Tea Leaf Club International | Additional Tea Leaf OnLine Back Issues
Back Issues - October-December 2000
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TEA LEAF ONLINE
December 17, 2000
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Welcome to the Holiday Edition of Tea Leaf OnLine and to the last issue of the year. Thought I'd start out this issue with a photo sent to us by Californian Valerie Giorgi showing her holiday table-top tree decorated with Tea Leaf butter pats.
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Who wouldn't want to eat their Christmas meal at this spectacular table?
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
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By now, you all should have received your Tea Leaf Club Membership Renewal mailing. Our Club membership year ends on December 31 and if you don't pay your dues by the end of January, you'll be dropped from the Tea Leaf Readings mailing list, the Regional invitation list and from Tea Leaf OnLine. On January 31, the Tea Leaf members-only password will change and only those who renew their membership will be provided with the new password. Don't miss out on any of the great information which we'll be sharing in 2001.
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RENEW NOW!!!
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Look for the email "splash" throughout this issue.
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Whenever you see it, you can click
it to send a contribution to
Tea Leaf OnLine.
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TEA LEAF ONLINE MEMBER UPDATES
Exciting news...Ellen Hill joins us this week . Ellen lives in Florida and New Hampshire and is well-known to Tea Leafers for her convention presentations. Ellen is Education Chair of the Flow Blue Collectors Club and author of a fantastic book on Mulberry ironstone.
Also new to our group this week, Jim & Judi Jones
Adele Armbruster reports a new email address
DISCUSSION TOPIC
DISCUSSION TOPIC: Holiday Wishes
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The holiday season will have come and gone by the time the next Tea Leaf OnLine is published on January 7. Tell us...was there any Tea Leaf on or under your holiday tree? Did you give or receive any Tea Leaf pieces?
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Have an opinion about this topic? Click below to send your TLOL contribution
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Please be sure to send in photos of your home and holiday decorations featuring Tea Leaf pieces. If you don't have a digital camers, that's no problem. Just mail me a picture and I'll get it scanned and posted.
TEA LEAF PUZZLER
No Puzzler this week but I'd love some suggestions.
SEEN ON 
Featured this week, a sampling of Tobacco Leaf...
Elsmore & Forster Tobacco Leaf Butter Dish
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Seller's Description
This is a very nice piece by Elsmore & Forster in the Tobacco Leaf pattern. It measures approximately 5 3/4" tall and 6 1/2" diameter. It is in wonderful condition, with the expected exception of the inside of the base showing discoloration and crackelture due to holding ice to chill the butter. It is marked "No. 2" and "E & F" on the bottom.
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E&F Tobacco Leaf Covered Vegetable
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Seller's Description
This item is a beautiful Covered Vegetable Bowl by Elsmore & Forster. The bowl is marked "Number 2 E & F", and measures 11" handle to handle, is 7.25" wide and 3" high. The top adds another 3" in height. There is a small factory inclusion in the top. See the photos to appreciate this wonderful offering. This is a hard to find item in such perfect condition.
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E&F Tobacco Leaf Nappies
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Seller's Description
You are bidding on a set of four (4) Elsmore & Forster Tobacco Leaf Lustre Nappies. They measure 5.25" in diameter and are almost an inch high. They are all marked "Number 2" and "E & F". The design is 1.25" rather than 1 5/8". There is slight wear at the edges in the glazing only. There are no cracks. These really sparkle!
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E&F Tobacco Leaf Waste Bowl
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Seller's Description
This is a very nice Tobacco Leaf Lustre Waste Bowl that stands 3.5" high. It measures 5 5/8" across the top. The condition is very good, with only minor wear from use. There are no markings on the bottom. This will be a very nice addition to your collection.
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Interested in Tobacco Leaf? The Spring issue of Tea Leaf Readings will feature a Tobacco Leaf "Focus on Variants".
LETTERS
Some people write letters to Santa, but Lona shares a letter to Edward Walley...
Hello Mr. Edward Walley,
I just had to write you even though I am about 150 years late (give or take a few years). I just wanted to say thank you.
I know you are probably thinking "Thank me, why? When you are done reading my letter, you will know why. I know that your time and my time is like two different worlds. I know that back in your time the living and working conditions were so very hard. I can't even imagine living back then. I cannot even imagine my grandchildren or my children having to work in the pot shops etc. Some of the children in your time didn't have time to be a child and play. It would break my heart today to see children 10 and 11 years old working under those conditions. For the moms of your time, it had to be so hard on them to have to see their babies work so hard and not be able to be just a child. With no modern conveniences, I could not have been a woman of your time.
I feel that in your time, you all wanted better for your families and what you didn't have or know about, you did not miss. Not like today, we would miss a lot, like electricity, Tea Leaf, washer & dryer, you've got mail, indoor toilets, vehicles, Variants, refrigerators, you've got mail, plumbing, Pre Tea Leaf, microwave, telephones and of course,Tea Leaf, oh yes and PIZZA.
I wish there was a way to wipe away a lot of the past. But you know Mr Walley, without our past, the creators and inventors, we would not be where we are today.
I read somewhere that so much of all of the ironstone you and the other potters made left England. Your ironstone went to the US and Canada. Oh, Mr. Walley, the way of living back in your time was so hard. It amazes me how such beautiful ironstone dishes etc. could have even been made. I recently read a article in Grandmas Tea Leaf about you, and it was so interesting, her book is outstanding. Then Nancy Upchurch wrote an article about you. Did you know that you are considered the "Luster Magician"? She feels that the eight copper luster motifs you introduced in the 1840's qualify you for that name, hmmm, I like that name. I know that you are sitting there saying "this lady needs to be committed, what in the heck is she talking about? Maybe she is a witch. We should burn her at the stake." Oh, I am just rattling on and I still have so much to say.
You would be proud Mr. Walley. We in the 21st century are very proud of your work you did. We know of some of the patterns you put on your ironstone dishes etc. Your Pre Tea Leaf, Variants, Chelsea Grape, Scroll, Palissy, Star & Garter, Hong, Foliage, Indian Stone, Moss Rose, plus your Gaudy patterns: The Wagon Wheel, Seeing Eye, Large Leaf and Blackberry. I know there has got to be more out there and someday more will be found.
I'm going to tell you something else, but please just read on, ok? We have a club here called the Tea Leaf Club International . We have a lot of members that collect copper luster ironstone from all of the makers of your time. We truly appreciate all that was made. We even have a convention once a year to learn more about all of English and American potters.
Mr. Walley, I recently bought a few pieces of your Chelsea Grape. As I held them I felt so strange. To think I was holding a plate that you had designed. You created them with your hands, brain and heart. I recently won (oh, don't even ask, that is a whole other letter) a Mulberry Wreath plate and two Niagara Pre Tea Leaf plates. I recentally bought 4 pieces of your Palissy. Just knowing I am getting them, oh my, I just get all wishy-washy inside. When I hold a piece, it is like going back into time. I can see you and you workers (in my mind) in your shop working so hard to make your wonderful ironstone.
Mr. Walley, there is still so much we do not know. Dog gone it, I wish you had kept a diary or receipts, something that would of let us know more about your time. We know that you lived and your business was in Cobridge. Who was John Walley? For a few years you were partners with a Mr. Elijah Jones. Who was this man? Then by yourself for a while, then you and your son were partners for a short time. I wonder, did your son love the business as much as you did? Did he have the talent you did to create such beautiful treasures? Did your son carry on the business and where, or was that it? Or did you all perish from a disease there in your time? Mr. Walley, if you did not all perish what happened to you and your family? Where did you go and what did you do? It is like you dropped off the face of the earth, you just disappeared, nothing, nada. No more writings about your wonderful ironstone and about you.
I know your sitting there in a state of shock, not believing that someone from the 21st century would be writing you. I know that you are there thinking "yup, she's nuts, she's truly lost her mind. She has got to be a witch, better burn her at the stake before she writes something else". I just have a few more things to say Mr. Walley, then I will leave you alone. If I were ever to meet you, I would give you a great big hug (where have you heard that before). I want to just say, thank you. Just like Annise said "your ironstone was all on a very superior body of blue white color that she doubts would ever chip". Nancy said "you are The Luster Magician". Mr. Walley, I know I am not the only one, so I'm going to say: We all thank you, we are all so proud of your works, we honor you.
I will close for now as I know you will want time to let all of this soak in.
Again Thank You,
Lona Trott
21st Century
P.P. No, I'm not nuts, well, maybe just a little???????? But,hee hee hee, you all thought I was done? "Wrong."
Imagine a letter being able to go back into time. How would they react? Imagine a letter from their time coming to me, and I would try and tell you all what Mr. Walley had written, that he told me everything. How would you react? Would you believe?
P.P.S. Breaker, Breaker 19 - This is TLeafanatic1800
Want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years. Yes, this has been a wonderful year for us, you have all opened up a whole new world for us through TLOL, Readings, Giftique, emails, mail, phone calls
and the regional meeting. It was so sad that we were only 100 miles from the convention, but Tinker is doing great and that is what counts. He is on medication to keep his ticker beating like it is suppose to.
Oh yes, this club is very special. We thank all of you for all the hard work you've done to make it what it is today. Tea Leaf is the " BEST ".
See you on the flip flop 2001,
TLeafanatic1800
Tinker (Oliver ) and Lona
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From Margaret Mitchell in Dayton, Ohio...
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all the Tea Leaders in the U.S. & Canada. Even the ones in China. I wish everyone good health in the New Year. This is the best country in the world. It's fun to visit other countries, but not to live. Good luck on Bay. Hope no one experiences "sniping" that happened to yours truly recently. They really are shifty!
May I add my THANK YOU, DALE also. Look forward to new ideas next year.
Sincerely, Margaret Mitchell
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From cold and snowy Michigan, Eleanor sends...
Cheery Holiday Greetings from beautiful, snowy Northern Michigan! One real positive about living in the Northland is that whenever the snow falls, snow plows are always available and roads are almost always open and kept up with up-to date equipment..and besides, I love it up here! My home is filled with poinsettias, evergreens and holly, no big tree this year as I will be in Virginia and Maryland with Jane and Anne and those wonderful GRAND children! Poinsettias, the small varities, are in Ironstone waste bowls, Tea Leaf, White, Variant, and look so festive. They don't take up much space and just add a lovely holiday color everywhere!!
I want to say how good it is to see and know that more Tea Leafers are actually using their treasured pieces..and so beautifully. The Widder's table is wonderful!!! I have felt that these lovely pieces were meant to be used..for using them truly doubles the enjoyment and pleasure of owing them. If Grandmother and Great Grandmother used them, why shouldn't we? My wish, this year, for a lustre band Grape Octagon Soup Tureen (Walley or Livelsy-Powell) didn't come true, so I'll just wish again...and maybe someone, somewhere will turn a bit of magic and help my wish come true!! Do enjoy the Season, dear Tea Leaf friends. Blessings to one and all and here's a wish for a happy, healthy 2001. And I couldn't sent this greeting without Dale's many, many efforts and dedication to the wonderful world of Tea Leaf..so thank you, Dale....let's keep TLOL going on and on!
Eleanor Washburn
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Holiday wishes from the Johnsons...
Happy Holidays & a prosperous New Year to everyone. The midwest is being covered with a blanket of ice & snow. We had ice before all the leaves fell from the trees so it is quite a sight seeing them blow across the white glazed snow.
Update regarding the membership. We already have 11 new members for the new year. Two came to us from the internet. If anyone needs brochures be sure to contact me.
Rebecca, I always put my Tea Leaf in the dishwasher & have had great results, however I do hand wash all my Adams.
Not much going on in Mo. when the wind chill index is - 45 & it is blowing pretty hard. Just enjoying being inside by the fire.
Look for Tea Leaf under your Christmas tree.
G & M
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Walt and Pat send Christmas and Hanukkah wishes...
Happy Holidays to everyone whether they celebrate on December 22 or December 25. This is a very special time of year and the Teal Leaf family are very special people. Hope everyone has the best of holidays.
Pat and Walt Stevens
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To accompany her photo at the head of this TLOL, Valerie writes...
I thought I would send a picture of a Christmas Tree that I put together using Tea Leaf Butter Pats for the Christmas Dinner Table. I am sure all of you have more than enough butter pats to make such an arrangement.
Hope each and everyone of you have a very HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!
Valerie Giorgi
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From the Kears...
Since we only have one more shot at TLOL this year, I thought I had better get on the stick.
The comments and pictures of the Chadwick auction have been great. I had to dig out my drool bid that is usually reserved for convention auctions. By the attendance I would say that we had a mini convention.
It was great to see so many club members support Carol's auction. It is not often that you will see that much Tea Leaf in one place, let alone have a chance to buy some of it. Sorry we couldn't make it but the club was obviously well represented.
As far as the Buy Now feature added by eBay goes. I give it a thumbs down. I believe this can be very costly for someone who does not really know what they have. As an example, the reticulated compote that Dale
recently purchased. Dale might have missed a chance to bid on it at all and the seller would have missed out on a super sale. Of course the flip side would be if Dale had seen the "Buy Now" before anyone else,
........well let's just say his smile would have been a lot bigger than it currently is. I believe the auction, even with the snipers, is the best way to go, and a lot more fun.
Just a reminder, membership renewal notices have been sent out, and I hope everyone gets their dues sent back to Fran ASAP. Our membership goal this year is 1001. We did a recount of last year's membership and
still came up a little short of our 1000 goal.
Hope everyone has happy holidays and may your travels be safe.
Denny and Connie Kear
[D&C, I agree wholeheartedly...I don't like the Buy it Now option either. eBay says it's evaluating the offering so it may be worth providing them with some frrdback about how we feel. Maybe they'll reconsider and drop it! DA]
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David Popovich wrote to ask...
What has happened to WICA (White Ironstone Club of America's) WEB site? I cannot find it in the search or link with in on this site.
Rgds
David Popovich
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[David, Thanks for bringing to our attention the fact that the WICA home page is now available at www.whiteironstonechina.com. If you haven't visited the WICA Home Page you may want to check it out - and while you're at it, print out a membership form and join the club. It's a great investment. DA]
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From the Widder family - ALL of them...
Just want to write a short note to all of our extended Tea Leaf family and send special thoughts for this time of year. Dan Sr. and I have only been able to attend the last two conventions and get to meet some of the people that we have been reading about for years. Also, to become a part of a fantastic group of people and realize and witness the hard work that goes into the yearly meetings knowing that they just don't happen. There is much time and dedication spent for others to enjoy. We want to thank each and every one of you for continuing on with your love of knowledge of Tea Leaf so that others, like ourselves, can benefit. We eagerly anticipate each new Tea Leaf Readings and want to thank Chris for doing such a superb job. We also enjoy the TLOL and can only imagine the hours that you Dale, puts into every weekly issue and agree with everything Julie wrote last week.
The Christmas tree and decorations have been up since the week before Thanksgiving as this is my time of year. Just love it. The excitement and anticipation of the grandchildren are beginning to rise as well as our own. Mom, Evelyn Boyd, younger brother and his two children will be coming in from Texas, our daughter will be here from Manhattan, Ks. son Jeff with son Zach from Grand Island, Ne. will be here also and of course Dan Jr., Julie, Collin and Alec live here. Some will be coming as others are leaving so it will be another open, swinging door Christmas. Didn't I say short note?
Merry Christmas everyone and a safe and Blessed Happy New Year.
Dan Sr., Sandy, Dan Jr., Julie and sons, Mike, Cami and sons, Jeff and Kay and sons and Jennie
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And, finally, from Hong Kong, Dick sends...
I agree with Julie...I am so fortunate to have become involved with such a wonderful group of folks...Actually, I had no idea more than 21 years ago when our friend, Carl Zehner almost insisted that Dale and I go to
Springfield, Illinois to that first "get together" of folks who were interested in Tea Leaf, what a wonderful part of my life it would become. So, along with Juliehoo, I wish everyone a very joyous and blessed holiday season as well as a happy and prosperous real first year in the millennium (there are still a few of us who are purists, you know!).
Speaking of Carl Zehner, he and Leo Lindsay can be added to the list of Tea Leafers who are China travelers. They will arrive in Hong Kong this coming Friday and will stay for two weeks. We are going to Guilin to cruise
the Li River. I also have heard from Joey and Bill Bear--they will be here in February and we will get together some time at that time. They will be in Hong Kong for three days, I think.
About the "Buy it Now" option. I just this evening saw that notation for the first time. It was not anything which I wanted, but I wonder if that is the reason that I did not see the Ceres sauce boat on eBay? Those
of us who work (even in retirement) do not have the opportunity, as Maxine and Gerald suggest, just to sit in front of eBay all day and all night every day and every night. There may be some great bargains there, but it seems that each person who may be interested in the item should have an opportunity at least to see it once before it is snapped up. Oh, well...
Enough from Hong Kong for this year! Happy, Happy and BIG HUGS to all.
Dick
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That's it for the week and for the year.
I got a chance to proofread the January issue of Tea Leaf Readings this week and was, as always, impressed with the wonderful information which Chris Weinbrenner, our editor, is able to share.
I also got an early holiday gift from Bev & Ernie Dieringer in the form of a "sneak preview" copy of the White Ironstone Club's newest publication, "White Ironstone Teapots: An Identification Guide". There are even some copper lustre decorated teapots included! W-O-W. If you're not a WICA member, you ought to be.
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My own holiday card to each of you follows. More on this interesting piece to come in January.
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Tobacco Leaf Footbath
A happy and healthy holiday season to all.
Dale
P.S. Please remember to renew your Tea Leaf membership today.
Want to send a TLOL contribution? Write to TLOL@aol.com or just click below!
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TLOL Publication Schedule
January 7
2001
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TEA LEAF ONLINE
December 10, 2000
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Only one more Tea Leaf OnLine this year. I'm leaving for NYC for Christmas, Chanukah and New Years eve so next Sunday's TLOL will be the final edition of the year. If you've got year-end or holiday wishes to share, please be sure to get them to me by Saturday. I received a wonderful letter from Lona that I'm saving for next week and I've got a special photo to share, too.
Look for the email "splash" throughout this issue.
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Whenever you see it, you can click
it to send a contribution to
Tea Leaf OnLine.
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TEA LEAF ONLINE MEMBER UPDATES
No updates or new members this week.
DISCUSSION TOPIC
From Gerald and Maxine comes an intriguing new Discussion Topic.
DISCUSSION TOPIC: eBay's "Buy It Now" Option
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What is your opinion of eBay's "Buy It Now" feature?
Example: Let's say an Anthony Shaw Tea Leaf teapot appeared with a "buy it now" of $50.00. How much fun would that be? Does this mean we are going to have to sit with the screen on and our finger on the mouse all day and all night? For those who think sniping is a problem, this could be sniping SUPER MAX. Items could be on for a matter of minutes. The one who sees a bargain first gets it.
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Have an opinion about this topic? Click below to send your TLOL contribution
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Not familiar with the "Buy it Now" option, here's eBay's explanation:
Learn about Buy It Now
What is Buy It Now?
Buy It Now is an exciting optional enhancement to your listings. As a seller, if you choose to use the Buy It Now feature at the time of listing, you will be able to name a price at which you would be willing to sell your item to any buyer who meets your specified price. Your listing will be run as a normal auction, but will now feature a Buy It Now price. Buyers will have the option to buy your item instantly without waiting for the listing to end or can bid on your item as usual.
Buyers, if you see a Buy It Now item, you'll need to act quickly! Buy It Now will only be available before the first bid is placed on the item. As soon as a bid is placed, the Buy It Now price will no longer be available and the item will sell through the normal process.
Why use Buy It Now?
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Buyers
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Sellers
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Buy items without having to wait for the auction to end.
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Sell your items fast, without waiting for the auction to end.
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Quick, easy, and convenient way to shop for the holidays.
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Quick, easy, and convenient way to sell items. Free for a limited time.
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The choice to buy first or bid!
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Get potential buyers to act on your items earlier
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Buy an item at a fair price.
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Sell your item for the price you want.
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Pay easily with a credit card if the seller offers Instant Purchase
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Get your payments faster by combining Buy It Now with Instant Purchase.
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How do I know an auction has a Buy It Now price?
It's easy! Look for the Buy It Now price on View Item pages.
 Note: eBay will be monitoring the success of the Buy It Now feature for both buyers and sellers. Should Buy It Now prove successful during the promotion, eBay may decide to continue this feature.
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TEA LEAF PUZZLER
No Puzzler this week but I'd love some suggestions.
SEEN ON 
ANTHONY SHAW LOV MUG
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Seller's Description
Manufactured by Anthony Shaw, probably Staffordshire region of England. 3.5" in diameter and 3 3/8" tall. This hard-to-find brown Tea Leaf pattern transfer has the tea leaf on two sides and a molded form of the larger plant on four sides of this attractive mug. In excellent condition with only very slight discoloration on the shaped and decorated handle.
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WILKINSON SUNBURST BUTTER DISH
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Seller's Description
This is an ironstone covered dish in the Tea Leaf design. It was made by the Royal Ironstone China Co. A.J.Wilkenson, England. The dish looks old. It has the tea leaves and trim in gold. The dish is 5 1/4" by 5 1/4" and stands 3" tall. The lid is 6" x 5 1/2". I think it must be an extra large covered sugar bowl for cubes. Maybe a small covered dish for something else. There is a chip on the inside of the cover. I tried to take a picture of it but it does not show well. This is a very old nice piece.
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ELSMORE & FORSTER CERES GRAVY BOAT
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Seller's Description
I'm pleased to offer for auction, a white ironstone gravy in the Ceres shape, from the 1860's. The wheat and husk design of the pattern is trimmed with copper luster. It's marked on the bottom with only a raised diamond-shape reg. mark that's unreadable. The gravy is 5" tall, and 8" from handle to spout. It has no chips or cracks, but does have an area on the inside of the spout that's either been repaired or was never glazed when it was made. It also has overall crazing with discoloration. Any questions, please feel free to ask.
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CLEMENTSON LUSTRE BAND NY SHAPE SUGAR BOWL
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Seller's Description
This nice early master sugar is marked CLEMENTSON BROTHERS HANLEY ROYAL PATENT STONE WARE. It is in WONDERFUL condition~no chips, cracks, or breaks~I can't even find any wear to the coppery gold decoration. This large piece measures about 8" tall.
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MEAKIN CHELSEA GRAVY & UNDERTRAY
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Seller's Description
Lovely! Here is a wonderful hard to find intact gravy TEA LEAF set! In Excellent condition this copper tea leaf still has loads of luster! The bottom plate and gravy boat with no repairs , no chips or age discoloration. Has slight age crazing , bottom of both pieces bear early Meakin mark. VERY NICE SET!
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LETTERS
A couple of emails about a prior discussion topic...the ability to inspect items at an auction and return pieces which might have uncalled damage:
Kimmey writes...
I feel it behooves the buyer at an auction to inspect each item carefully and bid appropriately--if they really want the piece, the price will go on up obviously as we have seen. I do not think the auctioneer should take back the piece if it is damaged and the buyer has not seen the damage. That is what the preview is for--to look over each piece and assess what you think you want to bid.
Norm & Lou Ann observe...
If you have an opportunity to look the items over, you know what you are buying and should not be able to return it. eBay items, if not accurately described, then you should be able to send it back.
Norm and Lou Ann Scott
And Wayne checks in with...
I believe it is the buyer's responsibility to know what he/she is buying when there is time to view items before an auction. To buy something after the buyer has allegedly inspected it and the auctioneer has announced defects just to send it back seems to be a waste of time. The auctioneer should point out most if not all flaws (the major ones for sure), but this takes time and slows down the auction and makes a long day even longer. Those people who do not get a chance to inspect items before should listen carefully and bid with caution if they are unsure. Oddly enough, in the few auctions I have attended the second sale price has been within $10 - 20 of the original price.
Auctions on eBay or auctions without preview time are, of course, another story. I should be able to see something before I buy it, or have the ability to send it back if I do not like it.
If there is inspection time and the auctioneer announces flaws, sales should be final.
Wayne Chadwick
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On the topic of posting past educational articles to the Club's website, Calvin Johnson writes...
The online research library is looking great. The photos of Elsmore & Foster Tulip Shape come through looking good on my setup, appearing to be an integral part of the website. If they are in PDF, any transition is transparent. The article on mugs came through OK also, but there was a noticeable (though automatic) downloading of the Adobe software. The second time I checked, it did not appear that the Adobe download took place. I take all this to mean that the PDF format comes through fine on my setup.
On the other question as to the usefulness of online versions of previously published articles, I think they are definitely a valuable resource. For me personally, it seems easier to work with the original printed material, as long as it is feasible to keep it handy. But for articles missed or lost, the online availability could be invaluable. In any case, a comprehensive up-to-date online index would be extremely useful.
Calvin
[Calvin, You're right, you should only have to download the Adobe PDF reader once. Once the reader has been installed on your computer, the ability to open future PDF files should be seemless. DA]
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The Widders share some wonderful family Thanksgiving photos...
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Hi , from Southwest Kansas . We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I wanted to share a picture of our Thanksgiving table. Most of the family came in including JN and Russell Moore from Sweet Springs Mo. Since we don't have a complete set of any one body style we decided to invite several of the great Tea Leaf makers. Among them we had Walley, Furnival, Shaw , and Meakin just to mention a few . We also used moms Broken Column pattern glass in the setting. Kansas has some of the best Pheasant and Quail hunting in the U.S. so naturally we had to get out the dogs and do a little of that over the weekend.
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Because we live so far out in the boonies we were unable to get to the Chadwick auction but I did leave a couple of absentee bids at the auction in Iowa and to my surprise I picked up 3 nice pieces Tea Leaf. I used the pictures the auction company placed on the net to help the guy in Iowa locate the pieces I locate the pieces I was interested in . It is kind of hard when they don't know the body styles and your talking over the phone but I got what I was expecting and in the condition I was told it would be in. First I purchased a nice Furnival cable mitten with no damage for a mere $90. This is our first mitten and we were thrilled when we got it in this condition and at that price. I also picked up a Furnival cable casserole lid for $35. And finally a piece which I can not disclose as it a Christmas gift for some one who gets this email. I will say that I got a great deal on it also. I talked to the auctioneer who said that most of the Tea Leaf he felt went really cheap and now I wish I had left more bids. I believe Woody Birch was there and gave some of the final prices.
A note on a recent eBay auction . The Elsmore Tulip mitten that Dale showed on the last TLOL. I bid on this mitten but was out bid at the end. I contacted the seller who stated that his reserve was a whopping $450 . I thought this was a little high .
Well better go for now. We want to wish everyone one Merry Christmas and hope to see you all next year.
Dan Widder Jr and Family
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Regarding the current Discussion Topic, Bev has some definite opinions...
I think we should email every seller that uses this feature and let them know that they lost a lot of money. I can't believe the prices that people got for ironstone pieces, from sellers using the buy it now feature. I think that if sellers can't wait seven days to make money, they should use the three day option.
Bev
P.S. By the way, I love these little star things that you can send email right where you read the question.
- - - - - - - - - -
And Julie writes...
As usual I'm way behind on hearing about anything new on eBay. I don't think I like it and I would probably be the last one to see any bargains and certainly the last to send an answer. So I'll vote along with Maxine and Gerald on this one.
Everyone who knows me knows that I usually have opinions on just about everything. First it always amazes me how TLCI members rally around when there's something that needs to be done. I'm so proud to be a member of a group like you. I don't think there is another antique club like us anywhere in the world. How come I got so lucky to become part of you. I'm really proud to call all of you friends. That crew really did a fantastic job of rallying! I, too, was a trifle surprised at some of the prices at both ends of the spectrum. Really too bad to see 4 piece sauce tureen sets going for not much money. However, there were a few other pieces that made up for it. I haven't heard from anyone about that Pepper Leaf coffee/teapot but I did get a message from one of you about some pieces to go with my Mayer washstand set. I'm sure I haven't sold the pieces that I already had. Is anyone interested in my Wilkinson set complete with everything but a slop jar.
I just want to wish all of you a Happy, Happy Holiday and a Merry, Merry Christmas. The three of us will have a quiet time and I will scold the daughters for buying me too many presents. I won't decorate like I used to and Roxann is working six days a week from 7 am to 7pm.
We went on the Christmas tour at Winterthur last week but were rather disappointed. It's usually so beautifully decorated but it was rather "blah" this year. As a member I did receive news about the Ceramics workshop and will hopefully be there. I'm looking forward to dinner on New Year's Day at Longwood Gardens with Roxann and my friend, Audrey, with whom I've spent New Year's for the last 10 or 12 years. The lights at Longwood will be wonderful and the decorations with thousands and thousands of poinsettias and other Holiday flowers will be spectacular and I wish all of you could come and see it.
A really special thanks to you, Dale, for bringing us all so close with the TLOL. You know how much we all appreciate it but maybe you'd like to hear it again. Okay - everybody all together - THANK YOU, DALE!!
Again, a wonderful holiday for all of you is what I wish and the best of New Year's with lots and lots of spectacular Tea Leaf finds in 2001.
Special love to special people from Juliehoo!
- - - - - - - - - -
That's it for this week. Please think about writing a year-end email to share with your Tea Leaf family. I've got some very nice photos from the Widder's Thanksgiving dinner for next week.
Want to send a TLOL contribution? Write to TLOL@aol.com or just click below!
|
TLOL Publication Schedule
December 17
January 7
(no TLOL Christmas or New Years weekends)
|
|
Dale
|
 |
TEA LEAF ONLINE
December 3, 2000
|
Two more issues of Tea Leaf OnLine this year so please be sure to send in a contribution for December 10 or December 17.
Only three emails were received for TLOL this week so I am holding them over for next Sunday and featuring the Chadwick Auction in this issue. Thanks to Carol for providing price information and photos.
Look for the email "splash" throughout this issue.
|
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Whenever you see it, you can click
it to send a contribution to
Tea Leaf OnLine.
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TEA LEAF ONLINE MEMBER UPDATES
Jean and Bill Cain have a new email address
DISCUSSION TOPIC
From Gerald and Maxine comes an intriguing new Discussion Topic.
DISCUSSION TOPIC: eBay's "Buy It Now" Option
|
|
What is your opinion of eBay's "Buy It Now" feature?
Example: Let's say an Anthony Shaw Tea Leaf teapot appeared with a "buy it now" of $50.00. How much fun would that be? Does this mean we are going to have to sit with the screen on and our finger on the mouse all day and all night? For those who think sniping is a problem, this could be sniping SUPER MAX. Items could be on for a matter of minutes. The one who sees a bargain first gets it.
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Have an opinion about this topic? Click below to send your TLOL contribution
|
Not familiar with the "Buy it Now" option, here's eBay's explanation:
Learn about Buy It Now
What is Buy It Now?
Buy It Now is an exciting optional enhancement to your listings. As a seller, if you choose to use the Buy It Now feature at the time of listing, you will be able to name a price at which you would be willing to sell your item to any buyer who meets your specified price. Your listing will be run as a normal auction, but will now feature a Buy It Now price. Buyers will have the option to buy your item instantly without waiting for the listing to end or can bid on your item as usual.
Buyers, if you see a Buy It Now item, you'll need to act quickly! Buy It Now will only be available before the first bid is placed on the item. As soon as a bid is placed, the Buy It Now price will no longer be available and the item will sell through the normal process.
Why use Buy It Now?
|
|
Buyers
|
Sellers
|
Buy items without having to wait for the auction to end.
|
Sell your items fast, without waiting for the auction to end.
|
Quick, easy, and convenient way to shop for the holidays.
|
Quick, easy, and convenient way to sell items. Free for a limited time.
|
The choice to buy first or bid!
|
Get potential buyers to act on your items earlier
|
Buy an item at a fair price.
|
Sell your item for the price you want.
|
Pay easily with a credit card if the seller offers Instant Purchase
|
Get your payments faster by combining Buy It Now with Instant Purchase.
|
How do I know an auction has a Buy It Now price?
It's easy! Look for the Buy It Now price on View Item pages.
 Note: eBay will be monitoring the success of the Buy It Now feature for both buyers and sellers. Should Buy It Now prove successful during the promotion, eBay may decide to continue this feature.
|
|
TEA LEAF PUZZLER
No Puzzler this week but I'd love some suggestions.
WWW.TEALEAFCLUB.COM - OUR CLUB'S WEBSITE
I have had a couple of emails regarding TLOL. In the first, one of our members writes "Help...the light color yellow is so hard to read. Am I doing something wrong? Has anyone else had this problem?". This question is a puzzle to me since I have used light yellow as a background color but don't think I've used it for text. Is anyone else experiencing contrast problems?
Also, from an unnamed reader comes the question "What music? Is there music with TLOL?"
Yes, on a couple of occasions, I have included music in the background of TLOL. The first time was when Lona sent in her famous song, sung to the Rawhide tune, and the week before last, "We Gather Together" was playing in the background. If your computer doesn't have sound capabilities you won't even know that the song was playing. If your does, it'll be a little added mood music.
SEEN ON 
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No eBay features this week...we've got spectacular photos (below) from our own sale!
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Seller's Description
|
LETTERS
Carol Chadwick was kind enough to send us the auction price list and I have selected about 150 items to print below. PLEASE REMEMBER that these prices do not reflect damage or other condition descriptions which might have been highlighted at the sale. This list is intended only to give those who were at the sale some exciting memories and those who missed the auction some items to drool over.
                        |
Lot #
|
Item
|
Sale Price
|
                        |
77
|
Adams Empress Creamer
|
$65.00
|
||
225
|
Adams Huron Plate
|
$35.00
|
||
224
|
Adams Huron Platter
|
$150.00
|
||
389
|
American Child's Copper Tea Leaf Teapot
|
$600.00
|
||
340
|
Burgess Shield Shaving Mug
|
$300.00
|
||
416
|
Cinquefoil 6 1/2" Pitcher
|
$575.00
|
||
180
|
Cinquefoil 9" Pitcher
|
$375.00
|
||
354
|
Cinquefoil Coffee Pot
|
$525.00
|
||
277
|
Cinquefoil Large Mug
|
$1,000.00
|
||
346
|
Clementson Augusta Honey Dish
|
$45.00
|
||
204
|
Clementson Elegance Teaberry Coffee Pot
|
$500.00
|
||
440
|
Clementson New York Teaberry Cup Plate
|
$90.00
|
||
363
|
Clementson New York Teaberry Honey Dish
|
$90.00
|
||
251
|
Clementson New York Teaberry Honey Dish
|
$60.00
|
||
371
|
Clementson Prairie Teaberry 9 1/2" Plate
|
$70.00
|
||
378
|
Clementson Teaberry 7 1/2" Plate
|
$30.00
|
||
153
|
Clementson Teaberry Heavy Square Creamer
|
$300.00
|
||
253
|
Clementson Teaberry Heavy Square Ewer
|
$1,000.00
|
||
367
|
Corn Tall Brush Holder
|
$375.00
|
||
184
|
Davenport Fig Cousin Creamer
|
$375.00
|
||
412
|
Davenport Rondeau Cup Plate
|
$50.00
|
||
343
|
E. F. Five (5) Tobacco Leaf Nappies
|
$400.00
|
||
422
|
E. F. Four (4) Tobacco Leaf Cups/Saucers
|
$480.00
|
||
108
|
E. F. Pepper Leaf 16" Platter
|
$70.00
|
||
200
|
E. F. Pepper Leaf Coffee Pot
|
$275.00
|
||
148
|
E. F. Pepper Leaf Covered Vegetable
|
$400.00
|
||
201
|
E. F. Pepper Leaf Creamer
|
$325.00
|
||
126
|
E. F. Pepper Leaf Gravy
|
$150.00
|
||
286
|
E. F. Tobacco Leaf 3-Piece Butter Dish
|
$800.00
|
||
129
|
E. F. Tobacco Leaf Creamer
|
$225.00
|
||
349
|
E. F. Tobacco Leaf Relish
|
$525.00
|
||
127
|
E. F. Tobacco Leaf Sugar
|
$175.00
|
||
270
|
E. F. Two (2) Pepper Leaf 9" Plates
|
$55.00
|
||
226
|
Edge Malkin Plate
|
$17.50
|
||
51
|
Edwards Dolphin 9" Pitcher
|
$425.00
|
||
111
|
Edwards Dolphin Cake Plate
|
$140.00
|
||
163
|
Edwards Dolphin Coffee Pot
|
$460.00
|
||
188
|
Edwards Dolphin Creamer
|
$225.00
|
||
85
|
Edwards Dolphin Ewer
|
$325.00
|
||
32
|
Edwards Dolphin Gravy
|
$160.00
|
||
385
|
Edwards Dolphin Relish
|
$110.00
|
||
96
|
Edwards Feather 3-Piece Butter Dish
|
$375.00
|
||
240
|
Edwards Feather 8" Covered Vegetable
|
$150.00
|
||
208
|
Edwards Feather 8" Square Bowl
|
$70.00
|
||
198
|
Edwards Feather 9" Pitcher
|
$175.00
|
||
394
|
Edwards Feather Butter Pat
|
$35.00
|
||
106
|
Edwards Feather Extra Large Bowl
|
$60.00
|
||
99
|
Edwards Feather Gravy
|
$95.00
|
||
120
|
Edwards Feather Sauce Dish
|
$25.00
|
||
400
|
Edwards Feather Sugar Bowl
|
$130.00
|
||
425
|
Edwards Peerless Bread Tray
|
$350.00
|
||
136
|
Egg Cup
|
$250.00
|
||
313
|
Elsmore Two (2) Morning Glory Cups/Saucers
|
$160.00
|
||
427
|
Four (4) Tobacco Leaf Cups/Saucers
|
$400.00
|
||
46
|
Furnival 4-Piece Sauce Tureen
|
$375.00
|
||
83
|
Furnival Cable Brush Holder
|
$275.00
|
||
80
|
Furnival Cable Chamber Pot
|
$225.00
|
||
79
|
Furnival Cable Ewer and Wash Basin
|
$350.00
|
||
84
|
Furnival Cable Hot Water Pitcher
|
$675.00
|
||
81
|
Furnival Cable Shaving Mug
|
$175.00
|
||
17
|
Furnival Cake Plate
|
$100.00
|
||
391
|
Furnival Gentle Square 4-Piece Sauce Tureen
|
$525.00
|
||
323
|
Furnival Rooster 3-Piece Butter Dish
|
$175.00
|
||
34
|
Furnival Rooster 8 1/2" Pitcher
|
$275.00
|
||
384
|
Furnival Rooster Gravy
|
$50.00
|
||
13
|
Furnival Small Cable Creamer
|
$160.00
|
||
237
|
Grindley Bamboo Shaving Mug
|
$350.00
|
||
405
|
Homer Laughlin Kitchen Kraft 6" Mixing Bowl
|
$10.00
|
||
310
|
Homer Laughlin Kitchen Kraft Bowl
|
$15.00
|
||
359
|
Homer Laughlin Kitchen Kraft Cake Plate
|
$40.00
|
||
334
|
Homer Laughlin Kitchen Kraft Cookie Jar
|
$40.00
|
||
341
|
Homer Laughlin Kitchen Kraft Pie Plate
|
$20.00
|
||
231
|
Hughes Two (2) Soup Plates
|
$60.00
|
||
166
|
Livesley Copper Banded Waste Bowl
|
$60.00
|
||
219
|
Livesley Powell 9" Gothic Pitcher
|
$100.00
|
||
304
|
Livesley Powell Grape Octagon Relish
|
$110.00
|
||
261
|
Mayer Oyster Bowl
|
$50.00
|
||
463
|
Mayer Two (2) Cups, One (1) Saucer
|
$10.00
|
||
165
|
Meakin Bamboo 4-Piece Sauce Tureen
|
$550.00
|
||
222
|
Meakin Bamboo Creamer
|
$125.00
|
||
170
|
Meakin Bamboo Creamer
|
$115.00
|
||
102
|
Meakin Cake Plate
|
$80.00
|
||
260
|
Meakin Chelsea Covered Chamber Pot
|
$150.00
|
||
320
|
Meakin Fishhook Cake Plate
|
$55.00
|
||
114
|
Meakin Fishhook Creamer
|
$120.00
|
||
358
|
Meakin Hawthorn 4-Piece Sauce Tureen
|
$500.00
|
||
355
|
Meakin Scalloped Compote
|
$250.00
|
||
150
|
Meakin Scroll Creamer
|
$205.00
|
||
8
|
Meakin Three (3) Nappies
|
$27.50
|
||
91
|
Meakin Two (2) Oyster Bowls
|
$130.00
|
||
256
|
Meakin Waste Bowl
|
$50.00
|
||
306
|
Mellor Taylor 4-Piece Lion's Head Sauce Tureen
|
$400.00
|
||
428
|
Mellor Taylor Brush Vase
|
$250.00
|
||
100
|
Mellor Taylor Child's Cup/Saucer
|
$60.00
|
||
319
|
Mellor Taylor Lion's Head Creamer
|
$100.00
|
||
205
|
Mellor Taylor Mush Bowl
|
$60.00
|
||
298
|
Mellor Taylor Ridged Brush Vase
|
$320.00
|
||
235
|
Morning Glory 7 1/2" Pitcher
|
$450.00
|
||
372
|
Morning Glory Teapot
|
$375.00
|
||
423
|
Pepper Leaf 7 1/2" Serving Bowl
|
$100.00
|
||
386
|
Pepper Leaf Waste Bowl
|
$265.00
|
||
365
|
Pinwheel Four (4) Cups/Saucers X 4
|
$400.00
|
||
137
|
Powell Bishop Gold Cake Plate
|
$35.00
|
||
57
|
Powell-Bishop Three (3) Rose Plates
|
$105.00
|
||
279
|
Reverse Teaberry Sugar Bowl
|
$925.00
|
||
75
|
Sayers Bud Vase
|
$50.00
|
||
162
|
Shaw 5" Hexagon Bowl
|
$80.00
|
||
305
|
Shaw 9 1/2" Soup
|
$15.00
|
||
104
|
Shaw Bacon Rasher
|
$25.00
|
||
146
|
Shaw Basketweave 9" Covered Vegetable
|
$220.00
|
||
113
|
Shaw Basketweave Coffee Pot
|
$260.00
|
||
214
|
Shaw Basketweave Creamer
|
$260.00
|
||
156
|
Shaw Basketweave Cup/Saucer
|
$120.00
|
||
308
|
Shaw Basketweave Soap Dish
|
$180.00
|
||
215
|
Shaw Basketweave Sugar
|
$140.00
|
||
307
|
Shaw Bordered Fuchsia Honey Dish
|
$110.00
|
||
117
|
Shaw Bullet 4-Piece Sauce Tureen
|
$275.00
|
||
142
|
Shaw Chinese 8" Pitcher
|
$190.00
|
||
125
|
Shaw Chinese Coffee Pot
|
$225.00
|
||
172
|
Shaw Chinese Covered Vegetable
|
$210.00
|
||
97
|
Shaw Chinese Gravy
|
$210.00
|
||
275
|
Shaw Chinese Large Waste Bowl
|
$140.00
|
||
143
|
Shaw Chinese Mug
|
$130.00
|
||
315
|
Shaw Daisy 12-Sided Mug
|
$325.00
|
||
292
|
Shaw Daisy Mug
|
$210.00
|
||
360
|
Shaw DeSoto Relish
|
$525.00
|
||
15
|
Shaw Four (4) Hexagon Nappies
|
$200.00
|
||
35
|
Shaw Four (4) Sauce Dishes
|
$170.00
|
||
245
|
Shaw Fuchsia 7 1/2" Plate
|
$40.00
|
||
161
|
Shaw Hanging Leaves 8" Pitcher
|
$475.00
|
||
210
|
Shaw Hanging Leaves Cake Plate
|
$275.00
|
||
337
|
Shaw Hanging Leaves Coffee Pot
|
$900.00
|
||
459
|
Shaw Hanging Leaves Plate
|
$35.00
|
||
25
|
Shaw Hanging Leaves Sugar
|
$200.00
|
||
195
|
Shaw Individual Baker
|
$25.00
|
||
140
|
Shaw Niagara Fan Cup/Saucer
|
$65.00
|
||
397
|
Shaw Niagara Fan Waste Bowl
|
$130.00
|
||
109
|
Shaw Panelled Cup/Saucer
|
$70.00
|
||
107
|
Shaw Scalloped Compote
|
$225.00
|
||
58
|
Shaw Simplicity Creamer
|
$60.00
|
||
171
|
Shaw Simplicity Gravy
|
$70.00
|
||
401
|
Shaw Three (3) Chinese Cup Plates
|
$180.00
|
||
78
|
Shaw Three (3) Chinese Cups/Saucers
|
$225.00
|
||
234
|
Shaw Two (2) Chinese 8 1/2" Plates
|
$60.00
|
||
105
|
Shaw Two (2) Lily-of-Valley Cup Plates
|
$180.00
|
||
413
|
Thistle Berry Honey Dish
|
$90.00
|
||
19
|
Three (3) Mixed Butter Pats
|
$15.00
|
||
24
|
Three (3) Mixed Butter Pats
|
$10.00
|
||
356
|
Tobacco Leaf 8" Pitcher
|
$525.00
|
||
16
|
Two (2) Mixed Hexagon Butter Pats
|
$20.00
|
||
160
|
Unmarked Square Ridged Waste Bowl
|
$60.00
|
||
169
|
Walker Creamer
|
$60.00
|
||
33
|
Wedgwood Daisy/Tulip Relish
|
$60.00
|
||
267
|
Wedgwood Square Ridged Bacon Rasher
|
$50.00
|
||
151
|
Wilkinson Brush Vase
|
$170.00
|
||
47
|
Wilkinson Daisy Cake Plate
|
$60.00
|
||
71
|
Wilkinson Daisy Creamer
|
$60.00
|
||
331
|
Wilkinson Flat Soap
|
$100.00
|
||
373
|
Wilkinson Hawthorn Creamer
|
$230.00
|
||
185
|
Wilkinson Maidenhair Fern 3-Pc Sauce Tureen
|
$750.00
|
||
206
|
Wilkinson Maidenhair Fern 6" Pitcher
|
$400.00
|
||
244
|
Wilkinson Maidenhair Fern 7" Pitcher
|
$525.00
|
||
324
|
Wilkinson Maidenhair Fern 8" Pitcher
|
$375.00
|
||
189
|
Wilkinson Maidenhair Fern 9" Pitcher
|
$375.00
|
||
369
|
Wilkinson Maidenhair Fern Mug
Note that the descriptions above do not include any information about item condition announced at the sale
|
$850.00
|
 |
|||
WOW!!! Nearly all the Sauce Tureens sold with their ladles. What a display!
|
|||
 |
 |
||
Margaret and Terrell
|
Annalea and Phyllis
|
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
Tea Leaf family helps out at the auction
|
|||
 |
 |
||
Wayne and Maryhelen Chadwick
|
The littlest Chadwick at the sale - John Carlson, 6 months
Future Tea Leaf Collector?
|
||
 |
|||
The auction crew
|
|||
About the Chadwick auction, Walt & Pat wrote...
We were lucky enough to be at the Chadwick auction and echo praises about the way the auction was conducted and of variety of the items sold. There were some interesting pieces and prices. Auction prices often reflect who was bidding and prove that Style popularity, consequently prices, change. For example, we remember Tom commenting on Cable as a Style worthy of investment, But it didn't appear true at this auction. A Furnival Cable bath set sold for less than $1800. This was a 10-piece set including a hot water pitcher. Of
particular note was the 3-piece soap dish that sold for $70. In contrast to Cable, Maidenhair Fern seemed to sell very well. (We will confess that we were among those who probably overbid for this style.) A Maidenhair Fern mug sold for $850 while the Cable mug was $175. (Note that the highest priced item at the auction was a Cinquefoil mug at $1050) The average price of 10 sauce tureens (4 pieces) was $420. The price of a 3 piece (no under tray) Maidenhair Fern sauce tureen was $750. Two 4 –pieces Cable sets each sold at $375.
With all auctions there appeared to be anomalies: $925 for a sugar bowl and $900 for a coffeepot, butter pats sold for 60 cents. Sauce tureens & cup plates seemed to be a bargain. Congratulations to those who found bargains and better luck next time for those who competed for the more popular items. This including the Stevens. The best part of the auction was getting together with our Tea Leaf friends, even though some of them here our bidding opponents.
Pat & Walt Stevens
- - - - - - - - - -
Wayne Chadwick observed...
Well, here we are two weeks after the fact and I am just now getting around to sending this out. (Actually, I do not feel to bad because after 3 weeks, we still do not have a president!)
First, I would like to thank everyone for coming to the auction. Just like convention, it was wonderful to see so many people and share some stories. I would also like to thank Terrell and his crew. They were amazing. The auction ran smoothly, quickly and according to schedule.
The sale prices seemed right on from my limited experience with just a couple of exceptions. The tureens (mostly of the sauce variety) seemed to go a little light. My father always told me that ladles alone were worth a couple of hundred dollars by themselves. If that is true some of you got some steals and those of you who were not able to attend missed some opportunities. Please understand, this is not a complaint, just an observation. This is part of what makes auctions so much fun.
Hope to talk to and/or see you soon. I am hoping to attend French Lick (Will Larry be there???).
Happy Hunting
Wayne
- - - - - - - - - -
Rebecca McElwee also comments on the sale...
Greetings one and all!!
Thanksgiving at our house is finally over after MUCH preparation! We ate on tea leaf plates and serving dishes, we do wash the plates in the dishwasher with soap and all and it has not seemed to damage our plates as of yet!!! WE do however wash our serving pieces by hand!
Mom and I both had a lovely time at the Chadwick auction. It was great seeing our Tea Leaf family, makes the holidays somewhat warmer! We brought home several pieces to fill out some sets of things we have been working on for several years, ACTUALLY one piece, the scroll creamer, grandmother had been trying to get that for about 40!!!! So we were very pleased to have made her Christmas wish come true! I also found the Mellor/Taylor brush vase that finishes my bath set and mom bought her New York Teaberry sugar bowl, minus lid, to finish her tea set in that style. If anyone has a lid to that, we would me MOST interested in possibly purchasing that! We have several good friends on the job and are hoping for a match!!!! I purchased the Grindley Bamboo shaving mug, and after becoming very concerned that I had paid 1000.00 for it, looked at my tickets and saw that I only paid 350.00. To our knowledge, Meakin did not make a shaving mug in the Bamboo style. So we improvised and purchased the Grindley, it goes quite well with my grandmothers complete set in bamboo. HEY....Grandmother did well this year! She has been good!!!!!! :)
I am amazed at Terrell and Phyllis, DO THEY EVER TAKE A BREAK!!!!??? Wears me out!!!! They did an OUTSTANDING job as did everyone who helped them. It warms my heart and I will think fondly of Tom and Carol each time I look at these cherished pieces that Carol allowed me to add to my collection!
Warmest holiday wishes to my Tea Leaf family and I wish nothing but the best blessings from our Lord for each of you this holiday season!!!!
Rebecca McElwee
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That's it for this week. Please think about writing a year-end email to share with your Tea Leaf family. I've got some very nice photos from the Widder's Thanksgiving dinner for next week.
Want to send a TLOL contribution? Write to TLOL@aol.com or just click below!
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TLOL Publication Schedule
December 10
December 17
January 7
(no TLOL Christmas or New Years weekends)
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Dale
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TEA LEAF ONLINE
November 26, 2000
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Lots of email this week sharing Tea Leaf thoughts and Thanksgiving good wishes.
Look for the email "splash" throughout this issue.
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Whenever you see it, you can click
it to send a contribution to
Tea Leaf OnLine.
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TEA LEAF ONLINE MEMBER UPDATES
Welcome to Michele Hundley from Louisville KY.
DISCUSSION TOPIC
DISCUSSION TOPIC #1 - The Chadwick Auction
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The Chadwick Auction...
Were you there? What did you purchase? What did you think of the variety and quality of the items? How about prices, any too high? too low? Your favorite piece? Can anyone provide photos and prices?
Final week for this topic
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Have an opinion about this topic? Click below to send your TLOL contribution
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DISCUSSION TOPIC #2 - Damaged Items at Auctions
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Several large Tea Leaf auctions have been held recently...Convention, Chadwick, Harris. Some of the items auctioned were damaged but there was ample time prior to the action to examine the items. Unlike eBay, the buyers had an opportunity to examine merchandise before bidding. How much diligence is owed to the buyers by the auctioneers and sellers? On eBay? At an auction? Do you think it is the responsibility of the auctioneer to point out all defects or should it be the responsibility of the buyer? Should a buyer be able to send back anything after it has been auctioned?
Final week for this topic
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Have an opinion about this topic? Click below to send your TLOL contribution
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TEA LEAF PUZZLER
What's wrong with this picture? These photos and seller description are from a recent eBay listing. What questions does this item prompt? What do you suppose the seller was actually selling?
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A. J. WILKINSON ROYAL IRONSTONE. THIS PITCHER IS IN THE TEA LEAF PATTERN. IT MEASURES 7 1/2" X 7 1/2" INCLUDING HANDLE. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL PITCHER AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE BOTTOM EDGE, FRONT LEFT WHICH IS DAMAGED AND IS SHOWN IN THE PICTURE. IT WOULD BE A NICE ADDITION TO ANY COLLECTION.
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AND THE ANSWER IS...
Denny Kear observed "The picture on the left is Fishhook, only made by Alfred Meakin - not Wilkinson.
The picture on the right appears to be the bottom of a Wilkinson, Maidenhair Fern pitcher/creamer. Bottom line, two different pieces pictured."
Helen (Heaivilin) Long wrote "What's wrong with this picture? The handles, shapes, glazes don't match.
What questions does this item prompt? 1. Why would seller be so careless in the obvious use of mis-matched pictures of pitchers in this manner, for the whole world to see their lack of attention to BIG details? Perhaps seller intended to sell both...yet neglected to provide separate, accurate descriptions and matched pictures for each."
Pat Stoolman summed it up with "Wrong picture for description and second picture."
Gerald and Maxine wrote...
The seller listed pictures of two different items in the listing. On the left the seller listed a Fish Hook pitcher. The picture on the right is the bottom of a Maidenhair Fern pitcher. Not only did the seller list this once, but listed it twice with the same description. The seller had multiple listings & got the photos confused. We believe the seller was trying to sell the Fish Hook pitcher in this instance. We never did see a Maidenhair Fern pitcher listed. We watched the seller hoping a Maidenhair Fern pitcher would show up, but never did.
P.S. On second thought after viewing this item we believe the seller probably sold a Maidenhair Fern pitcher. We'll be more interested if any such thing happens again. Our mistake, we let this one get away.
Virginia Beakey wrote...
The pitcher in the Photo appears to be a duplicate of my Meakin Fishhook pitcher. Whether the seller was really selling that piece or whatever piece is pictured with the Wilkinson mark is unknown. I emailed the seller and asked what he/she was selling, but got no answer back. I also emailed a lady who was selling a "matching" Meakin gravy boat and under tray. I told her that she had a Fishhook gravy and a Bamboo undertray/relish. Well.....she emailed back that they looked like they went together to her!!! Oh well.....
Katie Smith caught the discrepancy, too, when she wrote "I'm new at these guessing games but I think this picture is of a Meakin Fishhook pitcher, the mark does seem to be Wilkinson-but is definitely not a pitcher by looking at the bottom shape- you do have to be very careful what you bid on- let the buyer beware!"
Juliehoo, too, sent "The "Wilkinson" creamer looks just like my Meakin Fishhook creamer but that is certainly a Wilkinson mark. Looks like it may be on a rounder piece than the creamer. I still think the best one I've seen on eBay is the piece that the dealer called "a small bowl" that plainly was a saucer."
Of course, you're all right. When I saw this listing I, like Virginia, wrote to the seller to ask if the photo went with the mark. She wrote back, somewhat indignantly, that the listing was correct. But when you look carefully at the Fishhook picture and the feet on the picture of the mark, they just plain don't match up. Gerald and Maxine are correct, too, that the seller listed this item incorrectly TWICE! I did purchase the piece on the second sale and discovered much to my delight that I got a Wilkinson Maidenhair Fern milk jug, not a Fishhook piece. The only thing that the seller was right about was the damage.
WWW.TEALEAFCLUB.COM - OUR CLUB'S WEBSITE
For those of you who were quick to visit the Club's website to explore the online Annise Heaivilin Research Library, please accept my apologies for forgetting to publish the Lending Agreement. Nancy caught the error (of course!) and got me to fix the site.
So far, only Bob Skinner reports an inability, via Web TV, to read PDF files. But please, please, please, before we go to significant effort to scan and publish past educational supplements, we want to be certain you want and can access them in this format. Please visit and let us know what you think.
SEEN ON 
Focus on Pickle/Relish Dishes...
FURNIVAL ROOSTER RELISH
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Seller's Description
Offered for bid is a very rare tea leaf relish (mitten) dish in MINT condition. The dish is 8 1/2 inches long and 5 1/2 inches at the widest point. There are no chips, cracks, or crazing and the copper lustre trim is bright and beautiful. This will be a centerpiece for your Tea Leaf collection.
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CINQUEFOIL RELISH
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Seller's Description
Rare and wonderful White Ironstone relish with Copper Lustre "Cinquefoil" Decoration. Panelled Grape shape with great detail at end of dish. In superb, virtually mint condition. Great early piece, unmarked other than 2 impressed marks on bottom. Hard to decipher, but appears to be a T an a 17. Measures 5 1/2" x 9".(See pg. 162 in J. Wetherbee's White Ironstone book).
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TULIP RELISH
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Seller's Description
IRON STONE WITH COPPER LUSTER BAND AND FLO BLUE MAKER ELSMER /FORRISTER TULIP SHAPE MITTEN DISH 1862 EXCELLENT CONDITION VERY SMALL POTTERS FLAW ON BASE AND SURFACE LACK OF GLASE IN 2 AREAS
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LUSTRE BAND RELISH
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Seller's Description
Ironstone relish dish with copper luster band. Item is not marked. Approximately 8 1/2" x 5". Minor crazing and staing. No chips or hairlines. Buyer to pay $3.20 shipping Priority Mail. I accept payment by PayPal, Billpoint and money orders.
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PRE TEA LEAF RELISH
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Seller's Description
Pre-Tea leaf ironstone relish dish. Manufacturers name is embossed on bottom, but I am not able to read name. There is a square sitting on one corner with a letter "R" in center. Dish is approximately 8 1/2" x 5 1/2". Lots of crazing and staining. Two large chips on base. Buyer to pay $3.20 shipping Priority Mail. I accept payment by PayPal, Billpoint and money orders.
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ANTHONY SHAW DESOTO RELISH
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Seller's Description
"Extremely Rear DeSoto Shape Tea Leaf Mitten relish" with Copper Luster Tea Leaf design, date of register 1855 by Anthony Shaw, the item has the usual age crazing with no Chips or cracks or Repairs.
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LETTERS
Virginia and the labs write...
I'm taking some long hard looks these days at most of the stuff on eBay and am doing some study and buying mostly white ironstone. I have all the Tea Leaf I can reasonably display, but still PRAY that someone out there somewhere has a Lilly of the Valley creamer that will complete my tea set (Shaw, of course). Email at xxx.xxx if you find one lurking around, collecting dust. My complete Chinese tea set is currently on loan to a local museum. I visit it on weekends!!!
I plan again this year to set my Holiday table with Tea Leaf (only the Meakin) for my usual collection of orphans, widows, and former nuns who come for turkey day. This year, I can add my compote, displayed with seasonal fruits, and my sauce tureen finally has a ladle. The only downside is all the dishes must be washed by hand. Bummer. Has anyone out there ever just put Tea Leaf in the dishwasher with no detergent, just to rinse and hold until later? I can't see the harm in that, but maybe there is.
Happy holidays to all. I'm off to the West coast to visit my sister, my son, and Annise and Marcia who live nearby (I hope) and then it's knee and hip replacement for me in the new year.
Ciao, Virginia and the furballs here at Swanhollow Labradors
[Virginia, Thanks for the letter. I think your idea about putting your TL in the dishwasher just for a rinse would be perfectly safe...what does everyone else think? Can you tell us the name of the museum where your TL is on display and do you have a photo of it we could include in a future TLOL? DA]
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Regarding the Chadwick sale, Margaret Mitchell writes...
Hi from Dayton:
I'm using my regular "write mail" from the new 6.0 AOL. Think I wrote last week but couldn't send it from our TLOL area. Maybe I'm doing something wrong. Anyway, Tina Lotz and I enjoyed the auction and it seemed like a "mini" convention of Tea Leafers. Terrell and his group did a marvelous job of moving the auction along
and once in a while, Tina and I got a bargain. The great pieces brought a good price, so it was smart of Carol to relocate her collection and have it centrally located to acquire people interested in her collection. Was impressed with the Armory in Connersville. Extremely clean and well cared for. Been in others that were just
the opposite. The church food was also very good.
Been looking on eBay at the Tea Leaf for sale and comparing it to the prices at the auction. Don't think there are too many bargains--unless something is unknown, like the latest pancake pedestal plate and lid. Don't think the lid belongs with this item. Or am I wrong? Thanks for the Turkey picture and music. What a kick.
Sincerely, Margaret
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Nancy Upchurch sent...
Greetings everyone: I trust your Thanksgiving festivities were as delightful as ours. We drove down to Charleston SC to our son's home for turkey and all the trimmings. It wasn't served on Tea Leaf though. Kris is the collector in the family, but so far I haven't succeeded in getting him into Tea Leaf. He'll be inheriting it someday, so sooner or later, I'm sure he'll be a Tea Leafer.
I want to apologize to Stan Moreo. When I wrote about the Handbook being offered on eBay, I thought it was a used book that some dealer had picked up at an estate sale or auction. Curious, I E-mailed the seller and received a very courteous and prompt reply. Then I realized that the seller was Stan Moreo of WICA and TLCI. The books are new, purchased from the Giftique and offered to the public. As such, I think that Stan is doing a great service for the club in spreading the good word about Tea Leaf. Dealers who purchase the book from Stan will learn much more about their wares and should be able to accurately describe items. For collectors, the book should ignite a spark of "keramomania" (remember that word?). I suggested to Stan that he should include a membership brochure with each book offered. Is that feasible, Stan?
The Maillist is out. The first batch was mailed last Wednesday. Others will be on the way soon. If you would like a copy, please send me a SASE (legal size with 55 cents postage).
To reply to the discussion question: What did I purchase at the Chadwick auction? I wasn't able to take home everything that I had my eye on (the sauce tureen I mentioned last week, for instance). But I was able to win the bids for some nice items: the two Davenport nappies that led off the auction - not very good lustre, but I've taken a hankerin' for Davenport lately so I consider them a nice addition. My best purchase was the Pinwheel waste bowl which completes my Gothic pinwheel tea set. The Shaw Shield relish dish went home with me. I already have one, but some previous owner tried to clean it with chlorox - you know the result. I also purchased the Basketweave creamer at the request of a customer. Best part about this auction was seeing all the Tea Leafers that I usually only get to see once a year at convention.
Don't forget about the ladles. This project must progress full-speed now so that we can publish the supplement next spring. I was fortunate enough to find a Walley Grape Octagon sauce tureen complete with signed Walley ladle. The stand has an old staple repair and I just found out the ladle also was repaired with staples. I knew it was repaired - the paint job was terrible. I was surprised to find the staples when I took it out of the peroxide. Now I have to find someone who can put it together again - with staples - and paint it nicely. But a signed Walley ladle - I'm not complaining!
That's all the news from WNC (the W stands for Western). I'm looking forward to reading your contributions to this wonderful newsletter that Dale publishes for us.
Nancy U.
[For those of you who aren't on Nancy's mailing list, her Maillist of TL and Variants for sale is the BEST holiday catalog you could get. You can get a copy from Nancy by sending a SASE (55-cents postage) to her at
Nancy Upchurch, 18 Rosemary Lane, Burnsville NC 28714. It'll be the best 55-cents you've ever spent. DA]
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Ann Derner sent...
I enjoyed the music on the Tea Leaf Club this week. Could someone out there show me what an undertray for a Shaw cable gravy boat looks like?
Ann Derner
[Anyone have a photo I could post for Ann? DA]
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Regarding the pitcher and bowl that were shown in the last TLOL (subsequently purchased by HKDick), Katie writes...
I would like to know the answer to this same question - I have a set my mom gave to me in mint condition - purchased together approx 30 yrs ago - the pitcher is Brocade but the bowl has no embossing - I am really new at identification - having just received my Tea Leaf Handbook for my birthday this year - I will probably have lots of ????
Katie Smith, Nashville, TN
[Katie, we have lots of knowledgeable collectors online so go ahead and ask. DA]
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Speak of the devil, HKDick writes...
At the time that I read TLOL last week and saw Dale's "pitch" for the Meakin bowl and ewer, I was just a bit chagrinned -- sort of the way I felt when the auctioneer stopped at the point in bidding when I thought that I
had purchased my sauce tureen with ladle lo, those many years ago, to give a pep talk to the assembled bidders. As it turned out, I got the soup tureen for a fraction of what I would have had to pay today, and ultimately I got the pictured bowl and ewer, but for what is more nearly in line with prices today. In any event, I am thrilled! I agree with Dale, I certainly have not seen that pattern of embossing on a piece of tea leaf before. I have already sent a message to Nancy to ask if she has seen it before.
I looked at PDF and appreciated the photos of the Tulip pieces. I like Tulip more and more each time that I see it. I wish that I had been able to have been the purchaser of a couple of those pieces from Carol's auction. :-(
I hope that everyone had as nice a Thanksgiving as did I. I spoke with part of my family on Thursday night--my sister Valda, my niece Karen, my nephew Stephen and his almost three-year old son, Ryan. Then yesterday,
Saturday, I stuffed the bird and served a traditional American Thanksgiving dinner to six Chinese friends who had never tasted turkey, cranberries (I found fresh ones at Oliver's over in Hong Kong), or pumpkin pie. Amazingly the dish that did not go as well as I thought it might was the mashed potatoes. There were not many left-overs with that exception!
Disappointingly, it was not served on Tea Leaf and the temperature and exterior scenery were somewhat different from Willow Creek. As an aside, Ted Bernard, a former colleague of mine from my University
College days is here to teach this term and he is staying with me, so he at with us last night as well. Those TLOLers who attended the retirement bash held for me 2 1/2 years ago will remember Ted as the person who owns the farm where the party was held.
I am looking forward to receiving my edition of Tea Leaf Readings this week as well as to all the comments on the Chadwick auction on TLOL tomorrow. I also am hoping to receive my copy of Nancy's Christmas catalog
this week.
BIG HUGS...Dick
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From Juliehoo come lots of comments...
Hey, Dickie, don't push it! You're covered for the Hughes pieces and I already have a Sebring covered veg, just like yours. Got it at an estate sale in Frederick with several other Tea Leafers there. They let me get all the American. I also have a Mayer pitcher and bowl plus the shaving mug but I'd be interested in the brush vase. And, in case anybody had their eye on it, the Adams Huron slop jar is already spoken for.
Regarding the Tillson Museum mentioned in the last TLOL...
Can give you a little more about this story. Reine Wells called me several weeks ago to tell me that she had a lady staying at her B&B who was a descendent of the Tillsons. She told Reine the story about Tea Leaf being in the boxes of oatmeal and Reine sent me the name, address of the Tillson Museum - actually the Tillson mansion that the Historical Society is running as a museum. I wrote to her that day but have had no communication from anyone connected to the museum. I'm not sure that they have any on display.
Concerning the two animations in the 11/19 TLOL...
Loved your turkeys - the one at the beginning and the two at the end!
And, about the Chadwick auction...
I was really impressed by the number and variety of pieces. My child's EEP [East End Pottery] teapot seemed rather high but I did have some competition who didn't realize how tenacious I am - sometimes (and I can hear about a dozen of you saying "SOMETIMES"!!!). I also bought the Pepper Leaf creamer & sugar. These are both really nice pieces, beautiful lustre and in very good condition. I bought them to go with that Pepper Leaf teapot I bought years ago. On my long drive home to DE, I started thinking and it occurred to me that I sold that teapot because I didn't much Pepper Leaf. So I'm in the market for a Pepper Leaf teapot if whomever bought it from me originally is willing to part.
There were some very good prices but there were some actual bargains (none of which seemed to be coming my way). I do think that $1000 is a bit steep for a Grindley mug. I also bought a Powell & Bishop cake plate because Dale had been interested in it and he was off doing something when it came up. I told him what I'd done and he was gentlemanly enough to say Okay - he'd take it. The next morning I had changed my mind and told him that I really wanted to keep it. Just one problem, I'd packed it in his box. He's holding it for me. It is an unusual gold lustre piece that I had never seen before and when I get it back, I'll take a photo. It joins some other Powell & Bishop cake plates that I bought at an auction in York, PA, the weekend before Chadwick's. They had advertised Tea Leaf and when I got there, it was really beautiful condition Tea Leaf - all Powell and Bishop gold lustre. But I bought two covered veggies, two cake plates (different from the other one) and a butter dish. Anyone interested in Powell & Bishop?
It is rare that I attend an auction (other than the Club's) where there is so much Tea Leaf. Harris' prices seemed very low to me.
Juliehoo
[Julie, You specifically mentioned the Grindley mug and I wanted to make a comment about that particular piece. Although we regularly see Meakin Fishhook and Scroll mugs, I don't believe that we have ever found a Meakin Bamboo mug. There must have been one to go with the Bamboo bath set but it's eluded us all these years. The Grindley mug was Bamboo and, thus, quite unusual. DA]
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Gerald and Maxine both worked hard at the sale and sent...
We purchased a Niagara Shape small teapot with copper lustre only. We were very pleased with the quality & the fact that we already have a larger sized one in our collection. They look great side by side. Dale are there three sizes to this teapot as in Ceres or only two?
The variety was very good, something for everyone. Out of 450 lots, they were all too high but one. (Gerald's humor)
We believe the burden of inspecting the merchandise is on the buyer & not on the auctioneer.
We hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving.
G & M
[G&M, To my knowledge, these pots came in two sizes, with Creamers and sugar bowls in two sizes, too. DA]
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Margaret Payne contributes...
Hope all of you had a great Turkey Day and did not get trampled in the biggest shopping day of the year. I spent most of that day dismantling my booth at River Bend in Bowling Green, Ky. It is becoming harder and harder to keep it stocked and clean and my son who lives there did not get as interested as I had hoped, so it was time to close up shop. This small mall has been in this location for more than 25 years so there is a steady customer base and it was sad to leave.
The Chadwick auction was memorable in many ways and some of us who were working in various capacities will probably view it differently from those who were buyers. Of course, many workers were buyers, also, but it is hard to concentrate and be ready to jump in at will when you are moving around a lot. Mostly you just have to decide what you are interested in and make a list so you don't miss anything.
It was the privilege of about a dozen TLers to help out in the ring and everyone did a super job. I hesitate to list the names, for fear of missing someone, so will just say thanks to all of you. The damage was called very closely and items could be sent back. To give you an idea of what eagle eyes Dale and Anne and Jim Miller had, I think only 3 pieces were sent back--out of 650 pieces, that is remarkable. This did slow down the auction a bit, but all 456 lost were sold by 3:45.
Terrell and Phyllis did there usual wonderful job both at the auction and in sequencing the items. They were repacked after numbering in such a way that in about 3 hours, all tables were set up, covered with paper and items arranged for final proofing , and chairs set up--by 4 people. 2 others folded wrapping and helped with clean up and chairs. All this was done even with taking time out to play with Nellie, the Medds' little granddaughter who came to help out by entertaining us.
When you have damaged noted and the chance to return items if not as represented, it does create confidence in the buyer and make for better prices overall. On the other hand, some prices are depressed unnecessarily by slight damage. It is definitely a two-edged sword and the best thing any prospective buyer can do (at ANY auction) is to inspect the items very closely and decide just how much any damage affects him individually. Tom had bought many pieces for research and because of the fact that they were unusual--there were few pieces that we could call "common" (in the best sense of the word)--so it was logical that there was some damage. This did not seem to have a great effect and there was a swap-out, with some things going at lower prices than expected and others going well above expectations. I guess the 3 Teaberry butter pats and around $100 each amazed me most and it seemed that some of the sauce tureens with ladles sold at only about the value of the ladle. Most of the items I bid on far exceeded the limit of my pockets so only a couple of Walley platters, 2 bowls, and a stack of saucers (OF COURSE) came home with me--plus a Wedgwood sq. ridged side dish that Fonis wanted and for which I paid $50!!
It was fun to see such a wide variety of Tea Leaf spread out and know that any piece could go home with you if you were willing to pay the price, but the best part was the camaraderie of the day and the obvious pleasure that so many TLCI members felt in being together.
While we were saddened by the circumstances and know that it was a most difficult day for Carol (as well as Tom's son, Wayne, present with his wife, Maryhelen and the newest Chadwick grandson, who was sooo good all day as we handed him around), we were heartened by the overall results and also by the opportunity to see so many of those treasured pieces enter homes where they would likewise be treasured.
Margaret
[M, I agree that this was a remarkable assortment of TL and am glad that Carol did keep some of the most beloved pieces for her own enjoyment. Tom's collecting goals were similar to mine in that he was willing to own a less-than-perfect piece in order to have an example of it in his collection. My collection is filled with damaged items, but for the most part they are very rare or unusual and I'd rather have a damaged example than no example at all. As you know, I display my TL arranged by body style and decorative motif, sort of like a "reference library" of ceramic pieces. In my own research this has become the most practical way for me to display my collection and still be able to get to a specific piece for examination or photographing. It was great to see Carol, Wayne, Maryhelen and the baby who I know likes me the best! DA]
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Mike and Marie never seen to land at home in Oklahoma...
Marie and I had a wonderful time in Connersville seeing old friends and meeting new ones. It was like a mini-convention. We enjoyed the auction and came home with a few goodies - no regrets. Hope everyone arrived home safely.
We spent Thanksgiving in Williamsburg and had a wonderful time. We had never been there but enjoyed touring and shopping. So much history right there - but not even a glimpse of tea leaf!
That was a lovely pitcher and bowl by Meakin that Dick bought last week. Hope he really gets to enjoy it some day.
Now it's on to the holiday chores and preparations.
M&M
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From Eleanor Washburn comes...
Hi Dale..You made a snowy day in Northern Michigan even brighter. How Good to hear from Tea Leafers, far and near. Nancy has another treasure, items like that lovely comport in Primrose Scroll on Ring o'Hearts are not to found in this area. It's a rare beauty. Also enjoyed the music, Dale..so thoughtful of you and I hope your Thanksgiving is blessed from dawn to dusk, too..and even more, the good humor at the ending mirrors all of our feelings.....When will it all end?????
Stay well and enjoy that turkey...Eleanor
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From Carol Chadwick...
Hello to all. I don't write often but thought I would take this opportunity to tell all the TLOLers who attended the auction in Connersville on November 11th THANK YOU! It was wonderful seeing so many friends again, many who weren't at the Akron convention and I hadn't seen for several years! It was very difficult for me to part with the majority of our collection but helped to know it was going to the homes of good friends for the most part.
The large group of Tea Leafers assisting Terrell and Phyllis in the auction were terrific. I really don't believe this auction would have ever taken place without the help of Margaret Payne! You are a wonderful friend and I hope you have some inkling of just how much you are appreciated! Terrell and Phyllis were just terrific. I hadn't really considered the amount of work the auctioneer must go through to prepare for an auction and Terrell and Phyllis worked doubly hard to ensure a good turn-out and properly displayed and documented goods! They really went
beyond anything I could ever have expected!!!
Dale, I took lots of pictures before and during the auction and will send you a set. There are just too many to scan and send soft copy. You can use your judgment regarding posting which pictures (I am the world's worst photographer!). I also can provide the prices of every lot but need to load it onto the original auction list. I have been writing the sale price on the "tickets" from Terrell with the intent to determine loss/gain on each piece; a task I fear will never be completed! I know I took some pretty good hits on a number of pieces, but realized considerable gains on others. I don't feel it is my place to comment about the prices beyond that but I am pleased overall.
I will send the pictures snail-mail and update the list with sale prices as soon as possible. The Thanksgiving Turkey and playing of "We Gather Together" was just a hoot!!!
Again, a great big thank you to all helpers, friends, and purchasers!
Carol
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And, finally, from Walt and Pat...
Hope everyone's Thanksgiving was a happy one. We used Tea Leaf extensively for our feast, serving from TL bowls, eating off 10” plates & finishing with coffee in Tea Leaf cups & saucers.
Some thoughts about identifying damage. It would seem that if auction items were available for examination for several hours before an auction then the responsibility to find flaws rests with the buyer. The seller
should not be obligated to depreciate their merchandise. Of course, they should not conceal damage including not pointing out repairs. Notations such as “repaired” and “as is” should alert the potential bidder to examine the item closely before bidding. eBay is a different matter. The buyer doesn't have an opportunity for examination. An ethical seller should be scrupulous about revealing any and all faults. Having said all that we do appreciate the practice of detailing damage. We know that we can miss damage. It is so disappointing to come home with a perfect piece only later to find a hairline. Equally important is knowing that those bidding against you are aware of the damage. Its frustrating to bid against someone who is overbidding under the false impression that the item is without defect. But then, isn't it always frustrating to be outbid by someone who you know doesn't know true value.
Sending auctioned items back seems to be an undeserved privilege at the Tea Leaf auctions we have attended. There is an irony in sending things back on eBay. One is definitely entitled to return goods since one did not have the opportunity to examine them. However, the trouble and cost of returning an item often makes that option worthless, particularly when you have already paid for shipping before receiving the item. The
moral is, save your serious Tea Leaf buying for the Tea Leaf Convention, Tea Leaf Regionals or special Tea Leaf auctions where you can examine the articles. Use eBay for occasional buying or special items.
The Stevens
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That's it for letters this week.
I have a new Discussion Topic from Gerald and Maxine which I'll post next week.
I spent a snowy Thanksgiving day in Cleveland and came back in time to go to the Scott Antique Mart in Columbus on Friday. There were some TL items on the floor but I seem to have had the misfortune to ALWAYS be in back of the same gentleman who got to every booth a step ahead of me. Even though I tried to head in an opposite direction from him I couldn't avoid seeing him get to the TL pieces right before me. He picked up a Fishhook Creamer for $60 and a Bamboo creamer for $40. I wouldn't have needed either of these pieces for my own collection but would have gladly purchased both for resale. The only piece I did get was the lid to an Elsmore & Forster Reverse Teaberry sugar bowl. Since I had a good bowl with a repaired lid, I was happy to upgrade my piece for the price of the $25 lid.
Got a call on Wednesday from Don Johnson who writes the Computers & Antiques column for Antique Week. He was calling to ask if they could use a photo from my Tea Leaf website for a column he's writing this week or next. I think I convinced him to do TWO columns featuring Tea Leaf. In the first one he is looking at websites for individual businesses on the web which is where my site comes in. The second column will highlight the way the web can transform the way antique collector clubs conduct business and communicate with members and he was most impressed when I walked him through the Club's site. His call prompted me to spend a day updating my own website (http://ourworld.cs.com/TeaLeafIronstone) in the hopes that the publicity might drive some holiday business to it. Loaded lots of items for sale and updated the Club's info, too.
Also, I recently visited the antique malls in Springfield (OH) where Gale, Terrell and others have booths and saw some really nice Tea Leaf. Gale even has a neat Tea Leaf spittoon in one of his booths. And don't forget Nancy's holiday maillist if you're shopping for TL for that special someone.
Carol sent us the price list from the auction which I'll feature next week, along with lots of photos I have from the sale.
Want to send a TLOL contribution? Write to TLOL@aol.com or just click below!
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TLOL Publication Schedule
December 3
December 10
December 17
January 7
(no TLOL Christmas or New Years weekends)
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By the way, did you see this eBay listing? Talk about a seller who doesn't have a clue!!! Title of item: POWELL & BISHOP-FAYENCE-17th OR EARLY 18th CE Item=508227592. Tea Leaf from Switzerland made in the 17th Century!!!??? What a hoot!
Dale
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TEA LEAF ONLINE
November 19, 2000
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I had expected LOTS of letters this week regarding the Chadwick auction and was surprised to find that few were sent. I'll hold them for next week and give everyone a chance to share their thoughts about the sale.
Look for the email "splash" throughout this issue.
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Whenever you see it, you can click
it to send a contribution to
Tea Leaf OnLine.
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TEA LEAF ONLINE MEMBER UPDATES
A new email address for Suzi & Allen Hansen
DISCUSSION TOPIC
DISCUSSION TOPIC #1 - The Chadwick Auction
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Not many emails yet about the Chadwick sale last weekend. Were you there? What did you purchase? What did you think of the variety and quality of the items? How about prices, any too high? too low? Your favorite piece? Can anyone provide photos and prices?
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Have an opinion about this topic? Click below to send your TLOL contribution
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DISCUSSION TOPIC #2 - Damaged Items at Auctions
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Several large Tea Leaf auctions have been held recently...Convention, Chadwick, Harris. Some of the items auctioned were damaged but there was ample time prior to the action to examine the items. Unlike eBay, the buyers had an opportunity to examine merchandise before bidding. How much diligence is owed to the buyers by the auctioneers and sellers? On eBay? At an auction? Do you think it is the responsibility of the auctioneer to point out all defects or should it be the responsibility of the buyer? Should a buyer be able to send back anything after it has been auctioned?
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Have an opinion about this topic? Click below to send your TLOL contribution
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TEA LEAF PUZZLER
What's wrong with this picture? These photos and seller description are from a recent eBay listing. What questions does this item prompt? What do you suppose the seller was actually selling?
Answer will be published next week.
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A. J. WILKINSON ROYAL IRONSTONE. THIS PITCHER IS IN THE TEA LEAF PATTERN. IT MEASURES 7 1/2" X 7 1/2" INCLUDING HANDLE. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL PITCHER AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE BOTTOM EDGE, FRONT LEFT WHICH IS DAMAGED AND IS SHOWN IN THE PICTURE. IT WOULD BE A NICE ADDITION TO ANY COLLECTION.
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GIFTIQUE NEWS
Your new Tea Leaf Readings should arrive this week and you'll discover included with it the new Giftique Catalog for the holiday season and for 2001. Check it out!
Wearables
Notebooks
Banners
Cards
Napkins
Convention Programs
& much more
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WWW.TEALEAFCLUB.COM - OUR CLUB'S WEBSITE
A couple of major enhancements to the Club's website were introduced two weeks ago. First, the Annise Heaivilin Research Library is now online. Check out the library catalog and borrowing information. All Tea Leaf Club members are invited to check out reference materials.
We also introduced PDF files. Don't know what that is? Check out the Club's members-only section and visit the Educational Articles link. Before we go to significant effort to scan and publish past educational supplements, we want to be certain you want and can access them in this format. Please visit and let us know what you think. Nancy is the only visitor who has commented on the PDF files so far, and wrote...
I just accessed the club website and the Educational section. The Tulip pictures came through in beautiful living color; Carl's mug article in living black and white. No problems accessing these, I have Acrobat Reader. It's great work and I compliment all who had a part in it. Sure great to have such intelligent people in this club! I'd like to suggest that you show the very first supplement - the one you and Gale did on Chinese Shape. It's an excellent article and since many of the TLOLers were not members at that time, they should find it very interesting. Nancy
SEEN ON 
MORNING GLORY COVERED VEG
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Seller's Description
Elsmore & Forster ca 1850's decorated ironstone Portland Shape marvelous copper lustre covered vegetable dish in Morning Glory with its distinctive trumpet flower botanical finial.8"h.,12"handle to handle.no mark.Condition: no crack,normal grazing only showing on the inside and on the bottom of the dish. Notice chips on one handle and a minimal abrasion on the other.Lid absolutely perfect.
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MORNING GLORY PITCHER
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Seller's Description
This is a beautiful piece of English lustre ware. The base is signed Elsmore & Foster, #21; it is the Portland shape. The pitcher is 8 3/4" tall, 7" from spout to handle. There are no chips or damage to the outside of the piece. looking at the inside base from the top, there is some spidering around the outer circle of the base, and a coffee colored stain - it did not come out with mild soap and water, but is not visible on the outside anywhere. This really is a gorgeous pitcher, may have been part of wash set. The copper design is just spectacular.
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TEABERRY ELEGANCE COVERED VEG
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Seller's Description
FANTASTIC LARGE COVERED TWO HANDLED TUREEN. EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS IS ABSOLUTELY THE GREATEST. SUPERB MARKINGS "ROYAL IRONSTONE CHINA" CLEMENTSON BROS. ENGLAND. MADE IN THE 1800'S. THE TUREEN MEASURES OVER 7 INCHES HIGH-13.5 INCHES LONG AND OVER 8 INCHES WIDE. THE LID IS EXCELLENT AS WELL AS THE BASE. NO CHIPS NO CRACKS. THERE MAYBE SOME FAINT CRAZING BUT THAT IS ALL. THE COPPER LUSTRE TEA LEAF DESIGN IS EVEN PERFECT.
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WALLEY CAMEO GOTHIC COVERED TUREEN
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Seller's Description
This is the Edward Walley gothic shape dating to 1845 - 55. It is a covered vegetable tureen, very large.
The handles are remarkable: Under each is a cameo. Both pieces are in excellent condition with no repairs, chips, or cracks.
I have included many pictures for your inspection. The lid is fine with an intact and lovely finial. The copper banding is generous and in excellent condition.
With lid in place, this early vegetable server measures eleven inches in diameter including the handles and ten inches in height.
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WALLEY POMEGRANATE COFFEEPOT
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Seller's Description
Ironstone Tea Leaf Lidded Coffee Pot
Marked "EDWARD WALLY IRONSTONE CHINA"..... Circa 1880
This beautiful 10 inch coffee pot has only slight damage. wo small chips on top rim, one small chip on spout and a hairline on one side of spout (see picture). None are obvious. The copper luster is not worn and the form is great.....
from an estate in Boulder, Colorado.
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LETTERS
Judy Diederich comments on Lona's dream...
LONA, HOPE YOU KEEP HAVING THESE DREAMS. THEY'RE GREAT READING. WE CAN DREAM CAN'T WE??? The Diederich's
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From Hong Kong...
Greetings from cooler and less humid Hong Kong--I am a much happier Bobcat than I had been since the end of April!
I just finished another WONDERFUL Monday lunch hour reading TLOL. It is really like Tuesday or Wednesday when I receive my Federal Express package from my office in Athens with the week's collection of snail mail including the Free Press Standard, my hometown weekly newspaper. It is just like more letters from home!...a real morale booster.
I need to respond to John's harrowing flight experience. I have never really relished the idea of flying and believe me, if I could take a train to China, I would! I shall never again complain about a late take-off due to maintenance or a missed connection again, however. Not only was John's guardian angel on his shoulder long enough to get him safely on the ground in Pittsburgh, that angel is apparently even more benevolent than most, guiding him to just the right shop(s).
I want to add my best wishes for Fonis also. I do hope that he continues to improve. Fatigue is no fun, tends to slow one down significantly, but tell him if he works it right he can get a lot of extra attention for quite some time--even bon bons!
And Julie...gollie gee whiz...what can I do to get you to write that codicil to your will? Would it help if when I write the codicil to mine when I get back to the States that I put your name on the Sebring covered vegetable? maybe even the Mayer ewer as well? Trouble is, you will likely outlive me by MANY years. How about an outright gift???
I am thrilled also that Dale now has a reticulated Tea Leaf compote. Thrilled, not to mention green with envy. Maybe he and I should talk about codicils to our wills also???
I would LOVE to be with all those of you who will be in Connersville on Saturday. I have yet to make some decisions about some pieces and will send my absentee bids to Dale before Friday. Thanks, Dale for including the photo of the BAHL bowl. It gives some idea of the appearance, but does not do justice to the really not very attractive chartreuse color of the band of leaves around the middle. When (if) I ever get back to a place where all this can be displayed, I know that it will receive many comments!
I so enjoyed Lona Trott's dream story. I do hope that she is able to get to French Lick...I think that she must be one of life's treats to meet in person. Speaking of French Lick, the photo of the lobby suggests serious opulence. I am looking forward.
BIG HUGS to all...Dick
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Annalea adds to Anne's identification question in the last TLOL...
I am adding to Anne's question by adding Meakin brocade to the list. I have a brocade ewer, but no bowl. Would the bowl be plain or did it have embossing?
Annalea
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Woody sends these prices from the Gene Harris auction earlier this month...
Greetings from the home of compulsive behavior.
I've had the notes from the Harris auction in Marshalltown IA lying beside my computer for a week now waiting for me to write this (shame on me), but as usual, many more things to do than time to do them in...Anyway I'm
determined to finish this tonight so we can leave for Connersville in the AM.
The ads for the auction promised 100 lots of Tea Leaf, and there probably were as well as tables and tables of other smalls. As the Warners already reported, there were only three pairs of Tea Leaf Member bidders, but there were other bidders, mostly dealers buying for stock from the way they were buying. Like most auctions anymore, the good things did OK and the average and poor did just that. A sampling follows;
Meakin gravy boat, bamboo - 25.00
Meakin gravy boat, scroll - 35.00
Bamboo 3 pc. butter - 90.00
4 cup plates, Meakin - 100.00
Lot of 5 lily of the valley cups and 6 saucers - 325.00
Shaw cable sauce tureen, lid and ladle (some damage) 320.00
Shaw Chinese mug - 160.00
Mellor Taylor childs set for 6, in fair cond. (some chips and stains) 500.00
Shaw compote, 210.00
Furnival little cable cov. veg. 140.00
There were lots of plates, platters and bowls mostly in the 5 - 25 dollar range. All in all it was a good day for buyers, but the consigner, carrying his appraisal list wasn't as satisfied (the child's set was "appraised" for
1200.00 on his list and other things sold for well under his valuations. What do you say to someone in this position? By the time you read this, the "mini convention" in Indiana will be over and I'm sure we'll all have much to discuss.
Woody
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An older email from Walt and Pat that I seem to have missed including in TLOL...
We won't be able to read this TLOL as usual on Sunday evening. We will be in Boston visiting our granddaughter at Wellesley College and attending an Elderhostel. Of course the real reason for traveling East
is to locate the shops that John M. & the Hansens find such wonderful bargains. If we find anything we will let you know.
In regard to the current topic we do have some pieces by the “Lesser Stars”, also some by American potters. We have purchased and sold several pieces of Mayer. Some may remember the Mayer gravy that was
mispriced at $7.50 at the Convention table sales several years ago. Almost everyone passed on the item because it was too cheap. We still have some Mayer, East Liverpool Co-op, and Trenton Potters. Of the
Lessor Stars our best pieces are by Wileman. These pieces have a Morning Glory motif. We also have 2 pieces by J & G Meakin. We count these among our rare pieces. Don't have any idea why this potter didn't
make more Tea Leaf since you see a lot of white ironstone made by them. Any ideas?
Walt
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Nancy Upchurch reports a very neat find...
Greetings Friends: I'd like to share my latest acquisition with you (and perhaps gloat a little!). It's an L&P Primrose Scroll comport. Technically, it's not Tea Leaf, but it has lots of beautiful copper lustre. I'm convinced it's not supposed to have a lid - there is no ledge for one and with that wide band of decoration inside, it doesn't sound logical to cover it up.
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Nice seeing so many friends at Carol's auction last weekend. If the person who bought the Daisy sauce tureen with Bullet lid is a TLOLer and would like to sell all of it or just the lid, I'm in the market. I've been kicking myself for not bidding higher! I'm usually too conservative at auctions and regret it later.
I'm still working on the Maillist. It should be ready to be mailed sometime in the next few days. If you requested one, it will be arriving soon.
Nancy
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And, finally, Suzi & Allen sent...
Hello to our Tea Leaf Friends,
First, we need to report that we have a new preferred e-mail address: SuzideeH@xxx.xxx. We are finally on-line at home and will likely be able to respond more quickly and participate more regularly. In trying to access the Club website this evening, we really had a difficult time finding it. I have it bookmarked at work so never have a problem but it didn't show up on any web search here. Is that a quirk of AOL?
It has been a long time since we have written so we will first comment on the convention. We enjoyed Akron immensely, had a great time seeing all our old friends and meeting new ones, and were again awed by the items both at auction and at table sales. We were pleased that the first timers enthusiastically participated in our game of passing "Tommy", the little T. Elsmore butter pat around. And we continue to be amazed by the professionalism and depth of the educational presentations. We learned much from them and came away with renewed enthusiasm for researching our own pieces. Those seminars are incredible.
We would add Thomas Elsmore to the list of lesser known potters. Their Clayhills Pottery was in production from 1872 to 1887 and, in Grandma's Tea Leaf Ironstone (GTLI), received only a paragraph of coverage added to the end of the Elsmore and Forster chapter. We have seen only two body styles, the one identified as Ginger Jar Round by the new Handbook update and the style in photo EF-9 in GTLI. While some of the T. Elsmore pieces are white, the few that we have are all a light, creamy color. Thomas Elsmore pieces are also easily identified by the uniquely shaped Tea Leaf. There is another example of the Ginger Jar Round on p. 50 of GTLI, photo BU-7, but it is on a Burgess undertray.
We were pleased to have had Walt and Pat Stevens visit us a couple weeks ago when they were in Boston on an Elderhostel. There are few TL collectors in this region so we really appreciated having an opportunity to share our collection with them.
It is a great idea to include the educational supplements on the web page. We enjoyed reading Carl's mug article again. Subsequent to the article, we did find what we would consider a farmer's cup --- a 17 ounce handled cup with a very large, gold, Fell and Thropp Co. (American) tea leaf. We'll try to forward a photo for the next Readings.
Finally, Tea Leaf finds remain rare in this area. But, while many of you were at the Chadwick auction, I (Allen) stopped at a local shop and found a very reasonably priced Morning Glory, Portland Shape mug. It is a beautiful white with bright lustre and made up for the depression I was feeling at not being with you all. Suzi had a meeting and missed the fun. Hope your day was equally satisfying.
Suzi and Allen
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That's it for letters this week.
eBay presented us with yet another new body style this week...or at least it's new to me. It's a fantastic heavily-embossed Meakin pitcher and bowl set. At first I thought this was a Crewel piece, but upon close inspection of the photos, I don't believe it's one I've ever seen before. It's also similar to, but not exactly like, Challinor's Victorian Beauty. Have you ever seen another Meakin piece like it? Please let us know.
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I ran across this plate at an antique mall in Springfield Ohio and looked at it for a long time trying to figure out the body style. The plate was priced at a whopping $40 so I definitely hesitated to buy it thinking that as soon as I got it home I'd think of the body style and regret having spent so much for a plate. But, I opted to get it anyway and Bev & Ernie identified it for me last weekend. So...here's yet another body style for the 2005 Handbook update...
Fluted Pearl
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Marked Anthony Shaw
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We've been trying to identify museums in the U.S. which display Tea Leaf, but I received an email this month from a Canadian historic home...
Hi: I volunteer with the Annandale House National Historic Site in Tillsonburg On. Can. It was built in 1883 by E.D Tillson who produced Tillson Pan Dried Oats. Which was eventually purchased by Quaker Oats. It has been said that the Tillsons put Ironstone Tea Leaf China in the packages of oats as an incentive to get people to purchase. We are guestimating that would have been approx 1905, although the oats were sold in the late 1800's and through Quakers until about 1947. Would anyone in your club have any information on this or have any idea where we can go to find out more. We have never found 'written' proof of this, only stories handed down within the Tillson family. Thank you for your assistance. Laurel
My response to Laurel follows...
How interesting to learn about Tea Leaf in Canada. I doubt that the story about Tea Leaf packed in Quaker Oats in 1905 is correct as most TL was shipped to North America in barrels from England in the 1870s and 1880s. By 1900, not much Tea Leaf was still being produced and that primarily was by American potters from Ohio. I'll ask around to see if any other Tea Leaf enthusiast might have heard this story and let you know if I can verify it. Do you have a photo of your Tea Leaf which I can share with other collectors?
Want to send a TLOL contribution? Write to TLOL@aol.com or just click below!
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TLOL Publication Schedule
November 26
December 3
December 10
December 17
November 26
January 7
(no TLOL Christmas or New Years weekends)
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Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Dale
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TEA LEAF ONLINE
November 5, 2000
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Great news...Back Issues of TLOL are once again available. You can access issues going back to August 2000. You may also have noticed a couple changes to the Club's Members-Only website, with more improvements on the way -- including past Educational Supplements and lots of information about the Annise Heaivilin Lending Library.
Look for the email "splash" throughout this issue.
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Whenever you see it, you can click
it to send a contribution to
Tea Leaf OnLine.
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I have had several of you ask about which email addresses to use to contact TLOL and to contact me personally. Please change your address books as follows:
Tea Leaf OnLine contributions should be sent to TLOL@aol.com
Personal emails to Dale Abrams should be sent to TLAntiques@aol.com
TEA LEAF ONLINE MEMBER UPDATES
I'm excited that my friend Lora Kenworthy joins us online this week. Lora and Herb are from Cambridge Ohio and we met a couple years ago. They weren't able to make it to Akron in September but I know you'll all get to meet them sometime.
Welcome, too, to Kathy Bokelman Zeeb
Anne and Dallas Skinner report a new email address
DISCUSSION TOPIC
From Walt and Pat comes this topic...
DISCUSSION TOPIC #1
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Our memories of the last Convention always include a positive reaction to Saturday's presentations. Jim Gaines spoke of “Some of the Lesser Stars” and Julie Rich told us about American Tea Leaf. Jim had slides of pieces potted by Wileman, Corn, Challinor, and J & G Meakin. Julie shared her knowledge of Ohio & New Jersey Tea Leaf potters. Who would you include in the “Lesser Stars” category? Do you own any pieces made by the “Lesser Stars” ? Any American? Do you specialize in either group? How plentiful are these pieces? If scarce, why? How valuable are they? After hearing the presentations are you ready to start collecting them?
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Have an opinion about this topic? Click below to send your TLOL contribution
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TEA LEAF PUZZLER #1
Anne Miller sent this photo and question.
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Can you identify the body style of this ladle?
SEE ANSWER BELOW
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NEW TEA LEAF PUZZLER
What's wrong with this picture? These photos and seller description are from a recent eBay listing. What questions does this item prompt? What do you suppose the seller was actually selling?
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A. J. WILKINSON ROYAL IRONSTONE. THIS PITCHER IS IN THE TEA LEAF PATTERN. IT MEASURES 7 1/2" X 7 1/2" INCLUDING HANDLE. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL PITCHER AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE BOTTOM EDGE, FRONT LEFT WHICH IS DAMAGED AND IS SHOWN IN THE PICTURE. IT WOULD BE A NICE ADDITION TO ANY COLLECTION.
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GIFTIQUE NEWS
Marie Compton writes...
Would you please let the online team know that all Giftique earrings and Christmas ornaments have been sold out. As of yet, no restocking of those items is intended.
I'd like to add another item to the Giftique featured items. The mouse
pad sells for $5.00. It would make an excellent gift idea for early holiday shoppers!
Marie
Tea Leaf Mouse Pad >
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[Marie, Believe it or not, I need to order 4 additional TLOL notebooks (I already have two). I think I've managed to find and print out nearly every TLOL since the first one and it's a tremendous number of pages. DA]
SEEN ON 
EDWARD WALLEY LUSTRE DECORATED NIAGARA SHAPE
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Seller's Description
The English registry mark on this handleless ironstone cup and saucer indicate it was made May 11, 1856 by Edward Walley in Cobridge, England. Richly hand decorated with copper luster on the Niagara shape (see Jean Wetherbee's "A Second Look at White Ironstone," pg. 74), the cup is 3 1/4" high and 3 1/2" across. As was customary with such early cups, it was made without a handle. The saucer is 1 1/3" deep (the better to sip your tea from it!) and 6" across. Both cup and saucer are in beautiful condition with no chips or cracks. There are a few tiny pinpoint marks under the glaze, which occurred at firing. One photo shows where the decorator's hand slipped on the cup rim (that is NOT a chip). There is very light wear on the base of cup. This set appears to have been displayed and seldom used. Walley's impressed mark, registry mark and decorator's mark are on the saucer base. I also am offering a matching plate separately on eBay. Ironstone with copper luster decoration such as this was made only for a brief period in the mid-19th century. This is truly a rare find in lovely condition. I accept cashier's checks, money orders and credit cards through Billpoint. Personal checks are fine with shipping after check clears (usually 7-10 days). Shipping cost is $6.00 with insurance extra if you wish it (and I recommend it).
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EDWARD WALLEY LUSTRE DECORATED NIAGARA SHAPE
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Seller's Description
There's a lot of white ironstone out there but rarely do you find copper luster decorated ironstone by Edward Walley (Cobridge, England, 1845-56). This 7 1/2" plate is beautifully hand decorated with copper luster on the Niagara shape (see the shape in Jean Wetherbee's book "A Second Look at White Ironstone," pg. 74). The luster and the plate are in wonderful shelf-kept condition. There are no chips, cracks or stains, just a few pinhead marks under the glaze dating to when it was fired. There are four minute rough spots on the bottom base (see photo) which are not chips but appear to be original glaze flaws. Walley's round, impressed mark is on the plate bottom along with an English registry mark (indicating May 11, 1856 manufacture) and a copper decorator's mark. I also am offering separately on eBay a matching handleless cup and deep saucer, so if you would like a place setting suitable for breakfast, lunch or high tea, here's your chance. Low reserve for an historic piece. I will be offering more Walley copper luster on eBay this fall. I accept cashier's check, money order or credit cards through Billpoint. Personal checks are okay with shipment after they clear (usually 7-10 days). $4.00 shipping cost paid by buyer with insurance extra (I recommend it).
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DAVENPORT FIG COUSIN SOUP TUREEN BASE
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Seller's Description
This terrine is about 7 1/2 inches high and 11 1/2 inches long. There is some tan discoloration to the outside and handles. There are a few areas inside the glass bottom that look like cracks as they show discoloration but are not through to the outside and you can not feel them with your finger. There are no chips. This piece is very old. On the bottom it says IRONSTONE, DAVENPORT with a lion and unicorn emblem above the words. I'm sorry but if there was a lid I do not have it.
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DAVENPORT FIG COUSIN POTTY BASE
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Seller's Description
Beautiful chamber pot with leafs outlined with copper lustre. Has 2 great marks on the bottom, one the black "iron stone Davenport" stamp, the other impressed, oval in shape, with the date marks in the middle, "Davenport Ironstone China" around the periphery. A third mark, impressed, is "175". Has only the normal wear on the bottom and top rims with no chips or cracks.If you want a picture of the marks, please ask, though the impressed marks are too fine to photograph. Altogether, a fine design with great markings!
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SHAW NIAGARA FAN PLATTER
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Seller's Description
ANTIQUE TEA LEAF IRONSTONE PLATTER ~ 1856
Possessing an English Registry mark that dates it to 1856, this lovely ironstone platter is adorned with the copper lustre Tea Leaf pattern. In addition, an embossed design decorates the platter's border. Measuring 14.5" x 11.25", the platter was produced by Anthony Shaw, Burslem, England, and bears their lion/unicorn backstamp as well as the impressed registry mark referred to above. The platter is in very good condition, with a small hairline on the rim and some small spots of darkening. No chips are present, and the copper lustre is in good shape. A gorgeous platter to grace your table!
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LETTERS
Responding to the current Discussion Topic, Dick writes...
Walt, you forgot to include Thomas Hughes...Jim included this potter of excellent quality ware. The reason that I am sensitive about this is that included in the Handbook Update were two pieces of mine, and one of the newly-named body styles--Beaded Bow. He also included a piece of Challinor of mine, the also newly-named Corinthian pouring vessel included in the Handbook addition.
I guess that this answers the question about whether or not I am ready to purchase from the wares of the "lesser stars". In the past year, I have purchased at least two items from this category via eBay--a Corn platter (I don't really need any more platters!) and a Sebring covered vegetable dish.
The answer is, yes, I would like to hear more about both the lesser-known English and American potters. I also purchased a piece of VERY lesser star work at the convention--a Bahl bowl. The reason that I bought it even though it is really quite ugly, is that it was decorated, if not potted, in Carrollton, Ohio which is located perhaps 50 miles southeast of Akron and is my home town.
Dick
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Two Puzzler responses, the first from Wedgwood expert Chris Weinbrenner...
I believe this is a Wedgwood ladle or at least that's what the ladles in my soup tureen & sauce tureens look like.
Chris
and the second from Ladle Expert Bob Skinner who writes...
I believe it to be Wedgwood.
I wouldn't argue with either Chris or Bob - they know their Wedgwood. Thanks for answering Anne's question.
[P.S. Bob also writes that his Lily numbered barbershop mug is #9.]
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Carol Chadwick sends a complete auction inventory for us to drool over prior to the sale. She also sends the following listing and notes...
AUCTION LISTING
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[Auction Listings not available thru Back Issues]
...there is an asterisk next to each item to be sold "as is" but the damage could be extremely minute such as a small chip or extensive as in the spittoon. Since Terrell is not on e-mail, absentee bids can be sent through me, Margaret or Dale and given to Terrell at the auction. I will be leaving here Thursday early a.m. and arriving at Margaret's that evening. Margaret, Chris and I will head down to Connersville Friday a.m. to help with set up.
Carol
[Carol...yup...I'm drooling already. Thanks for sharing the list. DA]
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John Meneghini visited French Lick Springs and writes...
Let me start off by saying that I feel we had a super convention this year. The hard work that went into the event was much appreciated. I especially want to thank everyone for singing happy birthday to me at the luncheon-it
was very sweet.
My business trip to southern Indiana was a rather interesting experience. We traveled on a corporate Falcon jet (very nice). We stayed at the French Lick Resort Hotel and had dinner in a nearby bed and breakfast where Al Capone was married . The town is quaint and the surrounding countryside is beautiful. The hotel is very grand and the front porch wraps around the hotel. There are dozens of rocking chairs to sit in and enjoy the beautiful country air. I think it will be a nice place for all of us Tea Leafers to get together in September.
Although the business end of the trip went very well, the same cannot be said of the return flight. We took off on a gorgeous sunny day and as we were finishing lunch at 40,000 feet the flight attendant ran out of the cockpit and yelled that we were to immediately put on the oxygen masks which the pilot was about to deploy. As we did this, the plane suddenly lurched to the left and started to descend VERY RAPIDLY. The flight attendant told
us that there had been a short circuit in the pilot's display panel and there was smoke in the cockpit. The next announcement was that we were making an emergency landing in Pittsburgh. We heard the pilot calling "may
day". We reached the ground safely and were greeted by fire trucks and men in asbestos suits. All turned out well and we pretty much remained calm.
The other nine members of our group decided to fly back US Air. I said that I had no problem flying in the future, but not that day. My hosts rented me a car and I happily drove back to Boston. The sunny side of the story (if
you haven't already guessed) is that I managed a couple of quick stops along the way. I managed to find a Wedgwood relish dish as well as a J&E Mayer creamer and sugar in the Oak Leaf pattern all for $125-. There seems to be a reason for everything that happens in life. I guess those Tea Leaf pieces were really meant for me.
So Long,
John
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Margaret Payne checks in with...
Hearing the presentations by our talented TL members always inspires me to either (a) look more carefully for the potters which they showcase, (b) collect items by those potters,(c) catalog and research my own collection more extensively, or (d) all of the above.
Certainly, the programs get my attention, teach me a lot, and cause me to stand in awe of folks who are so capable in research and presentation. We are so fortunate in having such people and I fear that we appreciate them too little. I also know that there are many others capable of doing interesting and informative programs and hope we can continue to involve more and more people in this.
Thanks to so many of you who have asked about Fonis. He is doing very well, except for the extreme fatigue. The doctor was very pleased with his first post-radiation check-up and expects the numbers to continue to improve.
Many of us in the midwest and other areas are looking forward with anticipation to the Chadwick auction of outstanding Tea Leaf on Saturday, November 11, at the National Guard Armory in Connersville. It will start promptly at 10 am, but you will be able to preview all of the 476 lots (about 650 pieces) beginning at 7am.
An extensive list by lot number has been prepared, with asterisks designating those pieces which you will want to inspect more closely for some damage or repair. We will be working with our all-volunteer ring crew, with a couple of people keeping the lots in order and noting any damage as the piece is held up for bids. We hope you will look closely and make notes, but will also try to help out so that you may feel confident of the condition as you bid.
There are many pieces that I have never seen for sale before and there is truly something for every collector. Many of you know that Tom traveled extensively and bought many pieces for research and simply because they were "firsts' that not anyone had seen until he dug them out of the woodwork--or wherever he found them! It was quite a display in a hot garage in July in Minneapolis as we unpacked, listed, repacked, and loaded boxes with Tea Leaf. This was a collection assembled with love and care and it is my personal hope that the same will be true when it finds a new home.
A great number have already made plans to attend and several have reservations at the Woodridge Inn--Phone 765-825-4800, where a special rate for Tea Leaf Club members is offered. There are also many motels in Richmond, 24 miles away, which is a much larger town. Lunch will be served by a local church group and every effort has been made to make this sale comfortable and convenient for all of you. You still have plenty of time to decide to join us.
If I can answer any questions, please contact me. I do have an almost complete list--there are about 4 items that are not clearly identified on my list, but will be correct by Saturday. I know that Terrell and Carol will also be glad to answer your questions.
We will be looking forward to seeing you at the mini-convention/auction in Connersville!
Margaret
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Some Tea Leaf OnLine history compiled by Walt...
The first TLOLs (without a name) were informal exchanges of messages to and from Dale. They started right after the 96 Convention. The earliest message I have is 10/3/96. The initial participants were:
Dale Abrams; Mark & Janet Attix; Sheree Baker; Dick Brackin; Steve Cordray (OH); Bev & Ernie Dieringer; Carl Hansen & Ginger; Al /Suzi Hansen (MA); Patrick Huston (IN); Kathy Kennedy (NM); Dennis Kerr; John Meneghini; Ken Munroe (IL); Cindy Pramann (LA); Vicki Ross (Ohio); WB & Pat Stevens; Diane Wadsworth (WA); Conrad & Nancy White
Weekly messages began in February of 97. TLOL was named in March of 97. Selection of TLOL name was voted on... From March 2 message:
Tea Leaf On-Line 5 Votes
Wan Tu Talk Tea Leaf 3
Cyber Tea Leaf 2
Tea Leaf Net 2
TL On The Net 1
Participant count in the early years...at the end of 1996 (25) and 1997 (53).
[We've certainly grown, haven't we? DA]
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Juliehoo writes...
You make our lives so easy, Dale, with the little splashes so we can send some thoughts.
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I've been rather quiet recently (what an admission for me) so I have a few thoughts to send. I did so enjoy Jim Gaines presentation. Thomas Hughes is fairly rare in my collection but I do have a few choice pieces which Dickie may or may not receive some day. I haven't made out a new will for a long time. And yes, Walt and Pat, I do have a few pieces of American TL and am always looking for more.
And speaking of rare. Thank you, Dale, for a glimpse of that really, really rare footed compote. You should know that you and your purchase was quite the topic of conversation at the WICA Regional Roxann and I attended in October in Havre de Grace. I'm sure there have been other gatherings where it was mentioned - briefly - but probably not in certain parts of Missouri.
Somewhere in my collection there was once a Walley underplate like the one pictured. It also had a sauce tureen to go with it. I think Dickie bought the sauce tureen but I don't know what happened to the poor injured underplate.
That piece is truly lovely. I did get the President shape, lustre trimmed sauce tureen several months ago although I was second bidder. First bidders sniped me by about 22 seconds but decided it was too small. I got it for less than I had bid and am delighted because it's quite a nice addition to my collection. I will send photos later if you all would like to see it.
And thank you for the information about the Ceramics program at Winterthur. Roxann and I are members. If anyone would like to come stay with us and attend the sessions, you're invited. I'll have time to clean up some of the papers that seem to pile up in this house. Not newspapers, just papers. One sheet comes in the door and immediately becomes two. By the way - Winterthur is pronounced as "Wintertur" - no "th" sound.
And how nice to see another confirmation on John Farral as a potter and a fine one at that. I had argued for him for a long time and nobody would agree with me but Harriet Denton who is not a member of TLCI. She had shown me a John Farral plate eons ago. We are justified in our belief!!
I drove to York, PA this morning to bid on the 100 pieces of TL they had advertised at an auction. 100 pieces of GOLD Powell & Bishop. However, I stayed and did get several good buys on nice pieces if anyone is interested.
Went on to the York Antique Show which is a really wonderful "country" show with one TL pitcher and bowl that a dealer has had for a number of years. Much country furniture in varying stages of worn paint with astronomical prices and the prices on ceramics were also out of reach. But it was a lovely show to view if not buy.
I think, Dale, there may be a few members who make it to the Chadwick auction. I know one who's coming from Delaware. If John M. doesn't show up or Dickie B can't make it, I may be the one who comes farthest. Then, again, maybe not! Somebody's coming from Tulsa; she told me so.
With that, I'll close.
Juliehoo!
P.S. Does anybody have prices from the Harris auction? I forgot to mention that I also bought a 3 piece butter dish in Powell and Bishop.
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Eleanor Washburn has returned and sends the following email about her trip and about the Shaw reticulated compote...
I just arrived home from a wonderful trip to China..a trip I would recommend to all!!! Now, I'm catching up and my first thoughts were to TLOL. Congratulations on the beautiful compote..it is as beautiful a piece of Tea Leaf as I've seen...and how special it will feel to be amidst your many other lovely pieces. I look forward to seeing it and I do hope that won't be in the too distant future!!!! Aren't we blessed to be able to search for and find these treasures...now if only I could find a Walley Grape Octagon soup tureen..I just had to throw that in!!!! Stay well, Eleanor
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Another question from Anne Miller...
Can either one of you help me differentiate between Alfred Meakin Bamboo and Fishhook wash bowls? Is there a marker that I can use? Thanks
Anne
[Anne, Good question. Again, I don't know the answer for certain, although I suspect that this is a "generic" piece intended to go with either body style. Perhaps another TLOLer can shed some light on this question. DA]
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From a note from the Johnsons...
You remember the Edge Malkin covered veg. VMStea purchased recently? Well, we went to a sale last night & there was one piece of tea leaf there & it just happened to be the exact same piece. We were the only
bidder on it & got it for probably the same amount she paid for shipping. What are the chances of this happening in Missouri. We didn't go to the auction at Marshalltown, but Charlie called us that night & said there were only three bidding members there. I think they got some bargains. See you at the auction.
G&M
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Lona Trott put pen to paper and wrote this story...
You know how you'll have a dream and wake thinking "woe, so real, like the dream really happened? Well, this is what happened to me.
It was like the cabin was talking to me "Oh, I would be so happy if you would buy just one more piece of Tea Leaf, so I would get one more piece. This went on for months and months going into two years. I would buy a piece and put it in our pine cabinet. Soon there were many pieces of Tea Leaf & variants, Shaw & Son, Meakin, Wedgwood, Powell & Bishop, Malkin, Davenport, Adams, Alcock, Burgess and many others, plus hoping to find other companies to add to my collection that I did not have.
Our little cabin said one day with pride "It's a start, you have done well, but I want more Tea Leaf."
One night I was sleeping and I thought I heard a weird sound in our kitchen, so very carefully and quiet as I could be I snuck in to just where the door was. I could not believe my eyes, my Tea Leaf dishes had come alive. They were dancing, singing, hugging, and many had tears rolling down their faces, but yet they were happy. All the little butter pats were like children, rolling , playing and laughing. It was almost like a reunion, family friends
and neighbors reuniting. It was such an emotional time as I sat and watched all of this.
Then it hit me, they all came from England many many years ago. Once off the ships they were split up and taken all over the Americas, not knowing where each other had gone. The ones made in America was also split up and sent all over. Now after all of these years, we as collectors are saving the past. We're getting them together again. Even though they are still all over the country, we are bringing some of them together. Keeping in touch with other collectors has helped.
The Tea Leaf family, friends and neighbors were just talking up a storm and every once in a while I would hear:
"We know they are OK they are living with the Widders, oh yes she is with Denny Kear, they are living with the Abrams, oh he is with Evelyn Boyd, did you hear that she is living with Dick Brackin? She is treated like a
princess, she has her shelf all to herself. Yes Julie Rich got stuck with him, he was always a brat, oh, I heard they were with Walter Stevens, oh my yes they are with Chris Weinbrenner, the Comptons were so thrilled to adopt them, my oh my, they live with the Hansens and oh I forgot, they are out living with Margaret Payne, Kyle Husfloen took him and fixed him up good, oh but did you hear what happened to her, she was always stuck up over in England, but when Dale Abrams bought her, well the way she acted, you would of thought she was the queen of England. No telling where Dale will have her sit. I heard so many names, no way I could get them all mentioned, but they know who they are. At least now they knew where some of their family, friends and neighbors were living and that they were OK.
See what we have done? We have reunited them. When we get new members, we add more to the lost family friends and neighbors. I went back to bed with a big smile on my face and slept peaceful.
When I awoke, I sat up thinking, WOW, I had the most wonderful dream last night. I said to our little cabin " Thank You". I also sat there thinking, where ever we find a piece of Tea Leaf whether it is at a garage sale, flea market, antique shop, auction, in the ground, regional meetings, or the convention, as each one of us look at a piece of Tea Leaf, that piece is talking to you saying "please buy me and take me home with you because my family member or neighbor or friend is also living with you. I want to be with them sitting on your shelf, I want to be reunited".
Wow, what a fantastic dream I had, but I will never tell anyone. They would never believe me or " would they?"
Lona Trott
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That's it for letters this week.
Believe it or not, I actually found a cake plate that Chris doesn't have! This Furnival piece is VERY stained and discolored, but it'll soon be living in Cake Plate Heaven in Iowa.
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You know where I'll be next Saturday - will you be there, too? I plan to take photos for TLOL at the Chadwick Auction but would like to have one or several of you report on prices. Any volunteers? Julie Rich and I are driving over together from Columbus and will arrive in Connersville on Friday evening. Hope to catch up with lots of you at the Inn. We'll be driving back to Columbus on Saturday evening after the sale in order to have brunch with the White Ironstone Club board members and officers who are meeting here in Columbus next weekend.
Anyone planning to be driving through Columbus either on the way to Indiana or on the way back who might want to stop by and say "hi"? Let me know if you want to join Julie and me for pizza Thursday evening.
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Think we've discovered all the copper lustre Variants?
Not hardly!
Check out this very heavily copper lustred Livesley Powell platter with acorns and oak leaves.
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Want to send a TLOL contribution? Write to TLOL@aol.com or just click below!
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TLOL Publication Schedule
November 5 - Yes
November 12 - NO TLOL
(see you at the Chadwick auction)
November 19 - Yes
November 26 - Yes
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See you at the auction next weekend!
Dale
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TEA LEAF ONLINE
October 22, 2000
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LATE BREAKING NEWS
Click this link for information about a
Tea Leaf sale this coming Tuesday
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Look for the email "splash" throughout this issue.
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Whenever you see it, you can click
it to send a contribution to
Tea Leaf OnLine.
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TEA LEAF ONLINE MEMBER UPDATES
Welcome this week to Dennis and Judy Burger of Bradenton, FL
Also new this week, Gaylon Gwin from Alabama
Danny Spurgeon reports a new email address -- I have changed my email address. I am getting ready to move to FL and have enjoyed getting you news letter. I hope that I can continue to receive it as a member of the Tea Leaf Club
DISCUSSION TOPIC
From Walt and Pat comes this new topic...
DISCUSSION TOPIC #1
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Our memories of the last Convention always include a positive reaction to Saturday's presentations. Jim Gaines spoke of “Some of the Lesser Stars” and Julie Rich told us about American Tea Leaf. Jim had slides of pieces potted by Wileman, Corn, Challinor, and J & G Meakin. Julie shared her knowledge of Ohio & New Jersey Tea Leaf potters. Who would you include in the “Lesser Stars” category? Do you own any pieces made by the “Lesser Stars” ? Any American? Do you specialize in either group? How plentiful are these pieces? If scarce, why? How valuable are they? After hearing the presentations are you ready to start collecting them?
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Have an opinion about this topic? Click below to send your TLOL contribution
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TEA LEAF PUZZLER
Anne Miller sent this photo and question. I'm presenting it as this week's Puzzler for a couple of reasons. First...I don't know the answer either. And second, I want to encourage all of you to pay close attention to the Ladle Project that the Education Committee is currently undertaking. Adele Armbruster is compiling photos and measurements of as many ladles as can be identified...but she can't produce a comprehensive ladle identification guide without our help. In an earlier issue of Readings there was a ladle survey form for you to complete. The form will be sent again with the next newsletter. It's important for us to complete the form and return it to Adele as soon as possible. More information about this project is included in the next Readings.
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Can you identify the body style of this ladle?
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SEEN ON
SHAW SAUCE TUREEN
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Seller's Description
This beautiful old ironstone tureen has all the original pieces; underplate, tureen, lid, and ladle. It is in excellent condition except for a barely visible 1" hairline crack in the underplate. Made by Anthony Shaw & Son, England. Buyer pays actual shipping and insurance.
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GRAPE OCTAGON UNDERTRAY
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Seller's Description
WHITE IRONSTONE OCTAGON UNDERPLATE FOR SAUCE TUREEN WITH COPPER LUSTER TRIM. HAS BRANCH HANDLES WITH A GRAPE AND LEAF MOTIF MEASURING 8&1/2" BY 6&3/4". SIGNED ON THE BASE IRONSTONE CHINA - EDWARD WALLEY, CIRCA 1890'S. IT IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, NO CHIPS, CRACKS, REPAIRS OR STAINING.
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HOMER LAUGHLIN PIE PLATE
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Seller's Description
HERE IS A PATTERN YOU DONT SEE VERY OFTEN AND THE CONDITION IS NR/MINT. IT SHOWS ON BOTTOM THE USUAL LIGHT BROWN SPOTS (3)& A VERY FEW SCRATCHES (VERY LIGHT)ON FRONT, NOT FROM USE BUT FROM ITEMS PLACED IN IT TO SIT. NO CRAZING,CHIPS,ETC. BUYER PAYS $5.15 S/H & INCLUDES INS. PRI. MAIL
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SHAW CHILD'S CREAMER
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Seller's Description
Tea Leaf Copper Luster 2-3/4" Creamer Made Before 1891. This antique piece measures 2-3/4"H at the spout and 3"H at the handle. The width is 3"across from the spout to handle. This miniature creamer has one little mark on the bottom which puts it prior to 1891. No manufacturer mark at all. It is in very nice condition with only a little crazing under the glaze. No chips, cracks or nicks which is not bad for over a hundred years old. This little piece will enhance any collection.
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MEAKIN INDIVIDUAL CREAMER
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Seller's Description
Meakin Tea Leaf Childs Pitcher
This Meakin ironstone Tea leaf pitcher is almost 2½" tall !!!! This was purchased recently at an auction and contained a note that is was part of a childs set !!The copper luster is bright and the pitcher is in wonderful condition. ... A great addition to you
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LETTERS
Jeanette Allard writes...
Wish I could have gone on the tour on Friday during the convention--but I just couldn't miss my high school class's 50th (ugh) reunion. I missed talking to so many of my Tea Leaf friends. I hope to get to more regionals this year. I especially want to thank the Sleepers for my two "Star Pins." I still have them!!! I hope to see
lots of you at the auction on November 11.
Jeanette
[JA, I didn't know about the special pair of stars until I saw a photo of you modeling them in the next Readings. You can be sure I'll be at the November Chadwick auction. Wonder if anyone will be there besides you and me? DA]
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Prior to leaving for China, Eleanor Washburn sent...
Hope I'm not too late to say that I totally agreed with all the positive comments regarding Convention 2000!! I loved and enjoyed it all, programs, sales(!), meetings, the auction and just seeing all of you good Tea Leafers as well as meeting the new members, too. Thanks to all who worked so hard to make the meeting a success. Thanks, too, for this special area of comminucation...I'm enjoy it more and more.
Margaret's thoughts on the slow elevators were so neat...where else could we have that extra minute or two to visit with friends??? Suzidee and Allen's First Timer meeting and activities were fun and exciting..What a great way to get them acquainted..and I'll bet all are well familiar with Thomas Elsmore now!
Must say a few words about the Handbook supplement...Nancy, it is so well done and greatly appreciated..I particularly like the splitting up of the Gothics and plain Rounds..I discovered Dangling Tulip, a new body to me, and, also the discovery that Loop and Line has it's own idenity..I still felt it was Grand Loop on pieces not large enough for the entire Loop..so, I've learned another lesson. The Gallery of Rare and Unusual is a super addition and I'm sure more will be added..Two more pieces of information to include in the supplement...I have a Chelsea Grape on a Berry Cluster plate and the lovely pitcher I was fortunate enough to win in the auction is Arched Forget-me-not with Lustre band and Cobalt blue..It's a beauty!! Just wonder how many more additions you have had since Convention, Nancy?
I'm leaving for China tomorrow, Oct. 19 and will be back in early Nov., meanwhile, please check your cupboards and collections for unusual Alfred Meakin pieces. or just items that are special to you...The Alfred Meakin Revisited supplement is due out in early 2001 and I need your help...all of you!!
Stay well.....Eleanor Washburn
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New TLOLer Gaylon Gwin writes...
I am a fairly recent member of Tea Leaf Club International, though I've been interested and collecting most of my life because my mother is a collector, and someday I will have her pieces as well. I received the 2000 update for the tea leaf handbook, but since I do not have the 1995 handbook, I have nothing to update! How do I get a copy of the original handbook? Please let me know if it is still available, and where I can obtain it. We do not have e-mail at home yet, but please contact me through my work address. Thanks.
Gaylon Gwin, Lapine, AL
[Gaylon, Welcome to the Tea Leaf Club and to TLOL. For you (and anyone else who doesn't have the original Handbook), copies can be purchased from the Tea Leaf Giftique. Contact Marie Compton (comptonmw@aol.com) for details. DA]
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A Press Release from Winterthur...
Winterthur is pleased to announce the fourth annual Ceramics in America Conference, March 29-31, 2001. We will be welcoming back as speakers some old friends as well as several new internationally respected scholars. Preconference activities include workshops by Leslie Grigsby and Pat Halfpenny and tours that focus on the museum's ceramics collection.
Ceramics in America attracts a broad range of enthusiasts, from the novice to the expert. Speakers include curators as well as leading scholars from the fields of archaeology and crafts, including Carl Crossman, who will speak about blue and white hand-painted and transfer-printed wares from Federal New England. The conference will present recent research as well as foster broader discussions of the wares, focusing on 17th- through -20th century ceramics made or used in America, their sources of inspiration, and wares produced in the same period for other markets. This year, in addition to the formal lecture, a live pottery demonstration (with video assist) will be offered.
Please direct any questions to:
Kelly Van Camp
Program Assistant
(302) 888-4786
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About the LOV numbered Barbershop Mugs pictured in last week's TLOL, Carol Chadwick writes...
Yes, I do have the LOV Barbershop mug. I think it's number 20 but will have to check when I get home.
Carol.
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Bev & Ernie sent the following photos as a suggested Puzzler but I decided to highlight this plate as a letter instead. As far as we know, the only body style John Farrall decorated with copper lustre is Dangling Tulip. I suspect, therefore, that that's what this plate is. Of course, the neat tulip motif that we find on hollowware pieces is missing from the plate, but I'm pretty sure that's what it is. The embossed scallops do match the few pieces I've seen.
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That's it for letters this week.
Chris Weinbrenner has just about finished working her Readings magic and it will go to the printer this coming week. I'll let you know when it's mailed in November so you can watch your mailboxes. This issue contains LOTS of photos and convention reports, the Holiday Giftique Catalog and a special insert with Convention auction prices.
As promised, I've finally taken some photos of the recently-acquired Anthony Shaw reticulated compote. Thanks to those of you who sent notes. You may recall that in TLOL last year we all were asked to go to GTLI and pick the one piece we would most like to add to our collections. By a wide margin this compote was on top of the list. It's much larger than I thought it would be - nearly as tall as GTLI. The wonderful embossing on the outside surface was also a surprise. Wonder how long it will be before another shows up?
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I've posted the following request in the Tea Leaf Classifieds, but thought I'd supplement my request with a photo. Anyone have a Teaberry Balanced Vine sauce tureen base to go with the lid and undertray shown here?
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No Tea Leaf OnLine next Sunday due to the Columbus Marathon. As it happens, the Marathon route runs right past our house and for the last 10 years, we've invited a houseful of guests for brunch and the opportunity to cheer the runners on. This year, we've invited 100 people and will spend the week cooking and cleaning house. If you're going to be in Columbus next Sunday, let me know - you're invited to join us.
Want to send a TLOL contribution? Write to TLOL@aol.com or just click below!
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TLOL Publication Schedule
October 29 - NO TLOL
November 5 - Yes
November 12 - NO TLOL
(see you this weekend at the Chadwick event)
November 19 - Yes
November 26 - Yes
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Please send a contribution to the November 5 issue.
Dale
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TEA LEAF ONLINE
October 15, 2000
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WELCOME TO TEA LEAF ONLINE
New Participants:
Gloria Poertner
Virginia Basinger of Kansas
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Gloria and Virginia are both Charter Members of the Tea Leaf Club - they have been with us for our entire 20 year history. WELCOME!
Jeanette Allard reports a new email address
Carol Chadwick and so do
Chuck & Marti Peterson
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WOW...there certainly are alot of us online. I bet there isn't another club around that's as "high tech" as TLCI.
DISCUSSION TOPIC
DISCUSSION TOPIC #1
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Last call for Convention Memories
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Have an opinion about this topic? Click on the mailbox and send your TLOL contribution. . .
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TEA LEAF PUZZLER
None this week. Anyone have any ideas for new Puzzlers?
CONVENTION PHOTOS
From Carl Hansen come more wonderful Convention photos...
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 First Timers Meeting
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 Rare and Unusual Pieces
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 Auction Check-In
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 Auctioneer
Terrell Medd
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 Frog Mug from R&U
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 Prez Denny at First Timers Meeting
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 Ginger at Table Sales
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 More Rare & Unusual
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 More Table Sales Treasures
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 And More Still
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Watch future issues for pictures from the Auction...and more.
SEEN ON
Recent Teaberry Sightings Online
CLEMENTSON TEABERRY BRUSH VASE
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Seller's Description
Tea Leaf Variant Toothbrush Holder~Clementson
Very hard to find tea leaf variant "Teaberry" brush holder by Clementson. Measures 4 1/2" tall Has overall crazing,3 hairline cracks at the mouth. See Pics. Bottom is discolored. A nice find for any Tea Leaf collection!
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CLEMENTSON TEABERRY COFFEEPOT
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Seller's Description
Tea leaf variant Teaberry coffee pot by Clementson Bros England. Approximately 10" high. Coffee pot has seen better days. Spout has been broken off half way down and has been mended. Pinnacle on lid has been broken off and mended. There is some crazing, but no other cracks or chips. Would make a nice shelf piece. Buyer to pay shipping. I accept payment by PayPal, Billpoint and money orders.
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CLEMENTSON TEABERRY HEAVY SQUARE SUGAR BOWL
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Seller's Description
ROYAL IRONSTONE TEA LEAF COPPER LUSTER SUGAR
You never know what you might find in Lousbasement !
I imagine that this piece is a sugar bowl, though it is quite large. The white ironstone background is perfect to highlight the copper luster detail of the tea leaf pattern which is painted on the front and back of the top as well as the base of this lovely piece. The copper luster detail is also continued as trim along the foot, the lip of the bowl, the edge of the top, the handles, and also the handle on top. Aside from some very faint crazing, this item is in excellent condition, having no cracks, chips or visible repairs at all. Measuring over 6 1/2 inches wide, by 4 inched across, and standing about 7 inches tall. Clearly marked "ROYAL IRONSTONE CHINA CLEMENTSON BROS. ENGLAND" and also having an impressed number on the bottom which looks like "R N 20941"
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CLEMENTSON TEABERRY ELEGANCE RELISH DISH
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Seller's Description
Small oval relish dish, open handle at one end, Teaberry pattern. Dimensions approx 5-3/4 by 8 inches. There is no damage on this piece (no chips, no cracks, no flakes etc.). Two minute manufacturing flaws are highlighted for your examination. Note that the bright spot in the upperleft of the front view pictures is reflected natural light from a nearby window. It is signed "Royal Ironstone China - Clementson Bros England" Buyer pays P&I costs.
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TEABERRY BUTTER PAT (and Bamboo Sauce Tureen Undertray)
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Seller's Description
Here are a couple of interesting pieces of old nineteenth century Tea Leaf ironstone. The first is a butterpat in what I think is the early "Teaberry" variant made by Clementson (it's not marked, except for a squiggle that I think is a decorator's mark)....it's design is done in shiny copper luster. It's in very good condition...it has some glaze crackle and a couple of tiny flaws in the glaze on one edge that look as if they may have always been there....they are not obtrusive. It's 2 1/2" square and stands 3/4" high. The second piece is an underplate that looks like a little tray. It's in the bamboo shape and I believe it's the underplate for a sauce boat.The decoration is not as shiny on this one as on the other. It's marked "Royal Ironstone China...Alfred Meakin England". It's 8 1/4" by 5 1/2" and stands an inch high. It too is in good condition...it has some glaze crackle which I can see only with a glass, and two tiny flakes off the underside of the rim which don't show unless you turn it over. There is also a small round hole in the glaze on the underside which has always been there. Both pieces are a nice bright shiny white and there are no cracks or discolouration. please scroll down to see details and marks. NO RESERVE, buyer pays S/I...money order or cashier's check preferred.
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TEABERRY CHILD'S CUP AND SAUCER SET
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Seller's Description
The cup is 2 2/16 inches tall. No chips or cracks with 1 rough place on the rim. The saucer measures 4 1/2 inches across. No chips or cracks. Marked Royal Ironstone China* Clementson Bros. England.
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CLEMENTSON TEABERRY PLATTER
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Seller's Description
This platter is in very good condition, no chips or cracks, with a little staining on the front. It measures 16 3/4 x 11 3/4 inches and the luster is very good. On the back of the platter is Royal Ironstone China - Clementson Bros. England, and a number 14 imprinted in the platter.
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TEABERRY SAUCE DISHES - J&G MEAKIN!!??
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Seller's Description
I don't know how old these sauce dishes are but they are imprinted with the initials J&GM. They measure 5 inches across and are in perfect condition.
Pay special attention to the J&G Meakin
mark on the above item!
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LETTERS
Dick Brackin writes...
I cannot agree more with all the messages of congratulations this week about the convention in Akron. Again, it was superb! I cannot tell if it is another of the signs of advancing age or what, but each year seems better than any of the previous years. I know that I have a mind like a sieve and that the holes are getting larger each day, but...
The highlights for me, in order of occurrence, not necessarily importance, were the ride to Akron with Dale--we had not spent so much time together for more than two years and it felt so good to "catch up"; flea marketing with Mary Oursler and John Meneghini; the open-house which Linda hosted and learning her positive health update as well as chatting with Elizabeth; riding with Pat Stoolman all the way to East Liverpool and back and enjoying the Ceramics Museum and being surprised at how much I enjoyed the Homer Laughlin tour; the educational programs, particularly Jim Gaines' on lesser stars; the new and improved Rare and Unusual; the auction--I am particularly thrilled that I came home (actually the pieces are in Dale's dining room) with my sought for Thomas Hughes purchase, plus a second coveted purchase; table sales from which I left with a Bahl bowl courtesy of Marjorie Yambrovich--actually the bowl is pretty ugly, but it was made in Carrollton, Ohio, my hometown and it does have tea leaves on it and I did not have a piece before; seeing so many such wonderful friends (Carol, Bev and Ernie, Dorothy Beckley, all those hugs from Eleanor Washburn, Gale, Nancy and Don, Betty and Jim, Carl Z., Carl and Ginger, Pat and Walt, Lou Ann and you-know-who, Connie and Denny, Chris, Mary, Kimmey. Phyllis and Terrell, and receiving unexpected gifts from folks like Margaret Payne.) I think that you are correct, Dale, about the hotel--the food was wonderful, the best we have had for a long time, but being checked out of the hotel every day by the front desk and waiting into the next millennium for the elevator each time sucked swamp water!
I have returned to a cooler and drier Hong Kong so I am much happier. Having seen friends and family though briefly, also helps my sense of contentment. I am frustrated however for I have yet to find three things--my camera (could not find it when I arrived in Akron), the guide to Linda's collection (I think that I must have left it in Juliehoo's car); and the update to the body styles handbook. I still have a bit of unpacking to do, but I may have to beg Linda and purchase from Marie. Oh, well, it will all be worth it.
Enough...BIG HUGS to everyone until next year...Dick
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Denny Kear sends...
Well the dust from the convention has finally settled and we are finally back home in Texas. We had a fantastic time at the convention. All of the convention chairs and their helpers should be proud of the job they did. I for one am extremely proud of their achievements and dedication. This kind of team work is what makes our club so special.
The educational presenters, Jim, Julie, and Kyle were outstanding. Their presentations were informative, to the point, and within their allotted amount of presentation time - a special atta girl to Julie, WHO I know would have liked more time. We saw some exceptional Rare and Unusual pieces and a big thank you to everyone who shared these special treasures with us. The raffle was a huge success and will go a long way to help with the cost of printing the Handbook update.
Friday night $1 - $40 sales, the auction, and Sunday Table Sales gave us all excellent opportunities to add to our collections. As a result Connie and I were very happy to pick up a LOV potty with lid at table sales. This completed our LOV bath set which has been an ongoing project for several years.
Some time ago we bought a broken ladle for a soup tureen, Jeanette Allard helped me (us Ohio State Buckeye fans do stick together) get it repaired and brought it to us at the convention. Our problem was the
opposite of most people, we now had the ladle but nothing to put it in. Mary Bertram was set up next to us at Sunday Table Sales and low and behold she had a Meakin Bamboo soup tureen with tray. That solved our
problem...... Just goes to show you one of the reasons we look forward to the convention each year.
Hope more of you will be able to attend next year when TLCI invades French Lick, Indiana.
Denny Kear
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Speaking of French Lick, Chris W notes...
Talked to Margaret this AM and she & Fonis had spent a little time at French Lick this weekend. She is sending me some sketches. Am really excited after reading their website which I downloaded.
Chris
Lobby Photo-->
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[Interested in a sneak peek of the French Lick Springs Resort...visit their website at http://www.frenchlick.com DA]
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Education Committee chair Nancy U observes...
Well, I guess it was bound to happen sometime - the Handbook offered on eBay. And for a starting price of $24. Should we Email the bidders to contact Mike & Marie?
 Lafayette Shape
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Speaking of the Handbook, soon after the convention I received an Email from first timer Ellyn Wilkoff. Ellyn wondered if her newly purchased Handbook was missing a page. She couldn't find Lafayette Shape to make the listed correction. Yes, the Lafayette Shape page is missing from Ellyn's book and also from everybody elses. My goof! Lafayette Shape should have been a new page since it wasn't listed in the 95 Handbook. My apologies to anyone who is searching for that page.
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 Lafayette Shape
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I find it especially gratifying that a first timer is interested enough to immediately make the suggested corrections. Sometimes I think that there are only a few of us really interested in research and education topics - this Email reassured me that our efforts are appreciated and it rekindles my desire to continue the quest for new information about Tea Leaf.
I'd also like to comment on the Classified section of our web site. It works! I not only sold my "senior moment" duplicate Staffordshire book - Ken Munroe came through with the Chinese sauce tureen base that I needed. The Chinese piece had some damage but it isn't near as bad as the original one which had huge sections of glaze sloughing off (another victim of chlorine bleach). So thanks Mark and thanks Ken. Now who's got the Davenport Rondeau lids I need?
Don and I are off to my nephew's wedding in PA and then on the New England to find some pieces for the Maillist (i.e. if that young Italian gentleman hasn't been there first!). Happy Hunting! Nancy
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Thought I'd share my latest acquisition with the TLOLers. I saw this pitcher on a table across the room.
When I saw it up close and personal,
I saw this side of it*-->
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*The two funny looking marks are staples. There is a crack from the top rim down to the base and across the bottom. It was reinforced by the staples strategically placed just above the ridges of this Panelled Gothic Teaberry beauty. There are also two staples in the bottom. It really appealed to me - just think, even 60 or 70 years ago, someone thought enough of their Grandma's Tea Leaf ironstone to preserve it.
P.S. EdCom members: You'll be receiving your 2001 assignments early next month. I'll Email them this time since all of you are now on-line.
[Nancy, The Handbook is for sale by TLCI member and TLOLer Stan Moreo of Silver Birch Antiques. Stan carries a large assortment of reference books and is very committed to education for ironstone collectors. I'll be interested to see what the final selling price will be. DA]
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Gerald and Maxine share a visit...
Hello Everyone,
I don't have any G R E A T buys to tell about, but I do have a testimonial regarding the Club's website.
Bill from Littleton, CO found Tea Leaf on the internet. He contacted his 94 year old Mother (Sara) who lives 20 miles or so from us. Bill gave Dale's name to Sara & Dale emailed me. In return, I contacted her & invited them to our home. Her son (Bill) had already planned a trip to KC so he brought Sara & a friend of her's (Nellie) last Sun. afternoon to visit. We served pie & coffee (all on Tea Leaf with Tea Leaf napkins of course) & talked Tea Leaf. MARIE, get this, one of the things that really impressed both ladies were the Tea Leaf napkins. They were careful not to use them & decided to take them home instead. See, I told you those napkins get them every time.
Sara has around 100 pcs. of mostly LOV. We gave them a crash course as to the many different potters that made Tea Leaf & they were overwhelmed. We have been invited to visit Sara's home & her collection. Can't wait to see all that LOV.
Bill is giving his Mother a membership to the Club as a Christmas gift. Couldn't shake him loose for one for himself, but I haven't given up. By the way, we are trying to talk Sara into going to the regional & perhaps
convention next year. She is very spry for 94. Last April she toured Italy.
Well, that is one example as to how the website is working for us. Thanks to all who are involved with it & a special thanks to our webmaster, Dale.
Also, we noticed there is a Tea Leaf Club Handbook for sale on eBay.
Gerald & Maxine
[G&M, I, too, had a wonderful conversation with Sara. She certainly is excited about meeting fellow Tea Leaf collectors and shared some interesting stories with me about using Tea Leaf when she was a girl. She told me that she always volunteered to set the table for special events because that way she got to put the Tea Leaf plate at her place. She's as excited about Tea Leaf today as she was almost a century ago. DA]
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From Margaret Payne comes...
What a great Convention we had!! But then, don't we always think so when it is all over? It takes about 2 weeks before we even want to think "Convention" again, but pretty soon the e-mails are flying, ideas are exchanged, and the old fire horses are ready to go for next year.
It is regrettable that everyone in the club could not have been there to hear the wonderful programs presented by our own members--and aren't we fortunate to have those who are so talented and willing to put in the time and research required to present programs of this caliber?
You would have been dazed at Linda Slate's house, agog at the ceramics museum, and stuffed with all the good food. It is also too bad that everyone could not have participated in the auction, which quite exceeded the expectations (even that of some of the bidders!!), enjoyed the roadshow, TLOL program, met the "Stars", oohed at Sunday table sales,joined in the hospitality, voted for your favorite "rare" piece, and, most of all, rubbed elbows and exchanged war stories with the over 200 attendees who all appeared to be having a great time. Even the balky elevators served a purpose--gave us more time to talk to each other! About half the people attending worked on the Convention in one capacity or another--that is real participation.
It was sad that several were unable to attend at the last minute due to family illnesses and emergencies and we hope that all is well with them at this time. We missed all of you who were not there so make your plans NOW to join us next year in French Lick, IN.
REGIONALS. There were plans made or at least a host selected for 9 of the 13 Regions--so if you are from one of those who has not made plans yet (or perhaps not let me know about them) please consider adding another Tea Leaf to your crown by being a Regional Host. These are the regions that I have no host for at this time--Heartland, Southeastern, Northcentral, Capitol Edition. If you have any info. or decide to be a host, please let me know. Hope to hear from all of you soon so we can send you information and also get the plans listed in the first READINGS of the new year. Early plans let everyone know and boost attendance.
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Special thanks to all who helped and all who came--it would not have happened without you.
Margaret
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Ellyn Wilkoff asks a couple of questions...
Maybe this question has been asked before & because I'm new I just haven't discovered the answer. Since Tea Leaf was exported from England to the US was it also exported to India? The Victorian art collection in the
maharajah's palace in Calcutta might suggest English china as well. I plan to give butter plates to visiting members of the Birla family of Jaipur to set them sleuthing. I thought to query the members of TLOL as well. Does anyone know?
I am very much enjoying this web site, but where is the lovely web site of what you have for sale in your shop in Columbus? I think I've missed something.
P.S. I had one other observation from last week's convention that I would like to pass along. I don't think I have ever been with a more geographically aware group of people. People who know geography and the relationship of "their" place to "your" place and the places in-between was truly amazing. The excitement to search out not only new Tea Leaf but new venues in which to behold the spirit of the Tea Leaf time periods gave me a new energy. I was glad to have received the TLCI's hospitality. Thanks again.
[Ellyn, Wouldn't it be fun to think that there's loads of Tea Leaf in India. I'm not aware of any and don't know much about where else ironstone may have been shipped other than to North America. Does anyone know the answer to this question? Thanks, too, for asking about my personal Tea Leaf website The address is http://ourworld.cs.com/TeaLeafIronstone For those of you who haven't visited, I don't have a shop...but if you're interested in seeing what I've got for sale, and sharing Tea Leaf stories, call me and make arrangements to drop by at home. DA]
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Margaret Mitchell sends...
Greetings from Dayton: First a big "thank you" to all the members who worked so hard in Akron to give the rest of us Tea Leafers a pleasant experience at our convention. The speakers were informative and brief. I wish I had been able to see more of the evening's Antique Road Show, but my husband and I slipped out to
have great steaks at the Diamond Grill a few blocks away. The Online group was very informative and wish it could have been earlier in the day, but I realize how you do your best to utilize the little time we have at these conventions.
The hospitality cookies and lemonade was a great success. One suggestion: instead of more mugs, couldn't we have something made like the miniature tea leaf cups you had for the Cedar Rapids convention? Take up less room and great to add to our collections.
A thank you to Chris Weinbrenner to send a copy of Carl Hansen's information on cleaning ironstone. We forgot that we already had it. Also thank Anne Miller for all her input also in cleaning ironstone--as well as the hazards.
That's all from this end.
Sincerely, Margaret Mitchell
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That's it for letters this week.
Chris Weinbrenner is hard at work on Readings and promises that this is going to be a BIG 32-page issue. I'll let you know when it's mailed.
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Thought I'd share a photo of a couple pieces which were recently offered for sale...a Berry Cluster Teaberry Creamer and an ?maker? soup tureen ladle. I've known about the ladle for years but the dealer was hesitant to sell it. I was surprised when he called two weeks ago and decided to part with it...along with the creamer. Since I don't have any Berry Cluster Teaberry pieces in my collection I am particularly delighted with this find.
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Lily-of-the-Valley Barbershop Mugs...another one discovered!
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Another of those elusive copper lustre numbered L-O-V mugs has surfaced...this one, Number "13", from San Francisco. The photo of the "22" is from my own collection. I know that Bob Skinner has one and Tom Chadwick had one, too, but I can't remember the numbers. Carol and Bob, can you help? Wonder where the rest are...can any TLOLer report on another one? These certainly must have been a special order for a barbershop. Can you imagine what a whole mug rack of these Lily mugs must have looked like - spectacular!
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Yes, I did promise to write about my reticulated compote purchase this week, but time has run out and I never got the photos taken. I promise to get to it - it's quite a spectacular piece-much larger than expected.
Nancy and I are working on adding the Annise Heaivilin Research Library inventory and lending guidelines to the members-only section of the website. Carl Hansen also plans to help place historical educational supplements on the website in a PDF format. Don't know what PDF is? We'll try to make it easy for you. LOTS of plans...never enough time.
Speaking of a lack of time...there is still a problem accessing TLOL back issues. I'm working on a fix which will involve dropping the oldest issues as we add newer back issues. So...if you want to permanently save your old TLOLs, be sure to print them out and file them in your new Giftique TLOL notebooks.
Want to send a TLOL contribution? Write to TLOL@aol.com or just click below!
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TLOL Publication Schedule
October 22 - YES
October 29 - NO TLOL
November 5 - Yes
November 12 - NO TLOL
(see you this weekend at the Chadwick event)
November 19 - Yes
November 26 - Yes
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Thanks for your emails this week. You make TLOL a pleasure to work on.
Dale
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TEA LEAF ONLINE
October 1, 2000
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Whew...Convention 2000 has come and gone - and what a convention it was!
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WELCOME TO NEW TLOL NEW MEMBERS
Wilma Weisenstein
Harry Moseley
Norm & LouAnn Scott
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Annalea Robeson has a new email address
Wayne & Maryhelen Chadwick have a new email address
TEA LEAF PUZZLER
None this week. Anyone have any ideas for new Puzzlers?
DISCUSSION TOPIC
DISCUSSION TOPIC #1
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Convention Memories
Share your views of Convention 2000
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Have an opinion about this topic? Click on the mailbox and send your TLOL contribution. . .
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CONVENTION MEMORIES
A small sampling from the Rare & Unusual Display...
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Watch future issues for pictures from the Auction...and more.
SEEN ON
MEAKIN BOSTON EGG CUP
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Seller's Description
This is a small Tea Leaf Ironstone Bowl.
Size 4 inches in diameter and 1 3/4 inches high.
Signed on the back Royal Ironstone China. Alfred Meakin England.
Condition: There is a small hairline crack on one side of the bowl and a chip on the base of the bowl.
Moderate crazing throughout the piece.
Buyer to pay S/I. PA resident to pay 6% sales tax.
Thanks for your interest.
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WILKINSON MAIDENHAIR FERN GRAVY
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Seller's Description
A.J. Wilkinson - Tea Leaf Ironstone Gravy
In outstanding condition, this tea leaf gravy dish or boat is very clean. No cracks, chips, or damage: however; we want to be thorough and mention a line of light discoloration and a slight roughness on one edge of the handle just below the scroll decoration.
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PRE TEA LEAF PLATTER
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Seller's Description
LARGE OLD COPPER TEA LEAF IRONSTONE PLATTER
Nice old platter in pretty good condition for age, no chips or cracks, some nicks in glaze (note photo), a few discoloration spots and there is an overall crazing in glaze. Platter measures 16 1/4" by 13". I am unable to make out mark, please note photo of mark.
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EDWARDS PEERLESS (FEATHER) 3-PIECE SOAP DISH
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Seller's Description
This piece of Tea Leaf was made by John Edwards in England. The butter dish measures 5 1/4" long 4 1/4" wide and about 3 3/4" tall. The butter dish has it's original liner and is free from chips and cracks. The liner has crazing and has some stain. There is a little bit of crazing on the inside side of the bottom that has a little bit of stain, but not bad. This piece has not been cleaned. A great addition to any Tea Leaf collection. Buyer to pay $8.00 for shipping, insurance and packing in the US. International shipping will increase by the amount of extra freight. All packages will be marked as merchandise and NOT as gifts if shipped outside the US. Save on shipping with multiple winning bids. I am glad to refund your money if the item is not as described, but the non permanent mark must be intact and you must notify me within three days of receiving the piece. Please feel free to email with any questions you may have, but please don't wait the the last few hours as I am not always on at the end of my auctions. Thanks for looking and bidding. Good Luck!!
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LETTERS
Annise and daughter Marcia sent greetings just prior to the convention...
Grandma Annise Heaivilin sends her warmest regards to everyone and welcomes the new members.
We just had the first Great Northwest Regional here in Bellingham, Washington on August 19th, 2000. It was the first for many! Several gracious people attended and we had a lovely time. More to come in the next Tea Leaf Readings.
We look forward to good reports from the Tea Leaf Club International Millennium Convention.
Sincerely,
Marcia and Annise