Circa 1932-1933: Developed in the early 30s, the child's mug made by the Homer Laughlin China Company, was dipped in the creamy ivory vellum glaze. Orphan Annie decals were added for the Wander Company of Chicago, makers of Ovaltine. Hand applied green trim was added to the rim and the handle. The ceramic pottery mugs were only in production for a little over a year before a plastic version replaced the original HLCo ovaltine mug.
Little Orphan Annie was a comic character created by Harold Gray in 1924. When she debuted on radio, Ovaltine was the sponsor. The mug was just one of the many premiums offered by Ovaltine. "Hakes Guide to Comic Character Collectibles" by Ted Hake lists a mug, circa 1932
Plate 157 in David Longest's "Character Toys and Collectibles" (Collector Books, 1984) pictures the mug. The caption reads: "LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE MUG, used as a radio premium for the Ovaltine Company in association with the 'Radio Orphan Annie' show. This mug's pictures are an example of one of the most attractive of all Ovaltine mugs. Glazed ceramic with a green band around top . . . "
