Lewis, Lorelyn

Historical Note

Smith Russell (1895-1979) was born in Lincoln, Illinois, the son of a faculty member at Lincoln University. In 1904, the family settled in Claremont, where Smith's father, William Polk Russell, had taken a position as instructor in mathematics at Pomona College. Smith graduated from Pomona College in 1917. He began his career in ceramics in 1946 by purchasing Yylyne Studio in Los Angeles, whose assets at that time consisted of a single employee, a small electric kiln, a small mixer for making slip, a paint booth, glazes and some molds. Smith began develioping proprietary glazes and designed new articles which were painted, glazed and fired essentially one item at a time.

In May 1947, Smith's youngest son, Wilfred "Bill" Russell, purchased Palm Garden Pottery located in Inglewood for its manufacturing facilities. Smith and Bill became partners, and Ylyne moved to the Inglewood location, where the additional kilns and other equipment were put to use. The business expanded, with Smith creating new original products and glazes and supervising production of paster molds in house from his designs. The products were identified with the trade name "Florencita", after Smith's wife, Florence Mildred (Dodge) Russell (1895-1998), also Pomona College class of 1917.

In May 1949, the partners incorporated under the name Decora Cermics. The company created decorative household ceramic items such as ashtrays and wall plaques. Decora Ceramics enjoyed popularity nationwide, but by mid-1952 Japanese copies of their products, identical in design, precisely copied, and priced well below Decora's production costs, began to flood the market. Decora's profits plummeted and the partners reluctantly concluded that the company would not be able to remain competitive in the business. Not wishing to endure liquidation, the owners sold surplus production equipment to others in the industry not yet impacted by the Japanese pottery manufactuerers; other assets were sold at auction, the property was leased, and Decora Ceramics closed in the summer of 1953.

Source: Bill Russell, History of Decora Ceramics, Inc. (August 20, 2009) (box 1, folder 1).

From the guide to the Decora Ceramics Records, Bulk, 1946-1953, 1946-2009, (Honnold/Mudd Library Special Collection and Archives)