George
Zoltan Lefton was a Hungarian refugee from war torn Europe, coming to the
United States in 1939. His hobby had been collecting fine china and ceramics.
His business designing and manufacturing sports goods.
This is another success story of hobbyist turned entrepreneur . Being aware, as
a hobbyist of the fine quality of work that was once available in Japan, and
appalled at the shoddy work being imported into this country from a devastated
Japan, Mr. Lefton went to Japan and began finding the best ceramists available.
He then designed for the US market, an appealing line of ceramic giftware. He
founded the Lefton China Company in 1941.
This venture has been highly successful and continues to this day. Collectors
appreciate the quality and
designs and the high standards demanded by Lefton China Co.
In order to keep the prices moderate to meet the core market of the company, it
has expanded its manufacturing into other Asian countries since about 1970. The
quality and workmanship did not diminish with this expansion.
Collectors find a wide variety of collectibles within the Lefton lines, Fine
china, figurines, vases, and within each category are specialty lines such as
the Angel and Birthday figurines, hand and head vases, Little Treasures and on
and on.
There are many imitators, but Lefton fans will always spot the high quality of
George Leftons work.