(I shall later post more photos of this pattern but I have yet to re-photograph most of my samples! )

Information regarding California Contempo remains elusive.

It is a bit confusing to sort out, both ephemera and observation present sometimes confounding evidence.

It remains unclear whether it is, strictly speaking, a Laurel product pre May 1961, or a Sylvan Product post May 1961, or both.  The finding of sets of dinnerware comprised of pieces with backstamps of CALIFORNIA CONTEMPO and Mult-stone compel one to conclude that Sylvan sold both.  But whether California Contempo sold by Sylvan is Laurel backstock or a continuation of Laurel product remains unknown to me, even if I strongly suspect California Contempo to be Laurel backstock, and therefore a Laurel 1960 introduction, (or poss. 1959).

Ephemera on Laurel in its dying days is also elusive. We have minimal documentation of actual products, (though quite alot of info on other historical and business aspects).  After 1958 Laurel was having a very difficult time surviving.  Sylvan (leaving a plant in Pasadena behind) takes over Laurel in May 1961. One year later the plant closes down for good, (with a very shady Sylvan in very reprehensible standing).  We can be sure Sylvan produced dinnerware for not more than a year, appearently less; not more than a few months.  Not a great deal of it could have been distributed.   It is not very commonly found. 

Ephemera  indicate that Laurel company produced a new set of glaze colors by 1960.  It seems reasonable to deduce that these same glazes are those used on California Contempo, and the same as those Sylvan continues, though Sylvan calls them by new (but color corresponding) names.  (Sylvan possibly adds one glaze treatment they called Stereo-stone.)

Observation, and additionally color names, reveal that these glazes were very like the glazes Bauer introduced in 1960. (On Al Fresco which becomes Bauer Contempo.  A very similar name, no?)

Observation shows us CALIFORNIA CONTEMPO in recycled old shapes form previous pattern LIFE, (and some Cerama-stone such as cups, flatwares.  (Pratt's book misleading says it is just Cerama-stone reglazed - it is many molds from several lines.)  However, when Sylvan takes over plant early 1961 and (ephemera-newspaper article suggests, perhaps inaccurately, after delay of months) begins to produce Sylvan Multi-Stone, then we observe pieces marked Sylvan Multi-stone in more mold shapes from not only LIFE, but also serving shapes of Cerama-stone, and even Seaside. (!)  (Some shapes like plates were common to several lines, a divided bowl, many round bowls were common to various lines. etc.)  Additionally, cup forms and handles were quite various: Simply the Cerama-stone cup and handle, or bowl-part-of-cup from Cerama-stone with cup handles molds from LIFE, or the small 8 oz. mug originally used on snack plate (set on a saucer), or, and of special note!, a cup shape quite closely copying the new Bauer Contempo cup; (the cat. # 700A).

Look at and compare to Bauer Contempo Colors:  Laurel/Sylvan essentially mimicked these.  (beyond the Bauer look alikes, Laurel/Sylvan added a blue, and a yellow ...and "Stereo-stone" -perhaps a two-tone treatment? ) They are pale earth tone pastels, matte satin finish (not glossy), and faint delicate speckles.

I do not currently have photographs of pieces backstamped California Contempo but I DO own them and can verify that the colors on them are identical to those in these following photos. (These photos are pieces  backstamped Multi-stone or unmarked)

 The divided bowl and gravy are shapes which I have also observed marked Sylvan, and in earlier Laurel lines, thus presumably then would be found also California Contempo;  these 2 shapes (in the orange) were found in a still entire set for 8 place settings, which contained  both backstamps, pieces marked in either way: Sylvan Multi-stone and CALIFORNIA CONTEMPO.  I also have found partial sets with mixed stamps and in these other colors shown.  I have no samples of the charcoal, the blue, nor the yellow.

Sylvan Names differ from Laurel color names for same glazes.  We do not have a full list of Laurel's names so I give you here just Sylvan's names:

Cinna-stone,  Lemon-stone,  Orange-stone, Mint-stone,        Char-stone,  Blue-stone, White-stone, and Stereo-stone.

Although I've found plenty of pieces in an extra-light beige (what Laurel called Granite), marked multi-stone, I can't imagin which of above names would apply.  The white is indeed quite white, and not to be confused with [extra light beige] (seen on gravy in photo above).

There is a darker beige, (also seen on creamer in above photos), warmer and richer than Granite [extra-light beige].  No conclusions here; just FYI.  The darker beige is extremely similar to Bauer's beige Bauer called "desert beige".  For my own convenience I borrow Bauer's name in casual reference to this color.

Sellers may wish to note that the orange color of multi-stone and California contempo is the color of uncooked pumpkin pie filling - or a light "pumpkin" color.  This is NOT the same color as the Burnt Orange (official name) of Cerama-stone; Cerama-stone Burnt orange, (often called by sellers 'pumpkin'!), is darker and richer than the Orange-stone or color of California Contempo.  This is important when identifying smaller unmarked pieces such a cups or shakers.

I suspect the yellow is close to the yellow seen on LIFE.  Yellow LIFE pieces are seen with a mixture of California Contempo and Multi-Stone in picture following:

.

(The beige in above photo is what I call Desert Beige, not knowing Laurel's nor Sylvan's official name)  The photo folowing, though dark and off-color is this desert beige on from left to right: Sylvan creamer, Bauer individual cass., Laurel Cerama-stone tall creamer.

See Guide for Sylvan Multi-stone for more photos, and information.

I ask that any of you that might have piece(s) of Sylvan or California Contempo would, if you can, seriously consider sharing photos or observations with us.  Or even selling pieces to me.

Espially Blue, Black, Yellow, or Stereo (what is Stereo, huh?  a wild guess:  two tone such as Metlox Co was using on its Tempo pattern.  (Not to be confused with the earlier Metlox Tiempo.)

Thank you

~Padraig