Thanks to longtime Carr collector Lori Stillman for sharing the story behind this piece:

Wheeler Carr Bachman's mother, "who was the second president of the pottery, had a complete set of all wares made for him upon his graduation from college. They were used to teach him all of the patterns and sizes of blank wares as a precursor to his joining the company. He was required to know each before she would give him a position.

"The complete set was in the house for years and, sadly, was sold off by a family member in a garage sale in Grafton during the early years of Wheeler's wife's illness.

"She was very distraught that the collection was broken up, knowing it belonged together. I have her notes about the set and why it was prepared by Edith Carr Bachman for Wheeler's pottery training."

This story is especially appreciated because the story that we've heard in Grafton is that Wheeler was somewhat indifferent to the pottery business and needed the samples as remedial training into the business.

The pieces shown are, from the top:

No. 86 – Celery Tray, Oval, Scalloped Edge, Trade Size No. 3;

No. 6 – Baker (Oval) Rolled Edge, 4 inch (Trade Size); actual size 6 1/2 in.; and

No. 238 – Pickle (Oblong).

The interesting thing about the oblong pickle is that the bottom of the piece has a center area under the backstamp that looks like the clay was scraped and unglazed and that the backstamp didn't take well. Click here for a larger image.