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Collection A Tribute to
William H. Grueby

William H. Grueby (1867-1925) founded the Grueby Faience Company in 1894 in Boston, Massachusetts. Beginning in 1898, focusing primarily on art pottery vases, he introduced his own version of French matte finishes, including the matte green finish that became his signature work.

The popularity of his work, however, spawned mass market competition and eventually resulted in the company's demise in 1909. Grueby emerged from bankruptcy and began limited production runs that included statues, pottery, and tiles, before the company closed for good in 1920.

This company specialized in architectural tiles, brick and terra cotta. Grueby's work won international acclaim, earning medals at the 1900 International Exposition in Paris, the 1901 Pan -American Exposition in Buffalo, and the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis. They were renowned for the matte green glaze which can be found in the 50th Street station. The company, which became even better known for its art pottery, was bought out by the C. Pardee Works in Perth Amboy, New Jersey in 1917.

It closed completely in 1938. The Grueby Faience Company produced many of the larger and more distinctive plaques: the ships at Columbus Circle; the eagle at 33rd Street; the beaver at Astor Place; as well as numerous decorative name and number plaques at Brooklyn Bridge, Bleeker Street, 14th, 18th, 42nd, 50th, 103rd, 110th and 116th Streets

Addison B. LeBoutillier: A most versatile Massachusetts artist and architect, A. B. LeBoutillier was equally gifted as an etcher, ex-libris engraver, wood carver, medalist, painter and pottery designer. After his formal studies as an architect, LeBoutillier first gained recognition in Boston in the 1890's for his pen and ink illustrations. His initial exhibited etchings date from the later First World War (1917-18) when he produced a number of striking plates detailing the devastation of French cities and towns. After the war LeBoutillier returned to Boston and continued creating etchings of New England architecture and landscapes.
Perhaps Addison LeBoutillier's best known art, however, was in the medium of Faience pottery. Along with Henry Belknap, A. B. LeBoutillier was a primary designer for the famous Grueby Pottery. Today the art of Addison LeBoutillier is included in such major public collections as the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.