Q: I have four Franciscan coffee mugs, each marked with a different version of this back-stamp. Can you tell me when this mark was used?

A: Several versions of this "Flying F" mark were used by Franciscan in the 1970s and '80s. Some include the word "Interpace." The number under the mark is the painter's mark. The company collectors often refer to as "Franciscan" began in 1875 as Gladding, McBean & Co. The tradename "Franciscan" was first used in 1934. Gladding, McBean merged with Lock Joint Pipe Co. in 1962 to form International Pipe & Ceramics Corp. The corporate name was changed to Interpace in 1963. It was purchased by Wedgwood in 1984 and production moved to England. Wedgwood is now part of WWRD, a holding company. Some pieces in the Franciscan patterns "Apple" and "Desert Rose" are still being made, but not in England. Production moved to China in 2004.