Do you want to list your Frankoma pottery for sale on eBay? Make sure you know what you are listing!

Frankoma Pottery is a very collectible American pottery, manufactured in Oklahoma. Many, many pieces are offered on eBay every day. However, many of them are not listed properly, and thus do not get the bids they deserve!

Here are some things to consider when listing your piece on eBay:

What is it?
Often, what the item is is very obvious. Some Frankoma pieces are, however, very puzzling- the WA2 pot warmer is a notable example. Shaped somewhat like a crown, it's designed to hold a Sterno can in the middle and have a pot placed on top of it. People make all kinds of odd guesses to what it is! Many Frankoma pieces have specific names, and if you want to attract a collector, it's best to call the piece by the right name! For example, the 114 and 116 pieces are not mountain lions, jaguars, cougars or cats- they are pumas. The dinnerware pieces have specific pattern names, like Plainsman, Wagon Wheel, and Lazybones.

If you are not sure what your item is, consult a good guidebook! Two of the best are Collector's Guide to Frankoma Pottery  by Gary V. Schaum and Frankoma and Other Oklahoma Potteries by Phyllis and Tom Bess. Both books are often offered on eBay.

What is the model number?
This is usually found on the bottom or back of the piece. Guidebooks will also have this information. How the number is stamped also helps determine the age and rarity of a piece. Pieces with the old "pot and puma" stamp command a premium price. Small, incised  model numbers are also very old. Any piece marked "Frankoma, USA," by contrast, is much newer. Again, a guidebook wil show you the different styles.

What color is the glaze?
Frankoma pottery comes in many colors. Some colors, like Prairie Green and Desert Gold, are quite common. Others, such as Redbud and Peacock Blue, are rarer. Many glazes were used for only a short amount of time and are thus more valuable. Knowing the glaze color of a piece will help you estimate its value. Some glazes are easily confused, such as Osage Brown and Coffee, Peach and Desert Gold, and Woodland Moss and Prairie Green. Again, a good guidebook is invaluable, as is knowing the age of your piece ( for example, if it was made in the 70s, the color can't be Osage Brown, it must be Coffee!)

What type of clay is it made from?
Frankoma pottery was made in two types of clay; Ada and Sapulpa. Ada clay pieces are older and more valuable. However, one of the most common listing mistakes is confusing the two types of clay.
Ada clay is much lighter than most Sapulpa. It is a light tan in color, while Sapulpa is reddish. The clay in pieces made in the 50's from Sapulpa clay is brick-red; the color is much lighter in newer pieces. Pieces made in the 90s can have clay as light as Ada. However, if you wet your finger and touch the clay, Ada clay does not change color; Sapulpa does. in addition, glaze colors are richer on Ada clay, and the glaze is often thicker and less smooth. Some Frankoma decorative pieces have felt bumpers on the bottom. If these pieces are round green felt dots, the piece is not Ada, no matter how light the clay appears; the dots have only been used since the late 70s. Older pieces have one solid piece of felt, usually gray, covering the bottom.

What condition is it in?
Always list the condition of the piece accurately. Some pieces are very rare in pristine condition and will command a premium price.