Shafford, Ucagco and Capodimonte Renditions of John Rogers Statues

Shafford exported pieces to the United States from Japan starting in the 1940s and ending in the 1970s. Shafford produced china planter mugs depicting famous people, music boxes, figurines, pitchers, pill cups, candle holders and a host of other novelty items. Among their offerings were small, painted versions of "Checkers up at the Farm", "Chess", "School Days" and "Traveling Magician", as well as a parian version of "Checkers up at the Farm". The painted pieces are each about 6" - 7" tall, while the parian "Checkers up a the Farm" is 8" tall.

UCAGCO marked pieces are almost always marked "Made in Japan" and like other importers, one might assume that they were a Japanese company; however, this is not correct. The United China and Glass Company (UCAGCO) was based in New Orleans and New York. Ucagco was primarily the creator and distributor of dinnerware and glassware as well as the distributor of many Japanese china patterns during the early 1950s. UCAGCO dates back to 1850 and in the 1930s the company took on the official trademark of UCAGCO and began expanding overseas. After WWII was over, the company signed the very first contract allowing imports from Japan. In 1956, UCAGCO was sold to Sammons Enterprises.

UCAGCO produced two Rogers miniatures, "Chess" and "School Days". Both pieces were produced in white, as well as in color.

Another version of "School Days" displays a Capodimonte mark. The coloration and base are decidedly different from the UCAGCO version, although the figurine is otherwise substantially the same in terms of composition and other details.