Collections - Summary

Created by Julie Goucher, Jan 2015 using Wordle

Last week I shared a few posts about collections.

Those posts had actually been written with a specific organisation in mind, and I broke those posts down and shared them here. I had meant to get back to you with this post, but life got in the way. You know that feeling....don't you?

If you missed those earlier posts then here are the links for you:

• Motivational Monday - Understanding a Collection
• Tuesday's Tip - Recognise a Collection
• Web Wednesday - Software Collection

I have recognised I have a few collections. That is probably the first step. Then there are decisions to be made on what to do with them. WHY do I have those collections. There are an assortment of reasons why I have some collections.

• Gifts or Sentimentality attached to the collection - Stamps
• Expanding a further area of research - Postcards
• Reading material - books, articles and journals

As I stated last week, all my books are kept in LibraryThing. I have also added to my LibraryThing Microfiche, Data CD's, Audio books, Journals and Specific Articles. My thinking here was if the physical item exists in my home library / office then it would be logged on my LibraryThing account.

The bulk of my collections are linked to specific places - probably my One Place Studies, but not exclusively so. I have a very large collection of Guildford (Surrey, England) material and whilst Guildford is not currently registered as a study, it is just that in some way.

I also have a few things that relate to my two One-Name or Surname Research for the Surnames of Orlando and Worship. Articles and journals relating to several health issues, are also featured in my collections. I have a particular interest in Polio for example.

I truly wish I could say that is all my collections, but it is not, and I get a sense that if you are reading this then you probably can think of a few collections you have!

I shared a few links last week to collection software. My personal choice is to use Excel. I have created a blank spreadsheet which can be accessed at Google Docs and via my website

Just as everyone's collections will not be the same, neither will the catalyst for starting them or how they are indexed. For me the point is not just collecting, but doing something constructive with the material once there is a collection. 

Treasure Chest Thursday - Pearlware Jug - Mary Clark 1802

Earlier in the week I spoke of a visit to the Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter. You can read my post HERE & see some photographs of the various plaques at Grave Encounters.

One of the images that I did not show was this little lovely item -

The details on the information card revealed that it was named for Mary Clark of Berrynarbour and shows the date of 1802.

The pearlware jug was made at the Swansea Pottery in South Wales. This type of pottery became popular in the late 1700s as a cheap and hard wearing alternative to porcelain. Much of the white clay was extracted from the Teign Valley in South Devon, actually not too far from where I live. It was mixed with flint to produce the required colour and pearlware was an improved lighter colour

Treasure Chest Thursday - Iodised Throat Tablets

I must have owned this tin about 20 years. Purchasing such old pharmacy items was a way of combining my love of history and antiques with the day job!

This tin dates from the 1920s and reads

"for the VOICE, MOUTH and THROAT

"Acts like a GARGLE. Always efficacious and reliable."

Treasure Chest Thursday - The Spectator 1712 - 1713

This lovely book is 300 years old. Isn't that fabulous. Not in the very best of conditions, but that is OK with me!

At some point over the last 300 years it has experienced damp and obviously endured some water spillage. I purchased this in the Spring of 1997 and since I owned it it has lived in our breakfast room display unit away from direct sunlight or heat.

Treasure Chest Thursday - The Agricultural Notebook by Primrose McConnell BSc

What a great little book this is. Essentially an early 20th Century farming and agricultural labouring encylopedia. 

The first edition was published in 1883, towards the end of the Victorian era, although this 9th Edition was published in 1919.

This 9th Edition contains a dedication to the author by his father as the author died in the last months of the First World War.

I get a sense with this book, of a labourer or farmer sitting at his table pondering on the details contained within the pages.  How to grow Sainfoin (page 222), Mowing and haymaking (page 79), Ear marking of cattle for registration (page 405), Analysing cream (page 346) or the complexities of milk secretion (page 346). 

Fascinating!

Treasure Chest Thursday - Horton Parish Mug - Queen Victoria Jubilee 1887

Horton Parish Mug

This mug would have been presented to members of the Parish. It bears the following details of Officers of the Parish

Parish Councillors;

 John Munro - Chairman,

William Harrison - Vice Chair,

John Challenor

Ralph Heath

Henry Clews

Thomas Meyer Simister

William Critchlow,

James Holdcroft,

Sampson Warrington.

Treasurer - James Swindells.

Clerk, Herbert Clews.

Vicar, Rev. Bennett Blakeway

Churchwardens – Thomas Meyer Simister

 John Challenor.

Overseers of Poor - James Morton,

Sampson Warrington.

 Assistant Overseer - Herbert Clews.

Highway Surveyors for - Horton, George Thomas Heath.

Horton Hay, Richard Heath.

Blackwood, William Harvey Sear.

Crowborough - Job Bailey.

Gratton - Arthur Cotterill

District Councillors - Ralph Heath

John Challenor.

Orlando Cherry Brandy

The story behind these little pots is quite interesting.

I inherited a plate from my Grandmother with a very similar patten on it. The design was by the artist, Wattau.

So, in my search to see if there were any other similar plates I came across one of these little pots. On the back is the details of Orlando Cherry Brandy, Aidee liqueurs, Torquay. Interesting, as the name of Orlando appears in my Italian ancestry, I simply had to buy the little pot. Then I bought another, and another.....
I actually do not live too far from Torquay, so I set about to research a little about the business, that closed long ago.

Tea Cup Tuesday - Royal Commemoratives

There is not a lot I can tell you about this commemorative. It was produced for the reign of King George V and Queen Mary 1910 - 1935. There are no marking on the bottom. The only patten there is, is the one above. Nothing is printed on the reverse. The little cup, probably a coffee cup is in good order, with a small chip on the top rim.

The china itself has a Austrian feel to it that is replicated in some slightly earlier pieces that I have. Based upon those details and the feel of the china I would date this circa 1910 and suggest that it is a Coronation piece rather than a Jubilee example.

Taking part in Tea Cup Tuesday hosted by Artful Affirmations & Martha's Favourites

Tea Cup Tuesday - Royal Commemoratives 1935

 This mug was made by Wagstaff and Brunt in Staffordshire to commemorate the Silver Jubilee in 1935. A lovely solid, with no damage and a lovely silver detail to the top rim of the cup. The is, as you would expect some crazing, but that is all part of the charm.

This is the last of the cups that resides on this picture window shelf in our lounge.

Submitted as part of Tea Cups Tuesday hosted by Artful Affirmations & Martha's Favourites

Tea Cup Tuesday - Royal Commemoratives 1897

This is one of my favourites. Made by Foley for the 60th Jubilee of Queen Victoria. The number displayed in the last photo, represents the year it was made which confirms 1897.

I am not sure what the pink swirl is on the middle photo. When I purchased the cup about 10 years ago it was there, and on looking at it again, as I write this post I wonder if it is dye from the pretty pink floral design that can be seen on the first photo, but then again, should that have been there? Or is this an 1897 rejects piece? There was a lot of crazing on this cup, but that adds to the appeal, it shows that it has been treasured and loved before I purchased it.

Here it is, sitting on the shelf that I have been featuring recently.

Submitted as part of Tea Cups Tuesday hosted by Artful Affirmations & Martha's Favourites

Tea Cup Tuesday - Queen Victoria 1887 - Oxford

So, this week another mug that sits on the picture window shelf in our lounge. This was a purchase from an antique shop or perhaps eBay.

Made, with no markings to commemorate the Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887. When I purchased it, it already had the crack that is visible. I like these pieces that we made not just commemorate the event, but that they are named with the town they were from. This particular one is from Oxford. We have a plate for the 1887 Jubilee with Salisbury on.

Submitted as part of Tea Cups Tuesday hosted by Artful Affirmations & Martha's Favourites

Tea Cup Tuesday - Peace Mug 1918

In view of the fact that we Commemorate Remembrance Day on Friday, I thought that I would share this delightful mug from the First World War with you. It sits on the picture window in our lounge and is the first mug on the left.

Submitted as part of Tea Cups Tuesday hosted by Artful Affirmations & Martha's Favourites

Tea Cup Tuesday - A Commemorative Mystery -1934

Our house is a late Victorian one, set across three levels. Our lounge was orginally two rooms and at some point has been converted into one lengthy room of around 27 foot. The doorway of the first room has been removed and subsequently blocked in and replaced with a picture window and a ledge, which is a very suitable place to display some treasures. Over the coming weeks I shall share them with you.

So first up, is the mug third from the left. I have no idea what this mug is commemorating. I purchased it from eBay about 5 or so years ago. It wasn't very expensive under £5 and came with the crack!

The date being commemorated is 18th December 1934 and from the coat of arms could represent an event in Cornwall or with a sea faring history, or even those with a mining heritage.

Any suggestions?

Submitted as part of Tea Cups Tuesday hosted by Artful Affirmations & Martha's Favourites

Tea Cup Tuesday - Royal Commemoratives 1887

Hello & welcome to the latest addition to my regular series called Tea Cup Tuesdays. I was so glad that I stumbled across this meme a couple of months ago. It gives me chance to share my treasures and have a wander down memory lane as I recall the story that accompanies the various tea cups.

This week is a Victorian coffee cup, produced to commemorate the Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887. I promise, I do have other non commemorative tea cups, but I am posting about them in the order they appear in the china cabinet in my breakfast room! I know your probably thinking that is organised, but it really helps my shocking memory!

Here is the little treasure

Isn't it sweet? This was my first purchase back in 2002 from a well known auction site - eBay! The little coffee cup cost about £5 and I was delighted with the purchase. It didn't matter that it had some damage to it, as that I feel simply adds to the character of such a little piece. I wonder who purchased this item and from where and how much. I do wish the little cup could tell me of its life before I purchased it, but that is not to be. So it sits in my china cabinet, amongst the china that I have either collected or inherited and is often admired.

Submitted as part of Tea Cups Tuesday hosted by Artful Affirmations & Martha's Favourites

Tea Cup Tuesday - Royal Commemoratives 1902

Welcome to Tea Cup Tuesday.

On Sunday night, as I sat down to watch the Antique Road show (broadcast by the BBC here in the UK), I was contemplating the next object for my Tea Cup Tuesday post. I have quite a choice, each object with their own story to tell. Then on the program was the fascinating story of a 1902 Royal Commemorative tea cup. I thought that this would make a wonderful Tea Cup Tuesday post, especially for those outside of the UK.

So, here is the synopsis of that story and the guideline price and some photographs that I managed to take while pausing the program.

The Story was that the owner's Grandmother had knitted a blanket to send to King Edward upon his Coronation in 1902. The lady wrote to Buckingham Palace and in time received a response, from the Lady in Waiting to Queen Alexander, that it not correct protocol to receive a gift from a commoner and the Queen would like to purchase the blanket. A letter was returned objecting to accepting payment for the gift. A reply from the Lady in Waiting arrived, with the suggestion that gifts be exchanged between Queen Alexander and the lady in question.

The box was then opened and initially revealed the original wrapping paper sent from Buckingham Palace.

Then the delights from within were revealed....

Then, as the cup was tilted, a surprise revealed

Yes, it is the imprint of the face of Queen Alexander.

Here is the complete set & then the valuation......

The expert valued the set at £30-£40 because so many of this style of cup were made. I have a similar style set HERE. I was surprised at that, simply because that is the value, I would pay now for the cup and saucer, but here we have a piece of social history and quite a story, including the name that the person the gift was given to. Of course, if this was in my family I would never part with it and hopefully this chap (left) will keep it as part of his history.

The key question is, Does the blanket still exist in the Royal Household or in their archives?

Submitted as part of Tea Cups Tuesday hosted by Artful Affirmations & The Plumed Pen

Tea Cup Tuesday - Another Commemorative!

I thought for this Tea Cup Tuesday I would post this one, although not a tea cup, it is fascinating and I hope people enjoy it.

This mug would have been presented to members of the Parish. It bears the following details of Officers of the Parish. Sadly, this example has suffered some damage, but nevertheless is a lovely commemorative piece with some local history & genealogical data.

Rector – Rev G J Birch M.A
Lay Representatives -  Mr. I. L. Hamshaw
Churchwardens – Wm Myatt & George Johnson
Organist – Henry J Williams
Sexton – Charles Goodall
Parish Clerk – William Galt
Teachers – Edward Heal, G. E. Heal, Katie Heal, Sarah Ann Ardern, Ada Arden & Edith Eaton


Parish Council


Franklin Ardern (chairman)
George Johnson (Clerk)
John Allcock
Isaac Matthews
William Lomas
Peter Handley
Edward Clowes


Overseers


William Myatt
Joseph Symer


Surveyor of the highways  - Enoch Loratt

Bagnall is in Staffordshire in the mildlands of England. There is a parish community page HERE which confirms the name of the Rector as George Thomas Birch who was rector for 41 years.

This mug I purchased back in 2004 from eBay. I knew it was damaged when I purchased it, and that added to the history of the item. I think I paid about £10 for the it.

Submitted as part of Tea Cups Tuesday hosted by Artful Affirmations & Martha's Favourites