Start a career with Pomona Tile

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But only if you want to travel back in time. Reader Eric Scherer found an eBay listing for a Pomona Tile sample kit and case said to date to “1910s/20s.” Fixed price: $661.98.

(Of course, if you’re going to travel back in time after your purchase, why buy it at 2012 prices?)

Pomona Tile used to be a very important business around town. Scherer also found a heavily illustrated blog post about the company’s “Distinguished Designer” series in which Millard Sheets, Saul Bass and other famous names were commissioned to design tiles. Some great images for you midcentury-modern design mavens.

From the Tile Heritage newsletter, 2007:

“Pomona Tile was founded in 1923 by Judson Clark and was acquired within its first year by R.J. Schroeder, who maintained the offices and factory at Third and Reservoir Streets in Pomona, California. The company specialized initially in unglazed ceramic mosaics, but by the end of the decade both ceramic floor and wall tiles were produced.

“The height of production came in the mid-1950s when Drew Schroeder took over the reins from his father. But competition was intense, and despite the broadening of its product lines, the company began losing its grip by the early-sixties.

“American Olean acquired Pomona in 1966 providing the backing and leadership to introduce Pomona Stone and the colorful Caribbean line. AO sold the company to Huntington Tile in 1976, ending over 50 years of Pomona tile production.”

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