Ebb Tide Years: mid 1965-1967
The Ebb Tide pattern was quite unusual. It included most pieces commonly found in a dinnerware pattern but excluded several items that have strong appeal to collectors. The pattern did not include a pitcher, teapot, beverage server or salt & pepper shakers. But oddly enough it did include coffee cups in two styles; either with or without a handle. The Ebb Tide design was distinctive for its hand-applied greenish-brown swirls set against a dark background. So while the pattern involved hand painting of a sort, it was done by swirling the paint around on the piece rather than carefully applied brush strokes. This was likely another attempt to save labor costs. Workers apparently found it difficult to be consistent with the swirls as the effect can vary greatly piece to piece.
