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George Zoltan Lefton, Importer and Entrepreneur (1905 to 1996)

George Zoltan Lefton circa 1939 Budapest

George Zoltan Lefton (nee Lefkovits), also referred to as Geo Z Lefton, Geo Zoltan Lefton, and G.Z. Lefton, arrived in the United States from Hungary in 1940, along with his brother Andor (Andrew) Lefton on the S.S. Manhattan (Hamburg) leaving their German-occupied Hungary and family behind to seek a safe refuge from war-torn Europe. Left behind was his youngest brother, Leslie (Laci)and parents Morris and Maria. Although Lefton and his family made their living in Hungary in retail sportswear his passion for fine porcelain turned from a hobby into a business when he founded the Lefton Company in 1941 in Chicago.

During the early years of "Lefton China" George Lefton imported china figurines and tableware from his native Hungary and sold them to shops in Chicago and at ethnic picnics and gatherings in the Chicago area. When Pearl Harbor was bombed in 1941, many Japanese-owned businesses in Chicago were looted. Lefton helped board up a business owned by Kanji Nunome, a Japanese-American friend. After the war, Nunome assisted Lefton in developing essential relationships with china producers in Occupied Japan.

Japan was occupied by the Allied forces with its unconditional surrender in August of 1945. The Allies' plan was to help Japan rebuild and grow, but not to allow Japan to have the manufacturing capabilities to rearm itself. Pottery and porcelain manufacturing fit into the areas of acceptability as set by General Douglas McArthur and the Allies. Lefton was one of the first American businessmen to deal with the Japanese after World War II having obtained a "scab" visa from the U.S. Occupied Japan Military Government. The first pieces of Lefton China with the "Made in Occupied Japan" mark reached the United States in 1946.

George was joined in the business by his brother, Andrew (Andor) after World War II where he served in the U.S. Army-Air Corps. His youngest brother, Leslie, joined the company after 1956 when the remaining family escaped from Hungary during the Hungarian Revolution.

Lefton China produced giftware in Occupied Japan included a wide range of pieces, dating from 1946 to 1952. Designs ranged from delicate, formal pieces with gold edging and soft floral patterns to the whimsical and playful designs of the 1950s. Many of the pieces of Lefton China from Occupied Japan were produced by the Miyawo Company during this period. The quality and price were both good on Lefton China pieces from this period. Over the years, the Lefton Company has produced numerous products that are highly sought after by collectors including, but not limited to, dinner ware, cookie jars, holiday items, figurines, teapots, jam jars, planters, pitchers, shakers, Red Hat pieces, wall pockets and head vases, among many others. Ultimately, the Lefton catalog contained nearly 3,000 items.

Example of a Lefton China back stamp showing Hungarian crown of St. Stephen

At one time Lefton products were sold in over 10,000 shops in the United States, and given their popularity, it seems unlikely that one could go very far in any antique mall in the country without finding a piece of Lefton china or a Lefton figurine. Lefton China can be identified by the marks on the base of each piece. Identifying marks vary, but they may include "Lefton's," "Lefton China," "Geo. Z. Lefton," "G.Z.L.," or just a letter "L." Many pieces were marked by both a maker's mark and a paper label. Those made from 1946 to 1952 will also include "Made in Occupied Japan" as a part of the identifying markings.

Example of a G.Z. Lefton product sticker

Lefton China continued to be produced in Japan until the 1970s. Production in the 1980s and beyond moved to Taiwan and Malaysia. Most importantly, the quality remained high. George Z. Lefton died in 1996 and the Lefton Company was sold to OMT Enterprises of Gardena, California, in 2005 and is now a division of that company. The name “Lefton” is still used. The company mark has changed through the years and a mark is usually used for a long period of time.

See more:

Lefton China Collectables

Worthpoint, Lefton China Figurines

American Antiquities, Journal Article