Pattern Profile: Old Town Blue (1973)

With the launch of Old Town Blue in 1973, consumers now had five Livingware patterns to choose from.  This elegant design is Corning's version of the popular and centuries-old blue onion pattern famously associated with Meissen of Germany.  A great many dinnerware manufacturers have produced their own 'Zwiebelmuster' (bulb pattern) over the years.  In every sense a perennial pattern, Old Town Blue is still in production despite being officially retired since the mid-1990s, and selected pieces are still sold in open stock.

Back Row:  Suprema Mug (flared), Pyrex 1410 Mug.
Front Row:  Centura Demi-Tasse, Corelle Open Handle Cup.

The Pyrex Compatibles range for Old Town Blue is limited to the Tabletop Ware accessories only.  All of these items were discontinued on or before July 1982.  There has never been ovenware or nesting bowls produced for Old Town Blue, strictly speaking.  However, when Homestead was launched in 1976 it was touted in the catalogue as the perfect companion:  "For an especially warm table setting, Homestead is right at home with Old Town Blue Corelle Livingware."  The pattern was discontinued late 1980 or early 1981.

Additionally, there is one un-named promotional casserole that happens to be a very good match for Old Town Blue.  It is a white 1 Qt round 473 casserole with a blue onion style design in two shades of blue with a white opal decorated lid.  It is not known exactly when this promo was offered, but it is certainly a late 1960s, early 1970s item.

Pyrex 441 in Homestead, Old Town Blue 10 oz Bowl.

Corning introduced Corelle to the United Kingdom in 1981 and one of the patterns available was Old Town Blue.  Curiously, the pattern name was changed to Windermere.  Corelle was also available in France, perhaps about the same time, and Old Town Blue was on offer as well.  It was referred to only as a blue decoration, and no specific pattern name was used on the packaging.  Specifically for that market, the coffee cups were demi-tasse size, with a capacity of 100 ml.  They were made of Centura and were similar in style to the cups of the Expressions product line.  The saucers were smaller too, measuring just 5¹/₈ inches.

Corelle Dinnerware:

Dinner Plate (10¼")
Luncheon Plate (8½")
Bread & Butter Plate (6¾")
Saucer (6¼")

Open Handle Cup
Pyrex Cup (round-bottom)
Suprema Mug (flared)

Dessert Bowl (10 oz 5³/₈")
Soup/Cereal Bowl (18 oz 6¼")
Flat Rim Soup Plate (8½")
12 oz Deep Bowl (5") 
28 oz Deep Bowl (6¼")

1 Qt Serving Bowl (8½")
2 Qt Serving Bowl (10¼")
Oval Platter (12½")
Open Handle Cream & Sugar

Pyrex Compatibles Tabletop Ware:

1410 Mug
Cream & Sugar (old style - small)
Cream & Sugar (new style - large)
Salt & Pepper - white finish
Salt & Pepper - clear
Napkin Rings
Gravy Server
Butter Dish
Margarine Dish
770 Footed Bowl

Pyrex Pitchers:  The pattern can seem a bit non-standard even on genuine Pyrex pitchers.  However, if it is Pyrex it will be marked as such.  There may be other styles and sizes not included in this list.  The exact sizes available for one of these pitchers is undetermined.  It's possible it was made in both sizes.

Beverage Jug 72 oz (no handle or spout, smooth neck, #3472)
Beverage Jug 56 oz (no handle or spout, smooth neck, #3456)
Juice Bottle 1 Qt or 1.5 Qt (no handle, flask shape, #2932 or 2948)

Notable Absences:
Livingware Centura Cup

A traditional blue onion pattern.  This one is called Blue Nordic by J. & G. Meakin, an English maker.  The pomegranates, or 'onions' are on the rim.

Meissen's Blue Onion pattern was itself rooted in an Asian design and it includes depictions of pomegranates.  At the time these were unfamiliar in Europe and were mistaken for onions, hence the name.  Other motifs in this original design include bamboo stalks, lotus flowers, chrysanthemums and peaches.  The pomegranates and peaches do not actually appear in Old Town Blue, nor in the similar Corelle pattern Blue Floral.

Others:

Manufacturers other than Corning produced their own versions of Old Town Blue.  In fact, since blue onion is such a traditional and popular pattern, the list of companies and products with this same general motif is potentially endless.  The majority of these are unofficial products and close comparison with the genuine Corelle pattern will reveal variations in the design. 

Most notable among these companies, Gemco produced many popular tabletop accessories in their ‘Matchables' product line, using the pattern name 'Village Blue'. 

James Bradley & Assoc. sold glassware and opal pedestal mugs under the ‘Glassmates' brand. 

A variety of glassware was made by Libbey, as well as other manufacturers. 

Termo-Rey opal glass dinnerware was produced by Brasividro. 

On the official Coordinates side, placemats from Conimar Corporation are available in Old Town Blue. 

Please see the 'Other Manufacturers' menu at the left side of this page.