American Encaustic Tile Company Limited
Also known as AET or Aetco, it was founded in 1875 by Benedickt Fischer & George Lansing, both of NYC. Due to the abundance of clay deposits, the original plant was built at 2200 Linden Ave at S 7th St in Zanesville Ohio, adjacent to the Muskingum river for ease of transporting product. The area became a hotbed of tile production and was followed by neighboring manufacturers including J. B. Owens Pottery (1891-1928), Zanesville Tile (1901-07; later becoming Empire Tile 1909-29), Mosaic Tile (1894-1967) & Standard Tile (1923-43) which was located in nearby S Zanesville. AET was highly successful and by 1890 was reputed to be the largest tile manufacturer in the world. Demand outstripped production and the plant needed to be greatly expanded. The owners wanted to build another plant in New York however the townspeople passed a $40,000 bond to purchase land for the company to provide more local jobs. A new 40 acre plant which cost $1 million was dedicated in a big affair that included the attendance of Governor William McKinley (1891-5, later US President 1897-1901). The firm continued to grow and in 1912 purchased Atlantic Tile & Faience whose plant was located in Maurer (Perth Amboy) NJ. In 1919. Needing a local plant to serve the west, they then purchased West Coast Tile Co in Vernon CA and in 1926, Proutyline Products located at 700 15th St (now Plaza Hermosa) in Hermosa Beach CA which included the rights to the patented name Hermosa, a talc bodied tile developed by Theodore Chester Prouty that prevented crazing, a common problem of tiles of the day. Despite their great success, unlike other tile manufacturers AET did not diversify into other products such as pottery and chinaware so when the Depression hit, the company fell into bankruptcy. The California plants were sold off to Gladding McBean in 1933 (including the patented name Hermosa), the Zanesville plant was closed and the New Jersey plant was purchased in 1935 by Malcolm Schweiker, the owner of Franklin Tile, who was appointed as trustee by the US Bankruptcy Court. Franklin Tile, knowing the value of the AET New York Stock Exchange listing, kept and used the name for several years. Later, Franklin Tile expanded its product line, entering into a joint sales agency with Olean Tile of Olean NY which specialized in mosaic tiles and operated as American Franklin Olean Tile. In June 1959, National Gypsum Co acquired Franklin’s AET as well as Murray Tile in KY & Olean Tile Co of NY to form a Ceramic Tile Division known as American Olean Tile Co Inc
Early AET tiles have an unmarked rough finish on a buff bisque. Glazed tiles were first produced in 1880 followed by embossed tiles in 1881 and later faience tiles in the 1920s. Tiles were made in at least three sizes: 4 ¼”, 4 5/16” & 4 ⅜”. The Zanesville plant was later reopened in 1937 by Shawnee Pottery and operated until 1961. During WWII, the US Army Air Force contracted 90% of their production from 1942-46. AET tiles are quite rare and highly sought by collectors.
Also known as AET or Aetco, it was founded in 1875 by Benedickt Fischer & George Lansing, both of NYC. Due to the abundance of clay deposits, the original plant was built at 2200 Linden Ave at S 7th St in Zanesville Ohio, adjacent to the Muskingum river for ease of transporting product. The area became a hotbed of tile production and was followed by neighboring manufacturers including J. B. Owens Pottery (1891-1928), Zanesville Tile (1901-07; later becoming Empire Tile 1909-29), Mosaic Tile (1894-1967) & Standard Tile (1923-43) which was located in nearby S Zanesville. AET was highly successful and by 1890 was reputed to be the largest tile manufacturer in the world. Demand outstripped production and the plant needed to be greatly expanded. The owners wanted to build another plant in New York however the townspeople passed a $40,000 bond to purchase land for the company to provide more local jobs. A new 40 acre plant which cost $1 million was dedicated in a big affair that included the attendance of Governor William McKinley (1891-5, later US President 1897-1901). The firm continued to grow and in 1912 purchased Atlantic Tile & Faience whose plant was located in Maurer (Perth Amboy) NJ. In 1919. Needing a local plant to serve the west, they then purchased West Coast Tile Co in Vernon CA and in 1926, Proutyline Products located at 700 15th St (now Plaza Hermosa) in Hermosa Beach CA which included the rights to the patented name Hermosa, a talc bodied tile developed by Theodore Chester Prouty that prevented crazing, a common problem of tiles of the day. Despite their great success, unlike other tile manufacturers AET did not diversify into other products such as pottery and chinaware so when the Depression hit, the company fell into bankruptcy. The California plants were sold off to Gladding McBean in 1933 (including the patented name Hermosa), the Zanesville plant was closed and the New Jersey plant was purchased in 1935 by Malcolm Schweiker, the owner of Franklin Tile, who was appointed as trustee by the US Bankruptcy Court. Franklin Tile, knowing the value of the AET New York Stock Exchange listing, kept and used the name for several years. Later, Franklin Tile expanded its product line, entering into a joint sales agency with Olean Tile of Olean NY which specialized in mosaic tiles and operated as American Franklin Olean Tile. In June 1959, National Gypsum Co acquired Franklin’s AET as well as Murray Tile in KY & Olean Tile Co of NY to form a Ceramic Tile Division known as American Olean Tile Co Inc
Early AET tiles have an unmarked rough finish on a buff bisque. Glazed tiles were first produced in 1880 followed by embossed tiles in 1881 and later faience tiles in the 1920s. Tiles were made in at least three sizes: 4 ¼”, 4 5/16” & 4 ⅜”. The Zanesville plant was later reopened in 1937 by Shawnee Pottery and operated until 1961. During WWII, the US Army Air Force contracted 90% of their production from 1942-46. AET tiles are quite rare and highly sought by collectors.