressed fine quality and workmanship  with durability, and the shades in this line are perfectly at home with period furnishings, fine china and treasured heirlooms. They are carefully styled to keep abreast of today's decorative trend, and we have endeavored in our catalog to give a complete oicture of this versatile line."

 

Retail Price List, Lampshade Data Booklet and Supplementary Catalog Number Three A

Late 1940's

This catalog supplement is from the mid or late-1940's, after the move from Indianapolis to Veedersburg in 1941. The catalog combines a price list and ordering information including fitters, shapes and sizes, and applique designs.

 

Ceramics by Jane and Gordon Martz

Marshall Studios, Inc.

Spring 1952

[Unnumbered Catalog No. 1]

3 pages

A one-page hand-drawn folded sheet catalog, this represents the first work of Jane and Gordon Martz who joined the Veedersburg studio in 1951 after marrying and Gordon's graduation from Alfred University in 1951.

 

Marshall Studios, Inc.

1952

[Unnumbered Catalog No. 2]

36 pages

MScat2-Cover.jpg

This transitional catalog shows the old and the new - lamps ordered and assembled prior to the design influence of Jane and Gordon, mixed with the first handmade stoneware creations. The early designs of Jane and Gordon show naivety and creativity from art school combined with a sensibility for modern form.

Ceramics by Jane and Gordon Martz

Marshall Studios, Inc.

Spring 1953

Accessories and Lamps

[Unnumbered Catalog No. 3]

26 pages

Ceramics

Jane and Gordon Martz

Marshall Studios, Inc.

Fall 1953

Accessories and Lamps

Catalog No. 4

33 pages

The Fall 1953 Catalog is similar to the spring catalog, with the addition of the googie P108 tray shape. This catalog features lamps with ceramic switch collars, a feature which was soon discontinued.

 

Ceramics

Jane and Gordon MARTZ

Marshall Studios, Inc.

Spring 1954

Accessories and Lamps

Catalog No. 5

33 pages

In the Spring 1954 Catalog, new tableware components are introduced which very cleverly use the lampshade metal wire as support elements for trays and candleholders. The candlestick/goblet form is first introduced here as a candlestick and no goblets are yet shown. The wide-bottomed M113 lamp shape is introduced as well as additional variatons on the stoneware switch collar.

 

Stoneware

Marshall Studios, Inc.

Accessories, Lamps, Tables

Designed by Jane and Gordon Martz

Fall 1955

Catalog No. 6

41 pages

Catalog 6 reintroduces the 8.5" x 11" format and includes a number of new shapes and patterns, including six vase shapes. This catalog is also the first to show wood and tile tables. Incised decorations have been added to the line of trays, and a number of multi-section taller lamps are introduced.

 

Stoneware Catalog No. 8

Accessories & Lamps

Marshall Studios, Inc.,

Veedersburg, Indiana

April 1957

Catalog No. 8

53 pages

Many new serveware and accessories are added in the spring of 1957, including: Clocks, bookends, lighters, coffee servers, and large finger-pressed planters. The glaze and decoration of trays has transitioned from painted designs with glossy overglaze to all matte glaze with more incised and geometric patterns. Taller and heavier lamp forms are introduced, including the first appearances of the rough-based floor lamp and floor lamp with round table insert.

 

Stoneware Catalog No. 8A

Supplement to Catalog No. 8

Accessories & Lamps

Marshall Studios, Inc.,

Veedersburg, Indiana

Fall 1957

Catalog No. 8A

25 pages

The first page of Catalog 8A features unique tile wall sculptures. Cast iron planter stands are shown in this catalog. New decotaions for lamps and large planters are bold, deeply incised and feel 'modern primitive,' similar to some artwork of the same period.

Catalog No. 12

Stoneware Tile Tables

Marshall Studios, Inc.

Veedersburg, Indiana

Late 1950's

Stoneware Catalog

No. 10

Accessories & Lamps

Marshall Studios, Inc.

Veedersburg, Indiana

Late 1950's

52 pages

Stoneware Tile Tables

Marshall Studios, Inc.,

Veedersburg, Indiana

Late 1950's

Catalog No. 9

24 pages

This is the first catalog dedicated solely to ordering tile tables. It includes various shapes, paterns and size charts for ordering tables.

 

Many tray shapes and decorations are featured in this catalog, as well as serving sets. A new addition is the P189 bowl on a round walnut foot. Gordon called this the "basketball bowl" because it was originally molded around a basketball. The lamp decorations in this catalog are more linear and simplified than in earlier catalogs.

 

Unfortunately, we only posess the cover artwork for this catalog.

 

Stoneware Catalog No. 14

Accessories

Marshall Studios, Inc.

Veedersburg, Indiana

1960

Extensive catalog of housewares, dinnerware and decorative trays featuring some full-color pages.

MS Cat 16 cover.jpg

Lamp Catalog No. 16

stoneware table lamps

walnut and teak table lamps

floor lamps

Marshall Studios, Inc.

Veedersburg, Indiana

1960's

37 pages

Extensive lamp catalog with new tall designs including wood rounds between stacked stoneware segments. This catalog features nine new tabletop all-wood body lamps as well as new tall floor lamps in wood.

 

Lamp Catalog No. 17

Sroneware Table Lamps

Walnut and Teak Table Lamps

Floor Lamps

Marshall Studios, Inc.

Veedersburg, Indiana

1960's

52 pages

Catalog 17 is another extensive lamp catalog featuring new stoneware and stacked stoneware base shapes, hanging pendant lamps, squared wood and tile table lamps, and custom woven shades from Jane Martz loom textiles.

 

Marshall Studios Inc.

Lamp Supplement No. 17A

1960's

7 pages

New lamps introduced in supplement 17A include stacked walnut base lamps and highly geometric rhombic stoneware bases.

 

Marshall Studios Inc.

Stoneware Glaze Chart

No. 18

1960's

Stoneware glaze chart with actual tile samples and patterns.

Accessories

Catalog No. 19

Marshall Studios, Inc.

Veedersburg, Indiana

1960's

Extensive accessory catalog featuring many shapes, sizes and decorative patterns of household wares.

Boxed Stoneware Sets

Catalog No. 19A

Marshall Studios, Inc.

Veedersburg, Indiana

1960's

Accessory Supplement 19A

A small supplemental catalog focused on stoneware serving and dinnerware sets, with a selection of decorated trays, platters and bowls.

Home Accent Shop

Marshall Studios, Inc.

Veedersburg, Indiana

1960's

Catalog No. 20

The Home Accent Shop was Marshall Studios' retail shop in Veedersburg, Indiana. This thirteen-page catalog features a curated selection of Marshall Studios work including many interesting tile tables, stacked wooden and hanging pendant lamps, and selected dossal and curtain work from Jane's loom.

Lampshade Manual No. 21

Marshall Studios, Inc.

Veedersburg, Indiana

1960's

Catalog No. 21

MS Cat 21 Cover.jpg

This is a tri-folding black & white instruction manual for ordering custom empire and drum lampshades

Glaze Color and Decoration Chart - 22

Marshall Studios, Inc.

Veedersburg, Indiana

1960's

Catalog No. 22

A photographic 4-page bulletin highlighting glaze color and decor combinations.

Lamps

Marshall Studios, Inc.

Veedersburg, Indiana

1966

Catalog No. 23

32 pages

Updated lamp catalog including stoneware and handwoven hanging pendant lamps.

Handwoven Pillows

Designed by Jane Marshall Martz

Marshall Studios, Inc.,

Veedersburg, Indiana

Late 1960's

Catalog No. 24

 

In the 1960's, Jane began working with a loom producing  woven tapestry works, curatains, dossals and pillows. This catalog highlights 

Tile Tables

Marshall Studios, Inc.,

Veedersburg, Indiana

Late 1960's

Catalog No. 25

A very detailed catalog showing the extensive range of custom table designs from Marshall Studios.

Lamps - The Warmth of Lighting

Marshall Studios, Inc.,

Veedersburg, Indiana

ca 1960's

Catalog Nos. L1a, L2a, F2b, A3a and A2

This catalog is a compilation of seven printed documents stapled together to make one catalog. They include: L1a - Lamps, Lampshades - Ordering and Pricing Information, L2a - Pendants and Chandeliers, F2b - Stock and Custom Lowside and Lamp Table Catalog, A3a - Desk Accessories, A2 - Stoneware Planters, and finally glaze chart 22. It appears this may have been composed for institutional sales to universities or government agencies.

Counter Ring Lamps

Patent Shades & Stoneware Bases

Marshall Studios, Inc.,

Veedersburg, Indiana

Catalog No. 31

A two-sided sales sheet featuring a new method of attaching lampshades and groovy new colors and finishes to the shades. The counter-ring shade fastens the shade from the bottom and is an interesting precursor to the contemporary popular style of small shade. 

Trays

Marshall Studios, Inc.,

Veedersburg, Indiana

Catalog No. 32

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Stoneware Glaze Chart

 

Catalog No. 34

_

Marshall Studios

Marshall Studios, Inc.,

Veedersburg, Indiana

1974

Catalog No. 35

MS Cat35 Cover.jpg

A commonly found Marshall Studios catalog with a caramel brown embossed cover and pages in full color or gold duotone. Unlike previous catalogs, lamps, tables and accessories are photographed in simple vignettes. This is the last catalog with art direction by Gordon Martz.

Marshall Studios

Marshall Studios, Inc.,

Veedersburg, Indiana

1989. Price list 1990

Catalog No. 36

The last Marshall Studios catalog printed, published after the retirement of Jane and Gordon Martz. Noticeable are the addition of brass bases and tapered lampshades, indicative of some stylistic trends of the time. Included is the 1990 price list.

Genesis Wood & Stoneware

Veedersburg, Indiana

Early 1990's

The same catalog as #36, but the cover has Marshall Studios marked out in black marker and a Genesis Wood & Stoneware label affixed to the bottom. Many items are shown staged in a curio, and a few new items are seen - a hippopotamus and some very colorful large floral trivets. 

George Kovacs

New York, NY

Late 1950's - early 1960's

Kovacs Cover.jpg

Catalog by George Kovacs, modern lighting distributor in New York City from the late 1950's or early 1960's. This was found in the ephemera of Marshall Studios. Many of the tall wood lamps are often confused with Marshall Studios. This catalog is included to help differentiate Marshall Studios designs from imported lamps sold by Kovacs.

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