Lefton Pitcher

Q: I have a pitcher marked “Lefton China, Hand Painted, Reg. U.S. Pat. Off.” The number “1773” is hand-painted on the bottom. It’s 10 inches high and decorated with applied pink roses, pale blue forget-me-nots and green leaves. Is it old and valuable?

A: George Zoltan Lefton emigrated from Hungary in 1939 and founded Lefton Co. in Chicago in 1941. The company imported pottery, porcelain, glass and other wares. George Lefton died in 1996 and the company was sold in 2001. The mark on your pitcher was used from 1949 until about 1955. The number 1773 may indicate the pitcher was part of a limited edition. Value of your pitcher: about $20 to $25.