Pfaltzgraff Pottery was founded in 1811 by German potters in Pennsylania.  In the early 1960's, the business was renamed The Pfaltzgraff Company.  And in 1967, the company introduced Yorktowne - considered to be the top selling table top pattern in history.  The design of a blue flower on a gray background was borrowed from Pfaltzgraff's 19th Century salt-glazed stoneware.  At that time, salt-glazed stoneware was decorated using characteristic cobalt blue slip, a mixture of liquefied clay and cobalt pigment that could be brushed or stenciled onto the pieces in a variety of designs or labels. Because the decoration liquid was made of the same clay as the ware, during firing it would become part of the body of the piece insuring that it would not fade or wear off. Yorktowne's pattern was based on these salt glazed, cobalt slip designs.  Yorktowne continues to be manufactured today, however it is no longer made in the United States.  In 2005 the company was sold to Lifetime Brands, and Yorktowne as well as the other Pfaltzgraff patterns, are now manufactured overseas.  The last American made Yorktowne was manufactured in October 2005.