TEA LEAF ONLINE                              June 29, 2003
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What's the story with this tiny little Teaberry eggcup? Read more in the Letters section below.

July 7	Auction Consignments Due
July 12	Order deadline for special Giftique items -- see Marie's letter below
July 31	Exceptional Service Awards Nomination Deadline
August 1	Silent Auction Donation Deadline to support the printing of the American chapter of the Tea Leaf Handbook
August 1	Sign-up Deadline for the American and Elsmore & Forster Exhibits
August 18	Convention Early Bird Registration Deadline
August 18	Hotel Reservation Deadline
September 18-21	CONVENTION 2002 Tea Leaf Returns to the Heart of America

DISCUSSION TOPIC:  MUSEUMS

Denny Kear reported "that Paul Markel came up with the idea of donating pieces of Tea Leaf to the museum for their general store display. " At the Prairie Regional we visited a restored home that displayed Tea Leaf and would welcome more to display. What do you think of the club donating pieces of Tea Leaf to local museums as part of its educational goal? Have you donated anything? Do you know of places that would accept Tea Leaf? How should this be publicized?

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WEDGWOOD PLAIN ROUND BRUSH VASE
	Seller's Description THIS AUCTION IS 1 ROYAL IRONSTONE CHINA WEDGWOOD ENGLAND {CLEARLY STAMPED ON THE BOTTOM} 5" VASE {VASE ALSO HAS 5 FROG HOLES IN BOTTOM FOR FLOWERS HOW RARE} THE VASE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION.

UNMARKED BRUSH VASE
	Seller's Description THIS AUCTION IS 1 ROYAL IRONSTONE CHINA ENGLAND {NOT STAMPED ON THE BOTTOM} 6" INCH VASE WITH 5 DRAIN HOLES THE VASE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION.

MEAKIN BAMBOO BRUSH VASE
	Seller's Description 5" CONTAINER W/TEA LEAF PATTERN. VASE OR TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER? SIGNED, " ROYAL IRONSTONE CHINA ALFRED MEAKIN ENGLAND-LETTER "K" EMBOSSED ON BOTTOM & THE INITIALS, " E.F." EXCEL. COND. NO CHIPS OR CRACKS.

WEDGWOOD BRUSH VASE

Seller's Description You are bidding on a lovely Tea Leaf Ironstone brush holder from Wedgwood & Co. This piece stands 5 inches tall and is 2 3/4 inches in diameter. This piece is marked on the underside with a black Wedgwood & Co. inkstamp (see photo). This piece has one spot on the rim with a brown age spot and a short 1/4 inch hairline where someone tried to chip it and failed. Everything else is in great condition with just some very light crazing on the body of the piece. This is a very attractive piece of Tea Leaf that will add to any collection.

ANTHONY SHAW BASKETWEAVE 3-PC BUTTER DISH

Seller's Description This is a 3 Pc. Tea Leaf Ironstone Butter Dish made in England by Anthony Shaw & Son in the basket weave pattern. The set includes the top, the bottom and the drain insert. This dish has some issues. The top has 1/4" flake on the bottom edge that is barely visible. The bottom has some staining, a 1/4" chip on the back side of one handle, a 7/16" chip on the back and edge of the other handle, a 1" crack and 2 tiny chips on the underside of the top rim. The drain insert has some staining. All the pieces have crazing in the glaze.

The T-shirts are in early this year, so you might want to take the opportunity to reserve them early as well. They are a beautiful medium blue with a white design. They are made of 100% cotton and come in sizes Medium, Large, X-Large and XX-Large. Each shirt is $12.00 (a savings over the last couple of years).

I asked an artist from Vermont to design a sample floorcloth for Tea Leaf Club members. Floorcloths were used for hundreds of years in place of costly carpets in early American colonial homes. These cloths are made of 10 cotton canvas, water-based paints, adhesives and sealers. They are waterproof, sun, spill and stain resistant and will not fade. They go well in sunrooms, bathrooms, laundry rooms, under plants, highchairs, boots, and in front of kitchen sinks, stoves and refrigerators. They even look great on porches!        [Placemat version shown at left.]

Item	Size	Cost
Floor mat	2' by 3'	$135.00
Boot mat	18” by 34”	$ 83.00
Placemats	14” x 17”	$ 25.00

We bought this small variant lamp ( 10 1/2 inches tall ) last summer coming back from the Tea Leaf convention. Found two of them in a shop in Jacksonville Tx. They wanted $20.00 for the set. While the man was packing them he broke one, woe did that break my heart, so he charged us $10.00 instead and also gave us the broken one. Now that we have a camera, lol , we can start taking some pictures. This really is a cute tiny little lamp. We had never seen one and I am not sure of the maker ( forgot the name ) . We have seen vases etc. with this T/L variant on it on ebay but because I want to know the maker again I cannot find a piece on ebay. Can anyone tell us who the maker is??????? Love Ya All Tinker and Lona

[Lona,  Your LaPere (sp?) lamp is cute, but it's not an item that I would personally consider to be Tea Leaf.  Have you noticed that lots of LaPere pieces seem to be listed on eBay recently?  DA]

FOUND THIS SMALL TEABERRY EGG CUP TODAY WHILE LOOKING AROUND AN ANTIQUE SHOP ON MY LUNCH BREAK. AS YOU CAN SEE IT IS A LOT SMALLER THAN THE NORMAL EGG CUP, IT DOES HOWEVER HOLD A NORMAL SIZE EGG QUITE NICELY. IT IS 2 1/4" TALL AND ABOUT 2" OD. THE BOTTOM APPEARS TO BE UNGLAZED, BUT THERE IS A SMALL PAINTERS MARK IN COPPER LUSTER THERE. IS THIS THE NORMAL SIZE FOR THE TEABERRY EGG CUPS?   BILL SMITH

[Bill, You've got another dandy find. Egg cups are found in lots of sizes as you show in your photo, and the little ones are the most difficult to find.  Below is a photo from my own collection of a couple of full-size egg cups and a couple of the more diminutive ones.  I've seen them in Tea Leaf, Teaberry and Morning Glory.  A couple of collections have examples of these small items, I recall seeing them at the Stoolmans and the Armbrusters.  Any of our other readers have examples?  DA]

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		July 20 July 27

	TEA LEAF ONLINE                              June 15, 2003
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Tea Leaf Readings Editor Chris Weinbrenner was spotted recently showing off a magnificent syrup pitcher.  Read about it in one of our interesting letters below.

DISCUSSION TOPIC:  DAMAGED TEA LEAF VALUES & REPAIR
Although damaged pieces have been discussed before, the topic ties in with our current discussions. Do you buy damaged pieces? How much do you discount a damaged piece? Are they being more heavily discounted as a result of Ebay? Do you repair damaged pieces? Does it pay to have damaged pieces repaired? What is the worst type of damage? What experience have you had with these pieces?	Have an opinion about this topic? Click below to send your  TLOL contribution

POWELL AND BISHOP DIAMOND SIMPLICITY ROSE SUGAR AND CREAMER
	Seller's Description We are offering this vintage set of creamer and sugar by Powell and Bishop from a recent estate sale. The creamer measures roughly 6 inches tall and the sugar 8 inches. This set in excellent condition with no chips, cracks or hairlines.

UNMARKED FULL PANEL GOTHIC PINWHEEL JUG
	Seller's Description A very attractive pitcher, English circa 1840-50. It stands at 7.5" and is 7.5" from handle to spout. It features wonderful copper lustre decoration and is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks or repairs.

UNMARKED TEA LEAF MUG  (WEDGWOOD?)
	Seller's Description On this auction we have a tea leaf mug coffee cup. The cup is 3-1/2" high x 4-1/2" wide with the handle. The handle is trimmed with the same copper color as the tea leaf on front, back and trim. In great condition, cup as crazing, no chips or cracks.

ELSMORE & FORSTER TULIP SHAPE TWO-BLUES SUGAR BOWL

Seller's Description EXCELLENT to PERFECT CONDITION. Antique 19th century IRONSTONE covered Sugar or Spice jar canister with dainty side handles. Molded decorative foliage swag accents, Rose Bud finial on lid, all beautifully highlighted in blue Delft tone glaze. Requisite wear to base as expected for age but otherwise MINT. Clearly 19th century, but with no registry markings. Bottom incised with: "No. 2 E&F." Is it English (Elsmore & Forster)? French? maybe American? Measures about 8-1/4 inches tall overall.

UNMARKED CHELSEA GRAPE BRUSH BOX
	Seller's Description Very nice covered dish with 3 compartments. Base measures 7 1/4" long and 2 3/8" wide and 3" tall to top of lid. The grape pattern is copper luster. No marks on bottom. Has a chip on one corner.

LOOK AT EBAY ITEM 2640661163 (SAMPSON BRIDGEWOOD & SON CHELSEA GRAPE TEA POT).  POT LOOKS LIKE CHINESE SHAPE TO ME. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANY CHELSEA BODY STYLE THAT WAS ALSO USED WITH TEA LEAF. BILL SMITH

[Bill, you ask an interesting question.  The Bridgewood piece you refer to is similar to Chinese Shape but not in any way considered to be in the Tea Leaf family, primarily because it's not ironstone but rather a lighter weight porcelain.  Additionally, the Chelsea decorations on this piece are not copper lustre so it wouldn't quality as a Variant on that count either.  But, your comment about not seeing a Chelsea Grape body that was also used for TL and Variants is what caught my attention because, indeed, we do see Tea Leaf and Variant body styles adorned with Chelsea Grape.  I am including here some examples of Chelsea Grape pieces along with their Tea Leaf or Variant versions. I have only showed lustre bands and Thistle & Berry here, but in the Chinese Shape body style is found in both CG and TL.  DA]
	Classic Gothic
Niagara Fan	Many Panelled Gothic
Grape Octagon	Wrapped Sydenham

Hi, Would anyone know what potter this is and the body style of this cup and saucer? No markings are on the bottom except a letter P. The cup has 12 panels and the saucer has 14. As you can see the Teaberry motif is in the inside of the cup and on the saucer and the cup has a copper band around the cup. Could it be Jacob Furnival? Thanks, Jean Cain

A long time ago I wrote a story about our twin lamps ( TEAFY and LEAFY) that we bought on ebay. We had to have them rewired and bought them each matching hats. Well guess who got a digital camera and guess who is learning to use it???  We decided it was time for you all to meet our babies. We also have another baby that we bought at the T/L convention two years ago.

	AS TO THE DISCUSSION TOPIC DO YOU BUY DAMAGED PIECES. YES I DO. IN THE ATTACHED PHOTO IS AN EGG CUP RECENTLY BOUGHT AT A SHOP, AS YOU CAN SEE IT HAS A HAIR LINE CRACK AND A CHIP. THE LOV CREAMER ALSO HAS A TIGHT HAIR LINE CRACK 2" LONG THAT THE PHOTO DID NOT TURN UP. AS TO HOW DO I DISCOUNT THE PRICE? I GUESS IT DEPENDS ON WHAT THE PIECE IS AND HOW I FEEL THAT DAY. THE EGG CUP, I THINK, WAS A NO BRAINER AT $5.00. THE LOV CREAMER WAS A LOT MORE BUT MY WIFE AND I HAD BEEN OUT ALL WEEKEND AND I HAD FOUND NO TEALEAF THAT INTERESTED ME WHEN I CAME ACROSS THIS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANOTHER ONE. I WOULD SUSPECT THAT I PAID 50 TO 75% LESS THAN MINT DEPENDING OF WHAT PART OF THE COUNTRY YOU ARE IN. I HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE MEMBERS OUT THERE AS TO THE NEXT PICTURE. I FOUND THIS IN A SHOP ON THE EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND TWO WEEKS AGO. IT IS 2 1/4" TALL AND 2 1/4" ACROSS. IT IS IN GOLD LUSTER, 4 TEA LEAVES ON OD, GLAZE HAS NO CRAZING, COLOR IS WHITE (BUT NOT BLUE WHITE), HAS NO MAKERS MARK. I ESTIMATE THE AGE TO BE 1940/50'S. I ASSUME THAT IT IS BY AN AMERICAN MAKER. ANY IDEAS AS TO WHO?

Marilynn Davis shows a bordered fuchsia tea pot that was one of several pieces purchased by her husband Bill. This was part of the "best buy" program. Bill was worried about the purchase because one of the pieces had a crack, but Marilynn was thrilled to have the teapot and several other pieces for $75. Definitely a great buy. The rightmost picture is a photo of the items Bill Davis got for Marilynn.

Charlie Warner showed the group two sizes of cable posset bowls.	For "rare or unusual" Chris Weinbrenner brought her J&E Mayer syrup pitcher with the pewter spout.	Glen Tull leads a discussion on stain removal.

Woody Birch showed a plate he found that had copper lustre with a floral pattern, probably black mulberry or raspberry. The jury is still out.

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		June 22 June 29

	TEA LEAF ONLINE                              June 1, 2003
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Hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.  I enjoyed the extra day off work and being able to spend a quiet weekend at home.   This weekend I drove down to Athens to Dick Brackin's newly-constructed home (well, it's not really quite done yet).  I promised Dick that I would help build shelves for his Tea Leaf collection.

The collection has been packed up for years due to his Hong Kong adventure and he's itchin' to get it unpacked.  Needless to say, Dick's expectations of how much we could get done were far more grand than the actual amount of work completed, BUT we're perhaps half way there.  I suspect we completed 100 feet of shelving and there's lots to go.  Nevertheless, even when they're all done, I don't think he'll have enough shelf space for his entire extensive collection.  I can't wait to see it all unpacked!

DISCUSSION TOPIC:  DAMAGED TEA LEAF VALUES & REPAIR
Although damaged pieces have been discussed before, the topic ties in with our current discussions. Do you buy damaged pieces? How much do you discount a damaged piece? Are they being more heavily discounted as a result of Ebay? Do you repair damaged pieces? Does it pay to have damaged pieces repaired? What is the worst type of damage? What experience have you had with these pieces?	Have an opinion about this topic? Click below to send your  TLOL contribution

WILKINSON MAIDENHAIR FERN CHAMBER POT

Seller's Description This Beautiful Antique Slop Jar has wrote on the bottom Royal Iron Stone China, A.J.Wilkinson England. This piece has a Beautiful Bronze Color Tea Leaf Design on each side and on the top, it also has a raised leaf on each side of the Handle in the white, which is hard to see, in the Pictures.Note! This Piece has a hair line fracture, and a little nick on the inside of the of the top.

ELSMORE & FORSTER MORNING GLORY COFFEEPOT & SUGAR BOWL

Seller's Description White with brown/gold trim. Teapot about 10 1/4" tall, 9" spout to handle. 2 handle sugar is about 8 1/4" tall, 7 1/2" handle to handle. Teapot spout has been repaired. Some crazing inside. Hairline crack from edge to about 2" from spout. A little discoloration around inner edge with some roughness. Sugar bowl has crows feet bottom with small one on side. Discoloration to inner edge with roughness. Some crazing to lid. Selling "AS IS".

ALFRED MEAKIN BROCADE CAKE PLATE
	Seller's Description This is a 9 inch decorative Tea Leaf ironstone plate by Alfred Meakin. It has scrollwork around the outside perimeter of the plate and it's very attractive. It has some very faint crazing. It looks great.

PAIR OF J&E MAYER RELISH DISHES

Seller's Description Two pieces of stone china, clearly marked, Warranted Stone China - J.&E. Mayer" on the bottom. The condition is very good. There is some discoloration from age. Believe these pieces to be from the late 1800's, early 1900's. The brown/gold leaf design and the line around the edge are excellent. They glow in the light, and have not worn off at all. Can't tell you what these two pieces were used for. Perhaps cracker dishes????? or relish dishes????? They are an unusual shape.

UNMARKED 3-PIECE IVY SET

Seller's Description This ironstone set consists of an 8-paneled 8-3/4” plate, a cup standing 3-1/2” tall, and a deep saucer measuring 6” across. It is decorated with a bluish-green (slightly flowing) transfer design of ivy vines, leaves, and tendrils. All of the large leaves have been embellished with copper lustre – which doesn't show well in the photos. The outer base of the cup shows some light crazing. Otherwise I can find no chips, cracks, hairlines, or repair. There is virtually no wear on the lustre. An interesting sidelight is a taped-on paper which states, “Blue lustre flow blue owned by John Wesley Rider & wife Sarah Bird Rider. Dates about late 1830 or early 1840. Harrison Co. Virginia, 12 miles from Clarksburg.” There are no maker's marks, but it is almost certainly from one of the many Staffordshire potteries. And, of course, it is not true flow blue. The set is very clean, and displays nicely, and has a shiny glaze.

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