It Started in 1960
Founded by Pat Fitzpatrick and Bob Floyd, the company started out as an import company, but soon moved into designing ceramic giftware. Fitz and Floyd moved into tabletop products and accessories in the late 1960s.
Ceramic Lines:
Were developed in the 1970s and the reputation of Fitz and Floyd grew with the superior quality of their work. The company’s in-house design staff developed themes around which entire collections were designed.
Commissioned by Governments and Embassies:
Fitz and Floyd dinnerware has been selected by presidents and governments around the world. The city of Dallas commissioned the company to create a one-of-a-kind tea service as the official gift to Queen Elizabeth for her visit to the city in 1991.
Collectibles:
Although Fitz and Floyd products have been collected long before they officially “entered the collectibles arena”, the company did so in 1990 with teapots and ornaments. The company offered lines of figurines, ornaments, water globes, houses and cookie jars
Note: The Charming Tails brand was sold to Enesco in 2009.
Charming Tails:
Dean Griff’s chance meeting at a party led to his original twelve Christmas pieces for Sylvestri (at one time a division of Fitz and Floyd). These were such a big hit that the line of Charming Tales were born and became a huge success.
The Bottom Line:
When it comes to ceramic giftware and products, Fitz and Floyd set the standard a long time ago with quality and design that other companies strive to attain. Although there is no mistaking a Fitz and Floyd ceramic piece, be a cookie jar, teapot or other tabletop item, one of the best compliments an item can receive is “it looks like a Fitz and Floyd”.At a collectors show several years I commented to a representative of a competing company about how much I liked their new designs. He whispered to me — “we’re hired someone who used to design for Fitz and Floyd”.
That’s the bottom line!