J. H. Stouffer and the Stouffer Studio

Jacob H. Stouffer was born in Adeline, Illinois, in 1866 and first appeared in Chicago in 1892. In 1902 he went into business for himself as the J. H. Stouffer Co., China and Glass Wholesalers. In 1905 he opened his first china decorating studio at 3000 Lake Park Avenue in Chicago.

Stouffer's hand-painted china appears to have spanned approximately 15 or 20 years, from 1905 to 1920-25, during which time the company employed some of the best decorators in the business. A number of Stouffer artists also worked for Pickard China and Brauer Studio at one time or another.¹

Jacob died at age 46 in 1912 and his wife Marietta (Mary D. Stouffer) became president, followed by Finlay Drummond in 1915. The company relocated to several Chicago addresses as it continued in business throughout the Great Depression and World War II, and finally ceased operations in 1952.²

For more information on the Stouffer Studio, please refer to Alan Reed's Collectors Encyclopedia of Pickard China.

Explore the diversity of the Stouffer Studio in the Galleria. Comments are welcome. tim.ingram@mediacombb.net