1900: Artus produced a few pieces dated 1900, most of which were while we was living at Chico Basin Ranch. A few were given by Artus to his closest friends. Robert Wyman Newton has drawn a picture from photo of one of these earliest pieces. The handwriting was definitely that of Artus Van Briggle.
1901: Only 300 pieces were offered for the first open house & sale of pottery on the weekend of December 7, 1901, at VBPCo located then at 617 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs.
Vase was sprayed with Brown Glaze; with an over spray of Green added; inside is Clear Glaze, and both Brown & Green over Spray visible around the inside rim.
Typical bottom markings of the inscribed Double-A, Van Briggle, date of 1901, and Roman Numeral II for clay type; all in handwriting attributed to Artus Van Briggle.
No Design numbers were yet inscribed. The inscribed “70” was later learned to be a kiln or production number, as it was on many different 1901 designs!