Paden City Pottery Bak-Serv teapot

Q: I bought this Bak-Serv teapot for $5 at a flea market. The mark on the bottom is a bit faded, but it looks like it says “Oven Proof, Bak-Serv, Tested & Approved, Good Housekeeping Institute, Good Housekeeping Magazine” and “P.C.P. Co., Made in U.S.A.” I’d like to know more about it. Can you tell me who made it, how old it is, and what it’s worth?

A: The P.C.P. Co. mark was used by Paden City Pottery, which was in business in West Virginia from 1914 to 1953. The pottery’s Bak-Serv line was introduced in 1931. The Good Housekeeping "seal of approval" was first used in 1909. The star was added to the seal in 1929. A lawsuit claiming unfair competition was brought against Good Housekeeping magazine in 1939 and the words “Tested and Approved” were removed from the seal. You have a carafe with decal decorations that was made before the words were removed in 1939. There is little collector interest in Bak-Serv pieces. A carafe might sell for $25.