Tea Leaf Club International | Additional Tea Leaf OnLine Back Issues
Back Issues - July-September 2001
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TEA LEAF ONLINE
September 9, 2001
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Look for the email "splash" throughout this issue.
Whenever you see it, you can click it to send a contribution to Tea Leaf OnLine.
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This is it...the last Tea Leaf OnLine prior to the convention. I'll be spending the rest of my weekend and all next week packing, sorting, pricing, organizing, and anticipating a great convention weekend. Looking forward to seeing you there!
TEA LEAF ONLINE MEMBER UPDATES
Welcome new members...
None this week
Email address changes...
None this week
Undeliverable email addresses...
Marlys & Walter Black
DISCUSSION TOPIC
CURRENT DISCUSSION TOPIC: CONVENTION MEMORIES
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By the time we publish the next Tea Leaf OnLine at the end
of September, convention 2001 will be history.
Please share with us your convention memories.
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Have an opinion about this topic? Click below to send your TLOL contribution
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CLUB AND CONVENTION NEWS
Membership Growth
The Tea Leaf Club now has 957 members worldwide.
Help us reach our goal of 1,001 in 2001
Convention News
It's finally (almost) here. If you missed the access note from last week I've left it below. Any last minute convention questions can be sent to convention chair Walt Stevens
Need driving directions to French Lick? Try this Mapquest hotlink. Type in your address along with the hotel destination address and, like magic, door-to-door driving directions!
The hotel address is
8670 West State Road 56
French Lick IN 47432
IMPORTANT NOTE:
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When you arrive at the Hotel the first thing you will notice is the very long stairway leading up to the lobby level. For those of you who are bringing lots of boxes of items for show and tell, the auction, the display, table sales, etc., please don't be intimidated! Take advantage of the hotel staff to direct you to the lower level entrance. I'll also encourage you to do as I do...let them be responsible for taking your boxes and delivering them to your room or other appropriate location. I'm definitely getting too old to carry that many heavy boxes and would much rather give a couple bucks to a porter to do it for me.
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Take a look, too, at the location of each event for which you are bringing boxes of Tea Leaf. For example, if you're bringing items to check in for the auction, think about leaving them in your car until auction check-in time. The lower level entrance is just steps from the auction check-in tables and you can save yourself lots of schlepping if you don't handle your heavy boxes any more than you absolutely have to. The hotel has options to help you so take advantage of their resources.
TEA LEAF PUZZLER
Anyone have any ideas for future Puzzlers?
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Anyone have any favorites to share?
SEEN ON 
Two very different Mayer Brush Vases...
J&E Mayer Brush Vase
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Seller's Description
We think this is a vase. It is 5 1/2" tall and 4" wide with a top opening of 2 3/4". The mark indicates it is late 1800's the glaze and copper trim are excellent, and the only problem is one small chip on the base (see photo).
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J&E Mayer Brush Vase - UNUSUAL HANDLED STYLE
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Seller's Description
This is a lovely OLD Tea Leaf spooner. It is 5 1/2" tall. It is marked-see pic. There is glaze crazing, and some cracks. It is still a wonderful, HTF, piece of vintage Tea Leaf! This would be a wonderful gift for someone special, or treat yourself!!
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INTRODUCTIONS
No new profiles were received for this issue. If you'd like to submit a profile to share with other Tea Leaf OnLine participants, click on the "splash" below or email it to TLOL@aol.com.
LETTERS
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We've mentioned hot water pitchers in the last couple of Tea leaf OnLines so I thought I'd pay special attention to the Shaw Cable hot water pitcher that sold on eBay this week. Quite a rarity.
Nancy writes...If this isn't a hot water pitcher (supply jug) ONLY, I don't know what it is! It definitely is not a table pitcher in my estimation.
Nancy
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Convention presenters Bev & Ernie Dieringer send...
Hello everyone. We decided to add some new interesting visual material to our Plate Book presentation at the Convention at French Lick Indiana. Dale has been helping us by making slides of luster decorated plates. Some of them are unusual. We hope to show how to identify the embossed White Ironstone body styles/shapes under all the various luster enhancement. Slides of the book pages will be shown along with slides of the luster decorated plates. It should be interesting and we know we will all learn something new.
We hope to see you there and to get to meet more of the members behind the names we see on TLOL.
Ernie & Bev Dieringer
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Attending Convention as a First Timer? Buddies chair Valerie advises...
WOW! As of August 28th there was a whopping 27 First Timers registered for the convention in French Lick. I have been busy matching the First Timers up with members who have previously attended conventions. Both First Timers and Buddies will find in their registration packet a black top hat identification tag to wear to help First Timers and Buddies identify each other. I encourage previous attending members to assist all these First Timers on maneuvering the convention. It is always such a shock for a first timer to see so much tea leaf in one place.
Looking forward to meeting all the First Timers and seeing the returning members at this superior convention.
Valerie
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Glenda and Al could use some volunteers at Convention...
Hope you are all planning to come to the Convention. We are very excited, and working diligently to get things ready for registration. The most recent mail brings our current convention numbers up to 249. Can't wait to get us all together.
If anyone is looking for a job at convention, we could use someone Thursday afternoon, and someone Friday afternoon to help with registration. If you feel that you might enjoy seeing lots of friendly faces with big smiles, we can put you to work for a couple of hours. Our E-mail address is Asleep220@xxx.xxx if you feel inclined to help us out. Thanks in advance.
My mother, Betty Colebert, had planned to come to the Convention again this year, but became ill and has had to cancel. She was hospitalized for about a week, is home now, but is still pretty weak. She was really looking forward to coming, and is quite disappointed. If anyone has time, and could send her a card, it would make her day brighter, I'm sure. Her address is 24 Hastings Rd. Orchard Park, NY 14127.
See you all at French Lick.
Glenda Sleeper
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Margie Delheimer has some Tea Leaf for sale...
I have 13-9" plates for sale. They are all Alfred Meakin. They are in good condition, showing the usual surface wear and age from being used. One has a chip on the underside of the rim. Will take $12.00 a piece for total of $166.00. I can be reached by e-mail (Mardel 7@xxx.xxx). I will be attending the French Lick meeting, arriving late on Thursday. If buyer is attending the conference, I could transport the plates to FLR meeting.
If several buyers are firm with intent to buy, I will go by the first response to this e-mail. Hope to see you all at FLR. I remain, Margie Delheimer.
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From Mike & Marie Compton...
I was the bidder on the tall ewer/pitcher at Apple Tree. Do you know what shape it was? Of course, based on their description I considered it my mystery bid!!
We have been interviewing realtors as we make ready to move to Chicago area in November, so it has been a long week - getting the house ready to list, readying for convention and preparing for my parents visit this weekend! We may not give them the new address (well - that's never worked before!).
Take care,
Mike & Marie
[Marie, Yes, the ewer was Shaw Niagara Shape in excellent condition. You got a very nice piece of Tea Leaf! DA]
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Walt & Pat's convention wish list...
We never come home with just one piece of Tea Leaf from the Convention, so guess we cannot add to the current discussion. However, we will be looking on Friday night for these lids: a Maidenhair chamber pot, a LOV sugar bowl, a Cable sugar bowl, a Chelsea butter and did we say the lid to a Maidenhair chamber pot.
We will also have our eyes open for these: in Maidenhair Fern, a teapot, a 7 inch pitcher, a hot water pitcher, in Brocade a teapot and waste bowl, in Beaded Handle creamer and sugar, in Portland (Morning Glory motif) a cake plate and waste bowl, need the same pieces in Livesly & Powell Wrapped Sydenham, in Shaw Chinese a covered vegetable or a soup tureen. We would love to find creamers in Laurel Wreath or Fig Cousin.
We aren't even sure all of these pieces even exist, there are several that we have never seen. Although we might not find these at the Convention we know that we will something to buy. We always do. And there isn't any doubt that we will find many, many friends who want to talk about Tea Leaf. See you in a couple of weeks.
The Stevens
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Another wish list, this one from Linda McElwee...
I have thought and thought about what ONE item I wish to find and finally narrowed it down to two. The NY Teaberry sugar really needs a lid and the Feather soup an undertray. I have never been disappointed at the quality or quantity of TL at the convention. It's like the best shop in town!!
We are almost packed and ready to head to French Lick, and are anxious to see our TL family again.
Dale, I never cease to be amazed at the work you do for us in keeping this site up and going. Thanks once again.
Til French Lick, Happy Tea Leafing!!! Linda
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And another wish list from Peggy & Vic...
Regarding the discussion topic of which piece we would most like to come home from the convention with - a Walley Pre-Tea Leaf 4 pc. Soup Tureen. Seriously, does anyone know if they exist? We would like to take this opportunity to invite everyone to visit the Hospitality Suite in the Pavilion near the main lobby between 3:30 and 5:30 Friday afternoon. Maybe you can share the highlights of the tour as we are unable to participate due to Peggy's prior commitment (bank related). Looking forward to seeing Walt Stevens (in his spats) "Puttin' on the Ritz".
Peggy & Vic Regnaud
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Juliehoo writes...
Well, here I am - at the end of the line and late again. This probably won't make it this Sunday either but I got so busy reading bios of all these happy members that I forgot I was here to write again.
There are several of the bio writers that I have never met that I know of but I am looking forward to meeting all of you. Dale and Dick beat me by one convention. I have not missed one since 1981 when I joined the Club. I don't remember meeting Arene Burgess but always thought she must collect Burgess. I'm looking forward to her book. Will it be privately published or will she join Schiffler?
Connie Barr I remember fondly from her first and only convention. I cannot believe the baby she was carrying around (inside) at that convention is now 15. I have written about Connie's collection of Tobacco Leaf and kept in touch with her. I would have loved seeing her again as well as many old and newer friends but wasn't able to attend the Hanson's Regional.
Eleanor Washburn was very modest about her collection. Her home on the Lake is absolutely wonderful and her collection is all through it and all beautifully displayed.
HongKong Dick forgot to mention who helped him back all that TL before he left for the Far East. Well, Dale and Dick packed. I was the one who had to inventory each piece as it was packed. Dale also photographed much of it. I think that the final count was something like 100 boxes. I don't think I "clerked" all of it but it was getting to be a blur after several hours.
One question. The Wilkinson brush vase on eBay is not a shape I've seen before. Is it an unusual one?
Just a few more weeks. And thank you Dale for giving those directions. I was there with Dale earlier this year. I think everyone will be very impressed. Also tired of walking and HK Dick is going on the trip. He usually antiques during that time. Mary and I are going to monopolize him. We miss him.
Juliehoo
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And, finally, from Denny & Connie Kear...
Well, convention time is nearly here. Our Tea Leaf for the auction, Friday night and Sunday morning is packed and ready to load in the car. Before you know it we will be on our way. We have TLCI members coming from all over the country. It will be fun to renew old friendships once again. For those of you who aren't to keen about conventions in cities, you will love French Lick.
It looks like we will be at about 250 people for this years event. If you haven't signed up, there is still room for you.
There have been a lot of emails going back and forth as last minute details are being ironed out. Walt and all his chairs have worked hard as they always do. I personally want to thank each and every one of them for all their dedication.
We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in French Lick. Have a safe trip and see you soon.
Denny and Connie Kear
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That's it for letters this week.
Since we're off to French Lick, perhaps you'd like some background information:
History of French Lick Springs
The area called French Lick, Indiana, site of the French Lick Springs Resort & Spa and one of the earliest outposts in the middle-Western wilderness, was first settled more than 200 years ago by French traders.
After the discovery of rich mineral springs, which attracted animals who flocked to lick the waters and wet rocks, this valley became known among settlers as "The Lick".
The French had ideas about exploiting these lush salt deposits, but because of one obstacle and another, they never did make much progress. Finally, following the Louisiana Purchase Treaty in 1803, in which Napoleon relinquished claims on that part of the frontier, the French abandoned their trading posts at The Lick.
British settlers moved in about 1812. Despite continued Indian resistance, they succeeded in establishing a permanent fort. Indian incidents continued, however. One of the first recorded was the slaying of Irishman William Charles, who was attacked by Indians outside the fort. His remains are rumored to be buried somewhere beneath the front lawn of the resort.
In 1832, all the lands surrounding the actual mineral springs, which had been reserved for production of salt, was offered for public sale.
About 1,500 acres - including all the large springs - were purchased by a Dr. William A. Bowles. Within several years he opened the first French Lick Springs Hotel, a ramshackle, three-story frame building. It was an immediate success. People flocked from hundreds of miles to partake of the "miracle waters". They carried the mineral water away in all sorts of jugs and canvas containers. "Doc" Bowles had struck it rich.
In the 1850's, as North-South tension mounted, Bowles took time out from subversive activities to help charter the town of French Lick.
Just before the Civil War, Bowles was arrested, court martialed, convicted of treason and sentenced to death. President Lincoln, however, quietly commuted the sentence to life imprisonment. Bowles spent the war in a Federal prison in Ohio. He returned to French Lick in 1865 and managed the hotel until his death in 1873.
French Lick Springs thrived under various managements until 1897 when a disastrous fire destroyed most of the old frame buildings. Shortly thereafter the ruins were purchased by a syndicate which called itself the French Lick Springs Hotel Co. - headed by the then mayor of Indianapolis, Irish immigrant Thomas Taggart.
It was under Taggart's imaginative rule that French Lick Springs rocketed to international prominence. First he rebuilt a new main wing. He had the Monon Railroad lay a special spur and run daily trains between Chicago and the front entrance of the hotel.
He later designed a championship golf course (still later, a second). He modernized and expanded the baths and began bottling "Pluto Water" in concentrated form for national distribution. With an expansive and luxurious spa (and after Taggart had been named Democratic National Chairman in 1904), the elite of politics and society suddenly "discovered" French Lick Springs. It was at this hotel, too, in 1917 that tomato juice was first served, by world famous chef Louis Perrin.
Taggart insisted that the resort maintain a rigidly elegant dedication to health and recreation - although he himself was no teetotaler, he never permitted liquor on the premises. The first bar was not opened, in fact until after Repeal, some years following the old man's demise. The wealthy celebrities who descended upon the little town in the Indiana hills each spring and fall came (1) to take "the cure", (2) to play, (3) to conduct business and (4) to gamble.
Taggart always disclaimed any connection with plush gambling casinos throughout the valley. It never was however, officially explained how, in flagrant violation of state law, two big gambling rooms operated across the street from the hotel, perhaps half a dozen others catered to lesser hotel guests and common folk and, indeed at one time there was even a combination dice room and bowling alley right in the middle of the hotel's own Japanese gardens, near the Pluto Spring. In any event, French Lick Springs was to become as well known for it's resort facilities. The last casinos were shuttered in 1949. One of these buildings was taken over by the American Legion.
Taggart, who served briefly as a U.S. Senator by appointment, had three more wings added to the hotel in the
next 20 years. Taggart, who described himself as a hotelman first and a political hobbyist second, grew in stature until he was the acknowledged power behind Democratic politics in the U.S. Simultaneously, French Lick Springs developed a reputation as the unofficial party headquarters. It was there in Taggart's hotel in 1931 that Franklin Roosevelt rounded up support at a Democratic governor's conference for his party's presidential nomination.
Tom Taggart died in 1929. His son - the only boy among six children - Thomas D. Taggart, carried on. With the Depression, however, the popular French Lick Springs began to decline. World War II brought a momentary revival, but in 1946 young Tom Taggart sold out to a New York syndicate.
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Today, French Lick Springs Resort rests on some 2,600 acres in the breathtaking Hoosier National Forest. Newly acquired by Boykin Lodging Company, the resort eagerly embraces a "New Beginning". The current facility includes 470 rooms and boasts two superb golf courses, the Valley Course and the scenic, Donald Ross designed, Country Club Hill Course. Badminton, volleyball, horseshoes, shuffleboard, croquet, stables, and two swimming pools (including a spacious bubble enclosed one) are other activities offered. Additionally, excellent horses, tennis courts, mineral baths and massages await the pleasure of guests.
< Lobby
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The hotel's experienced staff is prepared to handle business meetings of any size up to 1,000 guests in some twenty-two function rooms, plus a 22,000 sq. ft. convention center. Facilities also include dining rooms, lounges, bowling alleys and a game room.
A rich and colorful history included such famous names as John Barrymore, Clark Gable, Bing Crosby, President Roosevelt, The Trumans, and The Reagans. All were honored guests at the French Lick Springs Resort. They walked in the rose gardens, they drank brandy on the veranda, and they relaxed in the mineral springs.
And now.....you can too.
See you in French Lick!
Dale
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Look for the email "splash" throughout this issue. Whenever you see it, you can click it to send a contribution to Tea Leaf OnLine.
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Publication Schedule |
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September 16 - No
September 20-23 CONVENTION!
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September 23 -No
September 30 - Yes
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TEA LEAF ONLINE
September 2, 2001
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Look for the email "splash" throughout this issue.
Whenever you see it, you can click it to send a contribution to Tea Leaf OnLine.
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Only this issue and one next weekend before TLOL goes on hiatus for the Convention. If you have any convention-related news, please send it immediately.
TEA LEAF ONLINE MEMBER UPDATES
Welcome new members...
Elaine and Harold Nelson Email address changes...
None this week
Undeliverable email addresses...
None this week
DISCUSSION TOPIC
CURRENT DISCUSSION TOPIC: CONVENTION WISH LIST
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Convention 2001 is less than a month away. There will be opportunities to purchase Tea Leaf on Friday evening, Saturday auction and Sunday table sales.
What is the one piece you would most like to come home
with from this convention?
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Have an opinion about this topic? Click below to send your TLOL contribution
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CLUB AND CONVENTION NEWS
Membership Growth
The Tea Leaf Club now has 957 members worldwide...up 7 from last week!
Help us reach our goal of 1,001 in 2001
Convention News
Convention Menus
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FRIDAY SNAK PAK
Petite Sandwich
Fresh Fruit
Cookie
(Beverages available from Cash Bar)
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LUNCHEON
Sliced Fresh Fruit Plate
Baked Lasagna
Green Beans
Garlic Bread
Lemon Cake
Coffee & Iced Tea
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BANQUET
Tossed Salad
Rolls & Butter
Grilled Chicken California
Wild Rice Pilaf
California Blend Vegetables
Carrot Cake
Coffee & Iced Tea
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IMPORTANT NOTE:
When you arrive at the Hotel the first thing you will notice is the very long stairway leading up to the lobby level. For those of you who are bringing lots of boxes of items for show and tell, the auction, the display, table sales, etc., please don't be intimidated! Take advantage of the hotel staff to direct you to the lower level entrance. I'll also encourage you to do as I do...let them be responsible for taking your boxes and delivering them to your room or other appropriate location. I'm definitely getting too old to carry that many heavy boxes and would much rather give a couple bucks to a porter to do it for me. Take a look, too, at the location of each event for which you are bringing boxes of Tea Leaf. For example, if you're bringing items to check in for the auction, think about leaving them in your car until auction check-in time. The lower level entrance is just steps from the auction check-in tables and you can save yourself lots of schlepping if you don't handle your heavy boxes any more than you absolutely have to. The hotel has options to help you so take advantage of their resources.
TEA LEAF PUZZLER
Anyone have any ideas for future Puzzlers?
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Anyone have any favorites to share?
SEEN ON 
WALLEY NIAGARA PRE-TEA LEAF
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Seller's Description
Edward Walley Niagara Shape Ironstone Tea leaf Lusterware Teapot
Beautiful Teapot/Coffee Pot in Excellent Condition. Edward Walley worked from 1845 to 1858. Clearly stamped and easily identifiable on bottom. There is some browning to the crazing as seen in the pictures and two small flakes, one on the end of the spout and one under the lid. Both are very small and unobtrusive. Pot stands approx. 10" tall with lid. Elegant addition to your collection or as a stand alone piece.
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WALLEY NIAGARA PRE-TEA LEAF
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Seller's Description
E. Walley Niagara Shape Ironstone Tea leaf Lusterware Mush Bowl
The Beautiful Tea leaf pattern is in Excellent condition with no Flaking. Edward Walley worked from 1845 to 1858. There are Two vertical hairlines on opposing sides of the bowl that are each approx. 3" long. Also there is some browning to the crazing and one 1/8" flake on the bottom rim. Bowl stands approx. 3-3/4" high and 5-1/4" across.
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WALLEY NIAGARA PRE-TEA LEAF
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Seller's Description
E. Walley Niagara Shape Ironstone Tea leaf Lusterware Handleless Cup & Saucer
LOVELY SET! Edward Walley worked from 1845 to 1858. Tea Leaf is in beautiful condition. Saucer is stamped with clear makers mark on bottom and saucer shows only light crazing. No chips, cracks or flakes. Nice addition for your collection.
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INTRODUCTIONS
No new profiles were received for this issue. If you'd like to submit a profile to share with other Tea Leaf OnLine participants, click on the "splash" below or email it to TLOL@aol.com.
LETTERS
Just at the very instant that I was emailing the announcement about last week's TLOL, Julie was sending a letter to share...so she gets the top spot this week...
Love those little red splashes. Makes my computer life so much easier.
Haven't been communicating much recently so here goes - hold on to your fingers and no skipping over.
Most memorable auction I've attended and many of you have heard about it - repeatedly - was at Conestoga several years ago. I arrived at an early hour and found three or four glass cases - floor to ceiling - filled with TL. I almost passed out right then and there. Fortunately I had brought along my Equity checks (thanks ML) and ended up mortgaging my house to pay my bill. Adams (old) master potty, child's Tobacco Leaf mug, and on an on. Not one other TL member there just a lot of disgruntled local dealers who were not willing to pay over what I did on the pieces that I wanted. I started out sitting on the 2nd row but got up and went to the back when my adrenaline got to really flowing. A great day and thank goodness my friend, Gloria W. who had first told me that she thought there were some children's cups to be there. They turned out to be posset cups three of them came home with me too. Gloria helped pack . I'd only brought one box and it took three to get it home.
Thanks Terrell for your concern about me and to everyone else who has been so thoughtful. I'll be in French Lick and yes, Dick, I'm driving with Mary. Or without her if something happens.
I really missed going to the New England Regional as I had planned on it but my live in keeper (Roxann who takes very good care of me) said no and I didn't want to make her any more anxious than she has been. If I had known that Carl and Ginger were coming, I could have met them here and gotten a ride. Wasn't meant to be.
About auctions and bidding wars, I think that mine with Max was interesting. At the Chadwick auction I paid $600 for that child's East End coffee pot but I was a little more determined than he. And I had driven 400 plus miles to Dale's to ride to Connersville with him and then 400 miles back from Columbus. That must be a record. Just couldn't do that again this time. I have a Vintage Beauty white ironstone syrup but it doesn't quite meet the record in price. Nice, though.
And speaking of Maxine's surprise, I once followed a dealer 40 miles to her home to look at a cabinet full of - TL? No, Autumn Leaf. Has everyone heard about Nancy U's reply to a dealer who called Autumn Leaf an antique. Nancy wrote that she didn't consider anything younger than she as an antique.
Dale, don't laugh at that "funky" living room. It looks just like mine only I have more Tea Leaf.
Thanks for being patient, everyone. I love you all.
Juliehoo!
Later in the day Julie wrote...
Guess I was typing up my comments while you were sending this weeks TLOL. Anyway, it'll be early for next week's.
I'd like to take home a mustache cup and it can be English or American but American would be better.
My Wilkinson washstand set has a hot water pitcher and I bought a Mayer hot water pitcher to go with my pitcher and bowl, shaving mug. The Wilkinson set is Sunburst and is complete except for a master potty. Bought the complete set at a show in DC and I was between jobs, unemployed. It was a good investment,
Juliehoo!
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Connie Barr checks in with...
I, sadly, will not be at the convention, but if I could be, my dream piece would be a covered piece of Tobacco Leaf. I would love a covered vegetable, or tureen, or indeed, anything Tobacco Leaf. Tobacco Leaf grows
on me, more and more, as the years go by.
I was able to attend the New England Regional at the Hanson's, and enjoyed it completely. Seeing their home, filled with Tea Leaf and variants, was a thrill in itself (and made it all the sadder to hear of the table disaster). Lunch was wonderful, and the creative and challenging games were great--but meeting the other attendees was the best. Carl Earl and Anne Ballantine stayed in our home--we so enjoyed our time with them. We hope they will come back and we would also welcome any other members who are in the Boston area.
Does anyone else get an email newsletter from Country Home magazine called "Let's Go Antiquing?" I just opened mine this week, and there is a paragraph about Tea Leaf, and what a useful website TLCI has...based on the comments of Mary Emmerling. The paragraph says she likes collecting Tea Leaf because of it's "rustic charm--and the fact that it's still reasonable priced and readily available." I wonder where she shops! I also wonder where she uses it...her homes have been featured in Country Home magazine and on her HGTV show, and I have seen lots of white ironstone, but never any tea leaf.
I will close now and take my kids for school supplies--hard to believe the summer is ending...Happy Labor Day.
Connie Barr
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Thanks from our Treasurer...
My request for assistance at auction check-out has been answered. I thank those who volunteered. See you all in French Lick.
Fran
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Dick Brackin is looking forward to the Convention...
At this point in time, I have not seen the auction catalog, so I do not know what might be available. There is always something, however, that I think that I absolutely cannot live without. I hope that there will be some Thomas Hughes piece(s) differing from what I have. Of course, I am still looking for a Boston Egg Cup. I am sure also that there are lots of creamers (perhaps one by Clementson like the one I did not win last week) as well as handleless cups and saucers out there which I do not have in my collection. Actually, I do not really know
what I have in my collection these days--there is an entire year's worth of accumulation in a corner of Dale's dining room which I have yet to see! In addition, not having seen the major portion of my collection for two and a half years now, and my memory not being what it once was.
In any event, I KNOW that the convention is going to be great fun! There will be something else to add to that corner full of treasures. I am hopeful that I am one of the ones whose registration was in time to be included (for certain) on the tour--I want to ride a steam locomotive one more time! I am really excited about that prospect--when I was in college sometimes we took the train (The Pennsylvania) between Columbus and either Scio or Denison and at that time it was still steam power!
I did not know that Don Upchurch has been ill. What a relief to know that he is "on the mend". I do hope that he will soon be back in his usual good health and will be able to be with us in French Lick. I just cannot imagine a convention without Don and Nancy being there. This will be a much quicker "get well" message than if I were to attempt to send it via snail mail (sometimes things NEVER arrive via that means!)
Dick
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We've had a couple letters regarding the question of hot water pitchers. Nancy writes...
Greetings Friends: Now that things have settled down a bit at home, it's time for me to send my contribution to the discussion of hot water jugs. I did tell Walt that I thought I had seen a Chinese hot water jug several years ago - but my memory isn't always accurate these days, so I may be incorrect. Here's my opinion regarding these jugs: I feel that as long as they've made wash sets, they have had some type of pitcher designated for hot water. To me, that's only logical. The question is, was a jug made specifically to go with a given wash set, or was one of the graduated jugs made by most potters used? As Mr. Godden told us, ceramic ware was not sold for one specific use, consumers used a particular piece for whatever purpose they desired.
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What characteristics were necessary for a jug to be used as a hot water vessel? It had to have a small neck, and be substantially smaller than the ewer since hot water had to be carried from the stove to the washstand. I'm sending a photo of a Burgess Chrysanthemum ewer and hot water pitcher. You will notice that the jug looks like a reduced-sized clone of the ewer. The ewer is 11.5" high; the hot water jug is 6.5" high or approximately 60% of the ewer size (actually, 57% but who's counting?).
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By the way, if the person who purchased my Chrysanthemum chamberpot a couple of years ago is reading this - I need it back! (It never fails - I sell a piece and then find the whole rest of the set!)
It's interesting to note that a reprint of an 1879 glass and china catalog lists the following as a Toilet Service: Ewer & Basin, Chamberpot, Soap Box, Brush Tray. It further states that "Extra pieces, such as Slop Jar, Foot Bath, Supply Jug, Cover to Chamberpot,. .." can be made to match any Service. In other words, not even the chamberpot lid was part of a standard service. I am assuming that the "Supply Jug" is what we refer to as the Hot Water Jug.
Of course, Burgess' Chrysanthemum is a late 19th c. body style. We know that Shaw made a hot water jug for his Basketweave body style, and many other potters also produced this type of piece for similar sets. Maybe these potters said "hey, here's a need, let's fill it - and make some more money".
Since my paragraph appeared in TLOL last week, we've received many calls and E-mails inquiring about Don's health. Thank you all so very much, we really appreciate it. To put the story in a nutshell, Don was rushed to the hospital in Asheville with a fever of 104.6 degrees. He was admitted, and hospitalized for five days while they tried to determine the cause of his illness. During this time he was mentally, physically and emotionally "out of it". I brought him home two weeks ago, discharge diagnosis was Meningo-Encephalitis, probably Viral. The first week at home was pretty rough but he is recovering nicely now - almost back to his old ornery self! So we will be at the convention, God willing and the creeks don't rise!
Looking forward to seeing all you wonderful folks in a couple of weeks!
Nancy Upchurch
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Bath set expert Betty writes...
In our experience we found hot water pitchers to be very scarce. We have a few with our sets or partial sets. I think that probably every bath set was made with a hot water pitcher but fewer of that item was purchased because it was not an essential part of the set, as most pieces were sold separately. They would be very easily broken.
We have been on the road since July 6 and will see everyone at French Lick.
Betty Burger
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And, finally, on this topic, white ironstone experts -- and convention presenters -- Bev & Ernie write...
What is a hot water pitcher? Is there a record of one in some old sales ad? Some late Victorian ads we've seen include sponge bowls. Has any ad included the master waste jar or the foot bath? Ellen Hill (in her Mulberry Ironstone book) says chamber sets sometimes include a small pitcher which might have been used for hot water. Whenever we have seen one included in a chamber set (at an auction or displayed in someone's collection) that "hot water pitcher" seemed to be just a medium to small sized table pitcher.
Table pitcher is the name Jean Wetherbee gave to all sizes between the creamers and the ewers. She suspects all were used in the kitchen and for serving beverages during meals at the table. We have thought that the hot water pitcher was just a table pitcher used to carry hot water to the chamber room. Not necessarily part of a set and yet usually part of the household service. We have never seen them listed as a part of the dinner sets. Yet we speculate that they were ordered as such. We have always been surprised when we see a new or different shape among the various graduated sizes of a body style in white ironstone pitchers. There are some that seem to be a shorter version of the ewer (narrow necked with an arched handle but with a very bulbous bottom) there is one by E&F in Ceres Shape that some say could be a hot water pitcher and others say its a child's size ewer and have seen it with a smaller basin! What ever those unusually proportioned medium sized pitchers are they are rare. Perhaps like Mr. Godden and Julie Rich say "It is called whatever you use it for" -- in this case, if you use it for hot water it is a Hot Water Pitcher.
Ernie Dieringer
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That's it for letters this week.
I went to the Apple Tree sale yesterday to try my hand at the Tea Leaf. There weren't any other Tea Leaf collectors in the bidding audience, but lots of absentee bids and I didn't come home with much. At least it was a nice day for a drive in the country. Did anyone go to the sale this weekend where the Shaw Spittoon was sold. Who bought it? What did it sell for?
There is only one more TLOL before the Convention. Please take time to send a contribution.
Dale
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Look for the email "splash" throughout this issue. Whenever you see it, you can click it to send a contribution to Tea Leaf OnLine.
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Publication Schedule |
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September 9 - Yes
September 16 - No
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September 20-23 CONVENTION!
September 23 -No
September 30 - Yes
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TEA LEAF ONLINE
August 26, 2001
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Look for the email "splash" throughout this issue.
Whenever you see it, you can click it to send a contribution to Tea Leaf OnLine.
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Maxine, Woody, Lee, Glen and Fran can use some help with their convention responsibilities. Read on and volunteer. It's your convention - help to make it great.TEA LEAF ONLINE MEMBER UPDATESWelcome new members...
Hope Blau Jacobs, Jeffersonville, IN Janet A & William R. Lee, Hillsdale, MI Email address changes...
None this week
Undeliverable email addresses...
These TLOLers have apparently changed email address and the ones we have on file no longer work:
Jane Elliott: Guy Motsinger: DISCUSSION TOPICCURRENT DISCUSSION TOPIC: CONVENTION WISH LIST
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Convention 2001 is less than a month away. There will be opportunities to purchase Tea Leaf on Friday evening, Saturday auction and Sunday table sales.
What is the one piece you would most like to come home
with from this convention?
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Have an opinion about this topic? Click below to send your TLOL contribution
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CLUB AND CONVENTION NEWSMembership Growth
The Tea Leaf Club now has 957 members worldwide...up 7 from last week!
Help us reach our goal of 1,001 in 2001
Convention News
Al and Glenda Sleeper are doing a great job of processing convention registration forms and I thought I'd give you some summaries. As of Friday, we have 244 Club members registered to attend - a very healthy number, especially considering that our registrations last year were down considerably.
The tour is overbooked and there is a waiting list. However, the convention committee is working hard to arrange additional transportation and squeeze more folks into the inn at lunch so it's likely we'll be able to accommodate almost everyone who has signed up.
Friday night's Lid Swap and Under-$40 sale now requires 30 tables with over 40 people participating. 25 collectors/dealers have signed up to sell at Sunday table sales and have reserved 47 tables which will be filled with Tea Leaf.
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Where can we still use help? Maxine needs more folks to participate in the Friday night Show and Tell. If you have an interesting piece of Tea Leaf, please contact Maxine and let her know you'll be willing to bring it. Woody, Lee and Glen still need more people to bring Gravy Boats for the Saturday afternoon display. Which of you doesn't have a gravy boat you could bring? Let the team know which boats you have in your collection and find out if you can fill up their gravy boat wish list. And, as you'll read later on in this TLOL, Fran Miller can use some help with Auction checkout.
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TEA LEAF PUZZLER Anyone have any ideas for future Puzzlers?
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK |
SEEN ON 
ALFRED MEAKIN FISHHOOK SOUP TUREEN
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Seller's Description
A BIG SHOWY PIECE! This Ironstone Tea Leaf Lustre Covered Soup Tureen BASE is 6 3/4 x 10 x 4 3/4" high. With the cover on it is about 7" high. It was made by Alfred Meakin. Condition of the base is good+ to very good. There are a couple of hairline cracks in the bottom, only one of which goes partially through. The rim is clean. There is an even light stained crazing throughout the inside. Condition of the lid is poor. It has been dropped and mended.
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CLEMENTSON TEABERRY COVERED VEG
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Seller's Description
7 3/4" Opening on this nice piece of English china. No wear, chips or dings. Gold in great condition. Lid is in good condition also.
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CLEMENTSON "MEDALLION" CREAMER
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Seller's Description
Excellent Condition. Circa 1850’s. This Knockout Copper Lustre Creamer is impressed CLEMENTSON under the foot ring and has an unusual early Victorian handle. The trunk of the creamer has embossed vertical ribs and impressed shields repeated around the trunk. The creamer is highlighted with generous amounts of copper lustre decoration. This Copper Lustre Trimmed Creamer would make a great addition to any Tea Leaf or Creamer Collection.
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INTRODUCTIONSNo new profiles were received for this issue. If you'd like to submit a profile to share with other Tea Leaf OnLine participants, click on the "splash" below or email it to TLOL@aol.com.
LETTERSDavid Kile files this report about the Great Northwest regional meeting...
Just to report in that on Saturday, August 18, we met in the Sky Lounge of Horizon House in Seattle, Washington.
There were five TLCI members present, Audrey Gruger of Seattle, Joy Bosworth of Portland , Oregon, Marcia Balleau and Annise Doring Heaivilin from Bellingham, Washington and David Kile, plus 5 guests. We spent the morning getting acquainted and sharing about our Tea Leaf collections, and then viewed the Variant Video by Bob Skinner. We really enlarged our knowledge about many new patterns we did not know existed. After a delicious lunch, we visited more, swapped the door prizes sent by Giftique, and agreed to meet next year on Saturday, August 17, 2002 at the home of Marcia Balleau, in Bellingham, Washington. That's it for this year!
David
[I spoke with David this week and he reports an accident similar to the one that Alan and Suzi reported last week. David purchased some new display cases recently and, last week, one of the glass shelves came loose and David lost a couple pieces from his wonderful Pinwheel collection. David also promised me that in a couple years when he retires, he'll finally get to a Tea Leaf convention. DA]
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Terrell & Phyllis have been on the road and report...
On Monday following the Stafford auction, we left for a seven day trip to Iowa to attend the National Graniteware Society Convention. The convention was a three day affair held at the Collins Plaza in Cedar Rapids! We had made earlier plans with Chris Weinbrenner to stop for a visit in Williamsburg. What a wonderful four hour visit it was! We now refer to her home as the NATIONAL TOBACCO LEAF IRONSTONE MUSEUM!! There were tons of other tea leaf to compliment her home which is filled with stoneware, country pine furniture and many other antiques too numerous to mention. With her decorating techniques, inside and outdoors, she should be on the front cover of Country Living magazine. The evening was topped off with dinner at son Mark's restaurant. And that to was wonderful. In all, our visit with Chris was the highlight of our Iowa trip. And we all appreciate Chris for who she is and ALL she does for the tea leaf club, a real blessing. Looking forward to seeing all of you in French Lick.
Terrell/Phyllis
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A cry of HELP from Fran Miller...
With less than a month till convention, I'm sure everyone is getting very excited. There is still lots of planning to be done and many arrangements to be made. I am in need of volunteers to assist with auction check-out. Those that had volunteered have had unexpected circumstances arise, which makes them unavailable to attend convention. Thanks.
Fran
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Dick Brackin is looking forward to another trip "home" for our convention...
I just read TLOL and need to respond to a couple of things.
First, I am quite anxious to see the Davenport Fig Union sauce boat as well as the Violet and Vine piece. Both of these are shapes that I have never seen.
Second, I am quite distressed because I lost the bid this morning on the Lustre Band Clementson creamer on eBay! I do not know what the ultimate bid was, but I was still trying to get ahead of it when the auction ended! That was a shape that I do not believe that I have ever seen before either. Even though it had no Tea Leaf motif, I would have liked to have had it for the unique shape.
Third, I could not see the photo of Marie's covered dish very well. It does look like a marriage to me, however, since the lid seems to be too large for the base. Yes, I do have two Shaw dishes which I do not believe ever had lids. They are identical. I believe, Dale that you got them for me either at an auction or at a show many years ago.
About auctions. One of the great disappointments of having been in Asia for the past two years is that I have missed what sound to me as two of the most exciting auctions of Tea Leaf for some time--the Chadwick auction and the Stafford auction. Dale did get me something (which I have yet to see) at the Chadwick auction, but I did not even ask anyone to bid on anything for me at the Stafford auction. I went with Gale Frederick to the Weinbrenner auction in 1998 and was deeply involved in that bidding frenzy. I made several purchases there, but the most memorable piece I took home is the botanical plate for which I paid what I think is an astronomical plate price! I went to that auction wanting to take home the Hughes waste bowl, but my adrenaline had not really reached fever pitch when it was sold relatively early on the Tea Leaf day, so I did not get it. Winning the botanical plate, however made up to some degree, the disappointment of losing the Hughes piece.
Like everyone else, I have driven half-way across the state when "30 pieces of Tea Leaf" have been listed only to discover that it is autumn leaf. When I was still in the States, I learned to call ahead if the auction was some distance from home. I suspect that I shall follow that pattern when I return. Actually, I have made many more purchases at the Convention (auction and table sales) than I ever have at estate auctions. One of the most memorable experiences, however was at an estate auction in Logan, Ohio many years ago from which I went home with my Burgess soup tureen with ladle. In those days I had not much money at all, and had pre-determined, however that I would bid up to $500, even though I have no idea how I would have covered the check. My friend, George Weckman was with me however, and as the bidding progressed, he whispered into my ear "Keep bidding, Dickie, I will cover you." Had I been standing, my knees would have gone out from under me, for they instantaneously had turned to rubber! As it happened, I did not have to bid nearly to my limit (beyond which I would have gone with George's encouragement). Fortunately, I have not been in that kind of
circumstance often.
Enough...I am so looking forward to being back in Ohio in a couple of weeks and in French Lick for the excitement of "Puttin' on the Ritz" with Tea Leaf and my Tea Leaf family.
Dick
[Dick, Regarding the Clementson creamer, I've put a photo of it in this issue under the "Seen on eBay" section. There is a photo of a cup and saucer in this style (see photo at right) in the Handbook, but it's not named and Nancy has it listed in the Rare and Unusual section as being called "A Puzzler". In fact, there have been other pieces of this body style on eBay which is where I got the creamer that I have in my own collection. It joined two cup and saucer sets that I bought almost 15 years ago at that year's convention Sunday morning table sales. In her Handbook description, Nancy notes that there are shield blanks on the cups and saucers. She surmises, "One explanation may be that the shield marks were available for advertising logos such as a hotel or restaurant name". That wouldn't surprise me, although I haven't ever seen a piece with such a logo or monogram. DA]
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Walt Stevens remarks and asks...
In last week's TLOL we mentioned that we were searching for a lid to a Maidenhair Fern chamber pot, a Chinese master chamber pot and a Chinese hot water pitcher. In an editorial comment, which we welcomed, Dale asked if we had any evidence of the existence of a Chinese hot water pitcher. The short answer is no.
Now the long answer. We assumed that if Shaw made bath sets in the Chinese shape he would have made a hot water pitcher in Chinese. In fact, we believed that we were in hot pursuit of one thanks to a tip from Julie. The hot water turned out to be a jug that matched 2 of other Chinese pitchers. We confirmed that it was a jug with Nancy. Nancy believed that she has seen a Chinese hot water pitcher many years ago and it resembled a Chinese ewer. That is our only experience with a Shaw Chinese hot water pitcher.
Now our question is: if Shaw did not make a hot water pitcher, why not? Secondly how many other bath set shapes are missing a hot water pitcher or other parts of a normal set? Is this a new topic or should we just
let Gene Burger answer?
In answer to Allen's question about the noise of a collapsing table filled with Tea Leaf, we suggest that it causes a huge groan wherever Tea Leaf is collected. And how could it happen to such nice people?. "We feel your pain".
Pat & Walt Stevens
PS When I print TLOL our messages have very strange line breaks. Does anyone else have this trouble with our messages? Perhaps we are hard keying in the wrong places.
WBS
[Walt, In my experience, most Tea Leaf bath sets don't have hot water pitchers. Chinese Shape was registered in 1856, as was Niagara, Lily-of-the-Valley and others. To my recollection, none of these early sets had hot water pitchers. I'd like Gene and Betty's expert advice on this question but hot water pitchers, in my experience, are the exception rather than the rule. DA]
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From Margaret Mitchell comes...
Hello from Dayton, Ohio: Sent in our reservations for French Lick, sent my check for my T shirt. So the Mitchells are all set. My first T shirt-- because the previous conventions were sold out before we got there. So decided to do it ahead of time this time. Because I love the "flapper design" on a white T shirt. Know I will wear it here in Dayton frequently.
As far as attending and participating in previous auctions, I have always felt that going to an auction was "a true adventure". Had good experiences and not too many bad experiences. It is the "fun of the chase", so to speak. A lot of times I bid by the "seat of my pants" and it turned out just fine. I'm not a big spender when it comes to antiques--Tea Leaf included-- because I enjoy little purchases just as much at expensive purchases. At my age I don't need another thing (family excepted) so if I don't get the item at an auction, there is another adventure another day. Maybe when you least expect it!!
I truly think I've enjoyed antiquing because of the different people I have encountered along the way. When we lived in Texas, California etc. it was an outlet to meet very nice people and learn about a community. People are the same the world over and even in a foreign country, you can communicate with them through "sign language" as long as you are pleasant and respectful. Those things NEVER CHANGE.
Sincerely, Margaret
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And, finally, a note from Nancy Upchurch. For those of you who don't know, Don has been ill for about a month and there has been some concern that he would not be fully recovered in time for convention. Nancy sends this update...
I'm happy to report that Don is making remarkable progress in his recovery. Considering that less than two weeks ago he was literally knocking on death's door, he is now up and around and champing at the bit to get back to his normal routine. He is still weak and tires very easily - but his attitude has improved from one of deep depression to one of impatience to get well. As of today, I would say "yes", we will be at the convention although I want to cut down on our activities, particularly the number of tables for Sunday sales. We're looking forward to seeing all of you in just a few weeks!
Nancy Upchurch
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That's it for letters this week.There were several auctions this week which advertised Tea Leaf...all too far from me here in Columbus to get to, although I did have some unsuccessful absentee bids in Indiana. Was a Tea Leaf OnLiner lucky enough to get the Panelled Grape Botanical coffeepot? What about the pitcher and bowl set in Ohio? If so, can you send pictures? Did YOU get to any of the sales and, if you did, would you please send an auction report? That's what keeps Tea Leaf OnLine interesting.
There will be Tea Leaf OnLine issues for the next two weekends (assuming we receive sufficient letters), and then nothing until after convention. Please take time to send a contribution.
Dale
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Look for the email "splash" throughout this issue. Whenever you see it, you can click it to send a contribution to Tea Leaf OnLine.
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Publication Schedule |
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September 2 - Yes
September 9 - Yes
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September 16 - No
September 20-23 CONVENTION!
September 23 -No
September 30 - Yes
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TEA LEAF ONLINE
August 19, 2001
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Look for the email "splash" throughout this issue.
Whenever you see it, you can click it to send a contribution to Tea Leaf OnLine.
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A new body style? You bet. Read on.
Maxine, Woody, Lee and Glen can use some help with their convention responsibilities. Read on and volunteer to bring gravy boats or items for rare and unusual. It's your convention - help to make it great.
Check out this wonder tableful of Copper Lustre with Pinstripes and Cobalt Plumes. Items are by various manufacturers on several different body styles. Can you spot Gothic shape? Quartered Rose? New York Shape?
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Copper Lustre with Pinstripes and Cobalt Plumes
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TEA LEAF ONLINE MEMBER UPDATESWelcome new members...
None this week
Email address changes...
O.E. Byerly reports a new email address Wayne & Maryhelen Chadwick also have a new email address Undeliverable email addresses...
None this week
DISCUSSION TOPICCURRENT DISCUSSION TOPIC: AUCTIONS
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Saturday, July 21, there was a big Tea Leaf auction in Connersville, IN. Let's share auction experiences. How do you learn of auctions? Do you make any special preparations for an auction? Where do you like to sit? What are your memories of some of the past big Tea Leaf auctions. Memories of other auctions that did not feature Tea Leaf but was included. Best memories? Worst memories? What is your estimate of the percentage of Tea Leaf you bought at auction. Have you ever been deceived at an auction? What is the furthest you ever traveled to get to an auction? Was it worth the trip?
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Have an opinion about this topic? Click below to send your TLOL contribution
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ONGOING TOPIC: INTRODUCTIONS
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Please write a brief paragraph introducing yourself to the Tea Leaf OnLine group. Items might include where you're from, when and why you started collecting, favorite Tea Leaf items, most wanted piece(s), best Tea Leaf
memories, etc. If you have a photo you'd like to include with your intro please feel free to forward it.
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Have an opinion about this topic? Click below to send your TLOL contribution
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CLUB AND CONVENTION NEWSMembership Growth
The Tea Leaf Club now has 950 members worldwide. Help us reach our goal of 1,001 in 2001
Convention News
Plans are being finalized for a great convention. Look for lots of details to come.
TEA LEAF PUZZLER Anyone have any ideas for future Puzzlers?
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
SEEN ON 
SHAW LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY RELISH
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Seller's Description
Tea Leaf Ironstone Relish Lily Valley Shaw NR
Up for auction is this interesting Tea Leaf Ironstone Relish Dish in the Lily of the Valley pattern by Anthony Shaw. He was the man who created the Tea Leaf pattern in the 1880s in England. The relish dish is in perfect condition and measures 9" long and 6" wide. The shape of this dish is in a leaf design and has the Lily of the Valley on the inside. The luster is perfect and looks as if it were done yesterday.
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SHAW LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY GRAVY BOAT
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Seller's Description
Tea Leaf Ironstone Gravy Lily Valley Shaw NR
Up for auction is this interesting Tea Leaf Ironstone Gravy Boat. It is in the Lily of the Valley pattern that was produced by Anthony Shaw who first developed the Tea Leaf pattern in the 1880s. The Gravy boat is in perfect condition and has the lily of the valley pattern on each side of the handle. The luster couldn't be better . It is as if it were made yesterday and measures 9" long and 5" high.
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RING O'HEARTS LUSTRE BAND CREAMER
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Seller's Description
1800S WHITE IRONSTONE CREAMER GOLD LUSTRE
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RING O'HEARTS LUSTRE BAND SUGAR
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Seller's Description
1800S WHITE IRONSTONE MASTER SUGAR GOLD LUSTRE DESIGN!
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INTRODUCTIONSNo new profiles were received for this issue.
LETTERSThe first letter, from Marie Campbell, asks...
Thanks for the photos of the Stafford auction. What a wonderful collection. I'd like some info, if anyone has it, on the Cable covered dish, next to final row of photos, on the right. Measurement? It has a lid that appears to fit over the base. Any resting lip on the base? I think the base I have is similar, and I've wondered if it ever had a lid. There is no lip at its edge.
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[Does the person who purchased this covered bowl participate in TLOL? Or, if not, do you have this piece in your own collection and can you respond to Marie's questions? Dick...don't you have a pair of these without lids? DA]
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More from the New England Regional meeting from Alan & Suzi...
Finally, we have the opportunity to report on our New England Regional gathering. Sixteen TLCI enthusiasts, the largest gathering in New England since we started attending six years ago, gathered at our Massachusetts home on June 30. Every state in the New England Region and Canada was represented. We finally got to meet Connie Barr and Carol and Bob White. Three days later, Suzi and I flew off to Mexico for three weeks. Therefore, our report has been delayed. So, we appreciated the photos and comments from the Dieringers.
Carl and Ginger drove up from Virginia on Thursday to help us prepare and to assist during the Regional. We appreciated their taking such a long drive on our behalf and would have been hard pressed to keep it all together without them. Saturday morning we greeted everyone by pinning the name of a Tea Leaf maker on everyone's back and assigned them the task of determining who they were by asking questions of everyone else. It made for a lively start and those who were successful qualified for a raffle later in the day. The rest of the morning was spent talking about Tea Leaf, the Club, recent finds, eBay, and the research that the Dieringers did in publishing their plate book.
Lunch was New England style, clam 'chowda' served in handleless cups, 'lobsta' rolls, salads, etc. Dessert was Danish shortbread cookies made with the Tea Leaf cookie stamp, and homemade ice cream - good planning as it was the hottest day of the summer. We followed lunch with 'sharing' special pieces (even some flow blue and mulberry showed up - courtesy of Ellen Hill). Kimmey Decker's Edge Malkin mustache cup was a big hit as was a new variant plate shown by Anne Ballantine and Carl Earl. John Meneghini had found a Lily-of-the-Valley shaving mug with a number on it. Connie brought a wonderful child's mug. Suzi showed the progress she has made on a hooked rug with pre-Tea Leaf and Reverse Teaberry motifs. And the rest of us shared stories.
We concluded with a Tea Leaf version of Pictionary (some great, creative artists in New England) and the raffle of items from the Giftique and from Suzi's handwork. Marvin and Deanna Perschbacher should have gotten the prize for most dedicated Tea Leafers. They flew from Ontario to Boston via Philadelphia, staying in Boston for several nights. But they did win the grand prize, a Tea Leaf apron and potholder. The day drew to a conclusion all too soon. We really enjoyed all the camaraderie and having an opportunity to share our collection.
We would like to share a new discussion topic. If a Tea Leaf laden table collapses when no one is home, doe it make any noise? Well, for those of you who collect Morning Glory, your pieces recently became more rare. We went on a training ride one evening and, on returning home, found that one of our tables had collapsed. On board at the time of the sinking was a Portland MG creamer, sugar bowl and mug as well as a Prairie shape Teaberry teapot. In eBay vernacular, "the shards are otherwise in mint condition."
Suzi & Allen
[Oh yikes, what a tragedy! But I loved your eBay reference. What other losses might other TLers have had? The food at your Regional sounds fantastic. And please tell us more about Tea Leaf Pictionary...sounds like fun. Is it something that others could use for their Regional meetings? DA]
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Pat Carlson attended the Stafford sale and knows the family. She writes...
I thought the Stafford auction went well and was very happy for Michelle and her husband have just bought a new house and they sure can us the money. I have known her for a long time before her and Matt were married and she has had to work hard for everything most of her life. It was good to see some old tea Leafers (and I don't mean age wise) Might be at the convention.
Pat Carlson
[Pat & Bill, It was great to see you again, too. Been a long time since you were able to be at a Convention and I hope you can join us this year. DA]
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Marie Compton writes about the Stafford auction as well as the Discussion Topic...
Michael is our auction spokesperson so I'll let him answer the auction question. I just have a couple of comments. I was thrilled to leave the Stafford auction with pieces we really liked. I was more thrilled to leave the auction NOT as the person(s) who bought the most expensive piece (thanks Dale). The first Tea Leaf auction I attended with Michael was the Weinbrenner auction in Iowa. I'm pretty sure we left there as the buyers of the most expensive piece -- the punch bowl. We still love that piece but I have to admit I was in shock for some time after that bidding frenzy.
I did want to let the Club know that I had my very first Tea Leaf dream the other night. I dreamt that Michael and I went to play and Tea Leaf was being used as part of the props -- a butter pat & cup plate as I recall (I'm happy with little things). Being very ill-mannered where Tea Leaf is concerned, we immediately interrupted the cast and asked if we could purchase these pieces. Another couple, also named Compton (must have been our evil twins), said that NO! they were interested in the pieces and, once again, we were in the middle of a bidding war. I don't remember anything else, except that we won the bid and went home with those two precious pieces (well, it was my dream!).
Can't wait to see you all in French Lick!!
Marie
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Terrell & Phyllis Medd also report on the Stafford sale...
Statistics from the Don Stafford auction, July 21, 2001, Connersville, IN.
As for the attendance, there were 51 registered bidders from 12 different states. There were also 12 states represented at the Chadwick auction in Nov. 2000. Two of this years states were different with Glenda/Al Sleeper coming from NY and club president, Denny Kear, coming from Texas. Sadly missed was Julie from Delaware and the Upchurch's from NC. We are all truly hoping Julie can make it to French Lick in Sept. Don/Nancy emailed their regrets for not being able to attend. It was good to see Ruth/Keith Wilcox from Iowa as they have had past illnesses to contend with, The Burgers from Florida, the Comptons from OK, Pat/Walt Stevens from MN, and the Johnson's from the KC area......all having QUITE a long distance to travel!!!!!
There were 385 lots sold. Prices ranged from $1.00 per lot up to $11,750.00. The Vintage Beauty Syrup commanded the top lot, the smallest lot in size was a single Teaberry Heavy Square butterpat selling for $170.00. The largest lot in size was a Wilkinson master waste jar with splash, this closed at $1600.00. A scarce teapot, sugar bowl,and creamer seemed to draw a lot of interest during inspection. These pieces were Ginger-Jar- Round. Few of us have seen this body style by Thomas Elsmore. The 385 lots were sold in 4 hrs. and 12 min.
Much "THANKS' goes to our quick paced bidders. Hopefully we were able to recruit a new member or two as there were attendees other than current club members. Phyllis and I would like to thank all who attended the Stafford auction. Your bidding and support made the auction a success. The late Mr. Staffords daughter, Michelle, was pleased with the auction over all.
Terrell/Phyllis
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Wow...check out these new Giftique items! Marie writes...
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The first two pictures are of this year's convention T-shirt. I think they came out grand. I don't usually wear T-shirts because the neckline bothers me, but I bought one this year because I love the logo.
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We still have plenty left for people to purchase at the very reasonable price of $14.00 a piece. Members can reserve one or more with their check. We will be happy to deliver them at convention. If someone still wants me to ship them out, the shipping costs are: 1-2, $3.50; 3-4, $4.50; 5+, $6.00. I'm mailing the previous orders I've had for them tomorrow.
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I've also included a picture of a new item. We're going to be offering lightweight jackets this year. They're white with the brown tea leaf-in-the-round logo. We'll be selling those for $24.00 each.
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Marie W. Compton
[Doesn't Marie come up with the neatest things? Hard to believe that she got us full-color tee shirts for what we used to pay for single color! DA]
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Gerald & Maxine also comment on auctions...
Latest topic: The most fun we ever had at an auction was Southwest of Chicago a few years ago. It was only advertised in a small local paper & some friends of ours informed us of it. We arrived at the sale early in the morning. It was a Fall day & you could see your breath in the frosty morning air & of course the sale was outside. We kept ourselves busy & warm until the auctioneer finally got to the wagon that held all the Tea Leaf. It seemed there were only a few people interested in it. The bidding began & Gerald bought it faster than I could wrap & pack it. We came home with many, many treasures & so did our friends.
Probably the most disappointed in an auction was when TL custard dishes were advertised. I just knew we were going to find TL Boston Egg Cups. When arriving at the auction site, we had to park in a pasture quite a distance from the merchandise. All the while we were tramping through the tall grass & trying not to step in holes and/or you know what, we were visualizing those Boston Egg Cups. As we approached the auction we soon found the so called TL custard cups. I guess you all know what it was. Yes, it was the yellow, orange & brown leaves with gold trim, JEWEL TEA. Our TL Boston Egg Cups quickly vanished. We spent much more time not sleeping in the non-air conditioned motel the night before than we did at the auction, in fact, it was a walk in & walk out. I think the furthest we ever drove to an auction was to Fort Wayne, In. It's around a 10 1/2 hour drive for us & yes, it was worth the trip.
Congratulations to Tinker & Lona on their marriage. Only 6 weeks before convention. Please send your coupon for rare & unusual to me. We would like to have several entries. Our total membership is now 950.
G & M
[Folks...I know Maxine would love to have more Show & Tell items. Please think about a piece you can bring and email Maxine to let her know what you'll be bringing. DA]
P.S. Maxine reports some strange eBay misnomers.
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Just for fun you might mention the following items on TLOL that were listed on ebay with the wrong description. #1262537364 ash trays which are butter pats & # 1262886676 mug which is a toothbrush holder.
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Margaret, too, shares auction tales...
The topic of auctions is an interesting one and I am sure most of us have some stories to share. I think the pictures posted of the Stafford auction just about tell it all--the intent looks of so many of the buyers, the
hard-working auctioneer trying to wring out that last dollar, the bored-looking ring person--but specifically, I would have to caption some of the pictures like this:"How can Annalea look so serious holding up that
GREAT ladle?" (Was she saying to herself "Don't drop this" or "Don't squeeze too tightly"?) And then, there is Sam--hand on hip and disgusted look on face--somebody must have beaten him out on a good bargain. Annalea, Fonis, and Gerald with their heads together--"Up to no good." Notice Marie smiling and Mike looking very thoughtful? "Marie just got her heart's desire and Mike will have to pay for it." Finally, the 3 guys from Iowa--it is always fun to deliver a purchase to them--they always look so delighted and say "Thank you."
This was a very interesting auction--the Vintage Beauty bidding took everyone's breath away--and there were some bargains and some non-bargains.Terrell did an outstanding job, both of sequencing and noting damage on the catalog sheet and of the actual selling. We were finished in record time and everything was cleaned up and we were out of there before 4PM. If you wanted to bid, you best do it and not stop to think about it. Everything moved fast and there was no time to get bored. Our ring crew was great--there was never a wait for the next item and this helped speed things up. Of course Phyllis worked as hard as Terrell, just in a different
way, and we so often overlook that important job. All in all, it was a good day and an excellent auction. I personally took home a "few" things.
As for other auctions--my most memorable was the Weinbrenner auction. It was the greatest collection of quality tea leaf that I have ever seen assembled in one place. The best memories were: the joy of just seeing and holding so many wonderful pieces, the cooperation of so many volunteers to make this happen, and the happiness on the faces of the lucky purchasers. The worst memories were: the reason for the sale, my tired feet, and the fact that I did not buy so much as one piece of tea leaf.
I usually learn of auctions in publications or word of mouth and the only preparation is to pack plenty of boxes and paper, a lot of high hopes, and as much money as I can find loose. I like to sit on an aisle and near the
back as long as I have had time to inspect it first.
The big auctions --Weinbrenner, Chadwick, Stafford, some in IL and IA, are the only ones featuring tea leaf that I have attended. The Chadwick auction had many unusual pieces and variants as Tom did a lot of research
and it was very special for many reasons--mostly the feeling that when you picked up a piece you were reminded of why this was purchased in the first place and happy that it was going to another good Tea Leaf home. One of the best memories of all of these is seeing all the fellow TLCI members.
I have not been to many auctions where I picked up fantastic buys like many of you and only about 2% of my tea leaf comes from outside auctions. I once bought a waste bowl that had a black tea leaf--looked real, felt under the glaze, had a Meakin mark--but the "glaze" and the black tea leaf did not survive the first good washing.
I have only traveled about 250 miles one way to attend an auction and it was a toss up as to whether it was worth it. I can see and buy more tea leaf at the Convention that I will see at a hundred auctions and have a
great time in the bargain.
When Chris and I did our "Sublime to Ridiculous" program at Nancy's and discussed price, I said my most expensive saucer cost $64. Of course Chris was astonished and said"You paid $64 for a saucer?" I said actually I did not, but that is what I figure it cost. Jim Cheak could probably tell you about his worst auction and it would be where he drove 200 (round trip) miles because tea leaf was advertised, only to find that there was one saucer. He bought the saucer(a fuschia one) for $1 and gave it to me. Now figure his mileage at 31.5 at that time--$63.00 plus $1.00 and you have my $64 saucer.
I am anxious to hear everyone's auction experiences and hope there will be many, but even more, I hope to see all of you at the REAL auction in French Lick. It is not too late to register--yep, you have missed the early bird
registration, but the Convention would be a bargain at twice the price.
See you there!
Margaret
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And from Walt and Pat come more auction tales...
One of our biggest Tea Leaf auctions was Carl Weinbrenner’s in Cedar Rapids, July 1998. It was well attended by Tea Leafers and the competition was fierce. There were some the highest prices we have seen
Tea Leaf. Maybe it was the heat, the chance to help Carl or just Terrell's canny ability to get one more bid. Terrell worked without relief for the 2 day auction. Maybe he can share with TLOL his impressions about this auction. We remember it was very, very hot and we were carried away bidding for the pieces of Shaw Chinese bath set. Bought most of it but still are missing the hot water and master chamber. (Most everyone is missing these pieces in any shape.) Some of the higher priced items were: 4 piece Chinese sauce tureen-$2100,
pedestal punch bowl -$2000, Teaberry egg cup-$1000, New York creamer- $875 Elegance coffee pot-$750. For some reason child's sets didn't command the high prices. There were 2 Mellor, Taylor 4 piece sets, one
sold for $520 the other $350.
Perhaps Terrell thought Iowa in July was too hot so the next big auction (Carol Chadwick's) was held in Connersville in November of last year. There was a profusion of very interesting pieces. Lots of Tobacco
Leaf, several pieces of Maidenhair Fern, complete Cable bath set. Highest priced pieces were: Shaving mug with a Cinquefoil motif-$1050, Heavy Square ewer-$1000, Reverse Teaberry sugar-$925, Hanging Leaves
coffee pot-$900 and a Maidenhair Fern mug-$800. Overall I would say that the prices were less than the Cedar Rapids auction. Of note, were 4 piece sauce tureens (they included ladles)? There were 8 in auction none went for more that $550 and the average price was $415. A Furnival Cable hot water pitcher sold for $675. We made several successful bids adding to our Maidenhair Fern collection. We now have 4 of the 5 matching pitchers. One got away. We also added to a Maidenhair Fern bath set. Still have a way to go to match the Johnsons. Does anyone have a lid to a Maidenhair Fern chamber pot?
Connersville was again the scene of a big auction just last month. Not everyone there was a member of the club A woman called me last Sunday about the Convention. She has collected Tea Leaf for over 30 years but
had not heard of the Club. She said that she had never met such friendly people as she had at this auction. Immediately after it she and her sister joined the Club and are attending the Convention. The featured item in the auction was Shaw Vintage Beauty syrup. A bidding duel reminiscent of many movie scenes ensued when the item came up for sale. The entire audience including kitchen help watched, as 2 bidders never wavered as the price mounted. Last bid was nearly $12,000. The rest of the auction paled in comparison: Wilkinson master chamber pot-$1600, Maidenhair Fern ewer & bowl-$1000, Livesley Powell Prairie covered vegetable- $975, Shaw Cable soup tureen-$975. Many of the pieces at the auction had been professionally restored by an excellent craftsman. Even after close examination the repairs were undetected. However, it appeared that if a piece had been restored its value was significantly diminished.
We were quite happy with our buys including 2 creamers (Chinese and Niagara), a Maidenhair Fern cake plate, a Brocade cake plate and a couple of other pieces. I know many other TLOLers attended these auctions and hope to read about their impressions and memories.
Walt Stevens
[Walt, You mention above that you are missing the Chinese Shape hot water pitcher and master slop jar. While I do think the slop jar exists and is what we refer to as the large/master cuspidor, I don't believe there is such a thing as a Chinese hot water pitcher. Do you have some evidence that there is such an item? DA]
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And finally, from the Home of Compulsive Behavior...
Greetings from the home of compulsive behavior. It seems time is flying too fast, convention is coming faster and faster! We have some great gravy boats promised for our display, but could still find room for more. So far we don't have a Fig Cousin, Niagara or examples of variants (other than Teaberry New York). If you've thought about bringing gravy boats for our display but haven't contacted us yet there's still time.
Everyone who has already contacted us should be hearing from us either by mail or email next week with a list of the boats offered that we will want you to bring. The response for our display has been great and we want to
take this early opportunity to thank all of those who have volunteered to help make this a success.
On another note, we had some tea leaf luck this week, at the Iowa State Fair of all places. In Pioneer Hall they have a small antique show, usually bottles, depression glass and kind of "flea markety" stuff. Among all the
"stuff" we found a Mellor Taylor Heart gravy boat and a very pretty sugar bowl and lid in a shape I didn't recognize. The bowl had a very rich lustre decoration. Even though the sugar bowl wasn't exactly a bargain (with a handle flaw) I had to have it. With the help of my Tea Leaf Handbook I have identified it as Violet and Vine, the registry mark on the bottom dates it to 1870 if I've decoded it properly. It just goes to show, you never know where your next tea leaf fix is coming from.
We hope to hear from some more folks who would like to bring boats to French Lick.
Woody, Lee and Glen
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Bev & Ernie report a new body style decorated with copper lustre...Fig (Union) Shape by Davenport.
DAVENPORT FIG (UNION) SHAPE
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 < Registered 1856
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Will it be in the Gravy Boat convention display? You bet!
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That's it for letters this week.Thought I'd offer my own 2-cents worth on the discussion topic. Over the years I've been to many wonderful Tea Leaf auctions -- mostly at our own conventions. For example, I'd always wanted to have a piece of Medallion Scroll in my collection and last year I was able to purchase TWO - one Teaberry and one Coral. What a treat. For some other major Tea Leaf sales, I was there by proxy as opposed to in person. In Keosauqua, Pat Stoolman had my bid on the original Vintage Beauty syrup pitcher. I also couldn't attend the Weinbrenner auction but Gale Frederick had my checkbook and spent several thousand dollars on pieces I wanted. Maxine shared her frustration on a previous letter of driving many miles only to discover Jewel Tea instead of Tea Leaf and I can share her frustration, having been disappointed the same way on several occasions. I'd say less than half of my collection comes from auction purchases.
Did you see this interesting eBay listing a couple weeks ago? Quite a blast from the past!
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Volume 1 of THE PRACTICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF GOOD DECOR- ATING AND HOME IMPROVEMENT, 1971, Greystone Press, 192 pages, 8" x 10", hardcover with dust jacket , very good condition (date "Nov 1972" written in the front end papers).
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Loaded with four color photographs of very 1960's decor....Austin Powers would feel at home here. Color schemes and accessories are really pretty wild. If you're into green flocked walls, rugs made out of gluing together bright multi-colored carpet samples, red and black plaid walls with red sofas with bright blue pillows, purple walls accented with lime green chairs, etc., this book is definitely for you. To others, it's a hoot and great for use in decorating your home for that next '60s party....either that or for the student of what home decorating was like in the era of "be sure to wear some flowers in your hair." For serious "I must have everything" tea leaf ironstone collectors, the color photo (almost full page) on page 69 shows a table set with Tea Leaf teapot, cups and saucers, and plates....across from a kitchen with lime green walls!
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There will be Tea Leaf OnLine issues for the next four weekends (assuming we receive sufficient letters), and then nothing until after convention. Please take time to send a contribution.
Dale
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Look for the email "splash" throughout this issue. Whenever you see it, you can click it to send a contribution to Tea Leaf OnLine.
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Publication Schedule |
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August 19 - Yes
August 26 - Yes
September 2 - Yes
September 9 - Yes
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September 16 - No
September 20-23 CONVENTION!
September 23 -No
September 30 - Yes
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TEA LEAF ONLINE
August 5, 2001
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Look for the email "splash" throughout this issue.
Whenever you see it, you can click it to send a contribution to Tea Leaf OnLine.
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Convention 2001 is getting near and it looks like our registration numbers will be strong. I spoke with the Hotel this week and they only have a few rooms left in our block so if you haven't called in your room reservation, please do so quickly. The Hotel's reservation phone number is 800-457-4042.As promised last TLOL, this issue will include some photos from the Stafford auction. Below are faces from the sale, at the end of this TLOL are pictures of some of the wonderful Tea Leaf.
Faces from the Stafford Auction
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TEA LEAF ONLINE MEMBER UPDATESWelcome new members...
Nancy Morris, Muncie, In. Guy Motsinger & Cookie Berthelot (Louisiana) A. Lee & Evelyn C. Campbell (Indiana) Email address changes...
Marie Campbell has a new email address Carol Chadwick reports a new email address as well as a new phone number Undeliverable email addresses...
None this weekDISCUSSION TOPICCURRENT DISCUSSION TOPIC: AUCTIONS
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Another interesting topic from Walt and Pat:
Saturday, July 21, there was a big Tea Leaf auction in Connersville, IN. Let's share auction experiences. How do you learn of auctions? Do you make any special preparations for an auction? Where do you like to sit? What are your memories of some of the past big Tea Leaf auctions. Memories of other auctions that did not feature Tea Leaf but was included. Best memories? Worst memories? What is your estimate of the percentage of Tea Leaf you bought at auction. Have you ever been deceived at an auction? What is the furthest you ever traveled to get to an auction? Was it worth the trip?
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Have an opinion about this topic? Click below to send your TLOL contribution
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ONGOING TOPIC: INTRODUCTIONS
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Please write a brief paragraph introducing yourself to the Tea Leaf OnLine group. Items might include where you're from, when and why you started collecting, favorite Tea Leaf items, most wanted piece(s), best Tea Leaf
memories, etc. If you have a photo you'd like to include with your intro please feel free to forward it.
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Have an opinion about this topic? Click below to send your TLOL contribution
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CLUB AND CONVENTION NEWSMembership Growth
The Tea Leaf Club now has 946 members worldwide. Help us reach our goal of 1,001 in 2001
Convention News
Plans are being finalized for a great convention. Look for lots of details to come.
TEA LEAF PUZZLER Anyone have any ideas for future Puzzlers?
WEBSITE OF THE WEEKA-Z Pottery Terms: http://www.astbury.demon.co.uk/dicdtl.htm
SEEN ON 
DALLAS SHAPE WASTE BOWL
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Seller's Description
Here is a great early Ironstone copper lustre pudding bowl or mixing bowl. It is like the Ironstone Tea leaf bowls you see. This one measures 6" across and is 4" tall. It has a noce Copper Lustre trim around the bowl and a single ring inside the bowl. There is no chips or cracks but it does have some wear to the edges and some stains and scratches in the base of the bowl from years of stirring. I would say it dates to 1880 -1910.It is unmarked as to the maker but it probably English
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CUMBOW PFALTZGRAFF CREAMER
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Seller's Description
Cumbow Tea Leaf Creamer Pfaltzgraff Heritage pretty much says it all about this cream pitcher. The pattern, tea leaf, and the Cumbow mark on the bottom are in COPPER LUSTER. The Pfaltzgraff mark seems to be an older mark with the number 134. The second mark is Cumbow Pat. No. 187996. It is in excellent condition.
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CUMBOW PFALTZGRAFF SUGAR BOWL
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Seller's Description
Cumbow Tea Leaf Sugar Pfaltzgraff Heritage pretty much says it all about this sugar dish bowl. The pattern, tea leaf, and the Cumbow mark on the bottom are in COPPER LUSTER. The Pfaltzgraff mark has the castle. The second mark is Cumbow Pat. No. 187996. It is in excellent condition but has manufacturing flaws: The lid is slightly ill fitting because the inner rim of the bowl is narrower than normal, and when Cumbow was hand painting the design, a brush left three tiny marks on the outer rim. And, it seems the painter forgot to paint on the bottom ring of copper luster - that's part of the beauty of hand painted items.
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ANTHONY SHAW L-O-V (?) LADLE
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Seller's Description
THE LADLE IS 7 1/8" LONG AND HAS A 2.75" BOWL.IT HAS NO MARK BUT I BELIEVE IT TO BE SHAW.IT HAS MINOR DISCOLORATION, OTHERWISE IT'S MINT.
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INTRODUCTIONSNo new profiles were received for this issue.
LETTERSNot many letters this week. Suspect that many of us are on vacation.
Alma Gerbitz wrote to invite all to the September 8 Regional Meeting...
It's been ten years since I had the first Rocky Mtn. Regional Luncheon and now will have another
September 8th. We find we have new members and hope all will attend. Our program will be some of the members showing their quilts and then we will go to the Church Antiques which is a few blocks from here. We will also have tea leaf to sell and hope our guests bring some also. Will be sending the invitations in August.
Sincerely,
Alma B. Gerbitz and Nancy Gunter
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Dick wrote from Hong Kong...
Just a brief note. Yesterday the Chrismans and I had lunch together at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Central Hong Kong...yes there is at least ONE PIECE of Tea Leaf in Asia! Unless our cameras were on the fritz, we will
have photographs to prove it! The Chrismans are just at the tail end of their "Grand Tour" of China and will be returning to Singapore this afternoon. It was good to see them and to chat, though briefly. We will be looking forward to sharing pictures when we all get to French Lick.
Weather report. After weeks of rain nearly daily, we have had two days of sunshine and it looks as though today also will be sunny. I am coming out of my annual February depression which this year began in June! :-)
Dick
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For those of you who ordered Convention Tee Shirts, Marie writes...
I just want everyone to know that the T-shirts should be in around mid-August. Anyone who has sent in their order and requested that the shirts be shipped to them should receive them around the 3rd week in August. Thanks for everyone's patience.
Marie W. Compton
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Walt & Pat sent a response to the Discussion Topic...
As we have mentioned before, we really could not call ourselves Tea Leaf collectors until we joined the club in 1990. Since then we have attended several auctions that featured Tea Leaf. The first was in Keosauqua, Iowa. We left Austin about 3:00 AM to get to the auction at 9:00. Weren't acquainted with too many members of the club but do remember Pat Stoolman bidding on a little syrup pitcher. Believe it sold for around $3,500. It was the highest priced item at the auction and rumor has it that Pat was bidding for someone else. We bought an
Adams egg cup for $80, a Boston egg cup for $60 and a scalloped bone dish for $70.
For us, the next big Tea leaf auction was July 97, in David City Nebraska. By now, thanks to the conventions, we knew most of the people there and split our time between visiting and bidding. Tom Chadwick drove from New Mexico to attend. The Johnson's helped setting up. The item that we remember most was a hot water pitcher purchased by Sam & Fran Miller. We were successful bidders on only one item, a Chelsea relish or under tray by Meakin. The winning bid was $40 but if you factor in the cost of overnight lodgings, gas and wear on the car it is one of our more expensive pieces. What saved the trip was finding and buying several pieces of Tea Leaf on the way.
From these two experiences you can see why we are firm believers in attending the Convention if we want to buy Tea Leaf. We have left in the middle of the night, driven hundred of miles, paid motel bills for just a couple of pieces. When we go a Tea Leaf Convention we know that we can always find 3 or 4 good pieces at the auction or at table sales.
This message is getting too long. We will save some of our other auction experiences for another message. Look forward to hearing from others who may have attended these auctions.
Pat & Walt
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Can someone help Dawn?...
I wanted to know if anyone knew how to get from the airport in Louisville to the French Lick resort without having to rent a car. Perhaps someone would like to share a taxi or limousine ride with me. I will be arriving on Thursday, September 20 at 3:36pm on u s airways flight 1912. If you can help me with this, I would certainly appreciate it. I am really looking forward to my first Tea Leaf convention.
Sincerely,
Dawn Burns
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That's it for letters this week.More Stafford auction photos follow.
A Selection of Tea Leaf from the Stafford Auction
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My own big purchase of the day was the tall Shaw Vintage Beauty syrup pitcher. I already owned the shorter pitcher, purchased years ago at the Keosaqua sale mentioned by Walt earlier in this TLOL. Quite a pair, isn't it?
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7 5/8" to spout; 5 3/8" to spout
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Are there more body styles to be discovered? You bet. See the next TLOL for a surprise find.
There will not be a Tea Leaf OnLine next week as we are taking our 6-year old Abby to New York for the weekend. Watch for the next TLOL in two weeks. Please take time to send a contribution.
Dale
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Look for the email "splash" throughout this issue. Whenever you see it, you can click it to send a contribution to Tea Leaf OnLine.
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Publication Schedule |
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August 5 - Yes
August 12 - No
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August 19 - Yes
August 26 - Yes
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TEA LEAF ONLINE
July 23, 2001
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Look for the email "splash" throughout this issue.
Whenever you see it, you can click it to send a contribution to Tea Leaf OnLine.
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The Stafford sale this weekend was a great time for all and I think everyone came home with some treasures. So far, only Maxine and Gerald have written about the sale (see their letter below) so I'll hold off coverage until next Tea Leaf OnLine. For those who attended and for those who missed the auction, please take a look at the new thought-provoking Discussion Topic.
Wedding Bells rang for a couple of Tea Leafers (see their letter below). And, they are planning to honeymoon at the September Convention -- I think this is a first!
Tea Leaf collection for sale in Cincinnati...more info later in this issue.
TEA LEAF ONLINE MEMBER UPDATES
Welcome new members...
Bill & Norma Every, club members since 1984, join us from Michigan Email address changes...
Wayne & Maryhelen Chadwick have a new email address Undeliverable email addresses...
Anita & Ken Adams were added to the mailing list last week but the address we got from their membership form is incorrect. Will re-add them if we get a better email.DISCUSSION TOPICCURRENT DISCUSSION TOPIC: AUCTIONS
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Another interesting topic from Walt and Pat:
Last Saturday, July 21, there was a big Tea Leaf auction in Connersville, IN. Let's share auction experiences. How do you learn of auctions? Do you make any special preparations for an auction? Where do you like to sit? What are your memories of some of the past big Tea Leaf auctions. Memories of other auctions that did not feature Tea Leaf but was included. Best memories? Worst memories? What is your estimate of the percentage of Tea Leaf you bought at auction. Have you ever been deceived at an auction? What is the furthest you ever traveled to get to an auction? Was it worth the trip?
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Have an opinion about this topic? Click below to send your TLOL contribution
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ONGOING TOPIC: INTRODUCTIONS
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Please write a brief paragraph introducing yourself to the Tea Leaf OnLine group. Items might include where you're from, when and why you started collecting, favorite Tea Leaf items, most wanted piece(s), best Tea Leaf
memories, etc. If you have a photo you'd like to include with your intro please feel free to forward it.
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Have an opinion about this topic? Click below to send your TLOL contribution
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CLUB AND CONVENTION NEWSMembership Growth
The Tea Leaf Club now has 942 members worldwide. Help us reach our goal of 1,001 in 2001
Education Committee Notes
Deadline approaching for Ladle Research Project. See Nancy's letter below.
Convention News
From Publicity Chair Linda Slates...
CONVENTION PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tea Leaf Club International, a group dedicated to the collection of copper lustre decorated white ironstone, has chosen a historic resort with all the amenities of the new millennium as the site of its 2001 convention September 20 through 23, 2001.
Site of the convention is French Lick Springs Resort , French Lick, IN, a place frequented by the elite of politics and society in the first half of the 20th century. Located 108 miles south of Indianapolis, it is set on 2,600 acres in the heart of the Hoosier National Forest. There are mineral water springs, a gazebo, sweeping verandahs and gardens and a wide variety of recreational facilities.
TLCI will take advantage of the luxury setting by using the theme “Putting on the Ritz” for its 22nd annual convention. Nearly 300 of the club's over 900 members are expected to attend.
Convention Chair Wally Stevens (MN) describes the convention as an opportunity to buy and sell Tea Leaf, to learn about Tea Leaf, and to meet members from all over the United States and Canada.
The event starts informally on the evening of Thursday, September 20, 2001, with a gathering on the hotel verandah.
On Friday, September 21, 2001, the convention schedule includes an optional tour. The tour will include a train ride into the Hoosier National Forest, and stops at the Indiana Railway Museum, West Baden Springs (a national historic landmark), and Beechwood Inn, the former mansion of Charles Ed Ballard, an entertainment magnate of the early 1900’s.
Friday evening will be the first of the convention's buying-and-selling opportunities, the “Ritz Blitz Sale. ” Members rent table space and sell items priced from $1 to $40. At the same time, there will be a lid & bottom swap.
Also Friday night is one of the education sessions. The program is called “Rare and Unusual” and is a chance for members to show off their rare finds or to have pieces identified by more experienced collectors. There will also be a meeting of the members who subscribe to and participate in Tea Leaf On Line.
Saturday morning and afternoon are dedicated to educational programs. The first program will be ”Building a Reference Book on Ironstone” by members Bev and Ernie Derringer (CT). They will chronicle their study of the British manufactures of ironstone plates from 1840 to 1890. The end result of their study was the publication of the book White Ironstone China. The husband and wife team are artists, both having attended the Art Institute of Chicago, and antique dealers. They are founding members of the White Ironstone China Association and editors of White Ironstone Notes, the Association's newsletter. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and autographing.
John Chrisman (FL) is preparing the second educational program, “Glorious Gravies.” He is collecting stories and pictures from members of the of the gravy boats in their collections. Afterwards, there will be a “Glorious Gravies Exhibit.”
Consignments are already being received for the most serious of the buying opportunities at the convention, the annual dinner auction, this year called “The Greatest Tea Leaf Show on Earth.” A professional auctioneer and TLCI member, Terrell Medd, will again conduct the auction of approximately 250 quality lots. Each lot must have the potential for selling for over $40. Consignments are accepted in advance so that an auction guide, including photos of many items, can be produced.
Closing event is Sunday morning table sales. Members rent 8-foot tables for sale of tea leaf and related items only.
Part of the convention activities on Saturday, September 22, 2001, is a business meeting and the election officers. The slate of officers for 2001-2002 is: President, Walt Stevens (MN); Vice President, John Chrisman (FL); Treasurer, Fran Miller (MO); Recording Secretary, Mae Jean Gilger (TX); Corresponding Secretary, Mike Compton (OK); Julie Rich, board member; Nancy Upchurch (NC); John Meneghini (MA), board member, and Dale Abrams (OH), board member. Dennis Kear (TX) is retiring as president.
Deadline for reservations for the convention is August 15, 2001. All convention activities are open to members only. For membership information, contact Maxine Johnson, PO Box 377, Belton, MO 64012 or visit www.tealeafclub.com .
Purpose of TLCI is to share information about the white ironstone china decorated with copper lustre in Tea Leaf and a variety of additional motifs. Tea Leaf was produced originally in England starting in 1856 and in the United States starting around the turn of the century. Last year it was named one of the top 10 collectibles by Country Home magazine.
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TEA LEAF PUZZLER No replies were received to the question about the Wedgwood gold lustre sauce tureen. Anyone have any ideas for future Puzzlers?
Well...here's a puzzler. Nancy wrote to ask if I'd seen the 6 3/4 inch Burgess bread plate with a starting bid of $100!!! Item # 1449268524.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEKI've highlighted this website before, but several TLOLers have recently written to me that they've "discovered" this site and I want to be sure you've all got it bookmarked. It's a very interesting and valuable resource.
SEEN ON 
MEAKIN CHELSEA COFFEEPOT
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Seller's Description
I have for auction a wonderful Tea Leaf Coffee Pot. Stamped on bottom: Royal Ironstone Chine Alfred Meakin, England. With two little hand painted type lines. The lid is incised: 20. This coffee pot is in the Chelsea style. Measuring approx. 8-1/2" high to top of finial. Copper lustre is hand applied and in excellent condition. Coffee Pot in excellent condition with NO nicks or chips. There is crazing evident throughout piece.
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MEAKIN BROCADE SERVING BOWL
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Seller's Description
Unique Staffordshire Tea Leaf Alfred Meakin, Serving/ Potato Bowl. Measures 7 1/4" across and 2 3/4" deep. The lustre and glaze is in fantastic condition. There are glaze pops in bottom. Nice embossed pattern with four panels. The rim appears to be not exactly round and not scalloped, but a circle composed of many straight edges. Hope that helps. No Reserve!
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MELLOR TAYLOR CHILD'S CREAMER
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Seller's Description
Up for auction I bring you an old tea leaf irons tone creamer made by the Mellor, Taylor & Co. of Burslem, Staffordshire, England. This little creamer was produced during the 1890's. It measures 4 inches to the top of the handle. I think it may be possible that this could be part of a children's set. There are no chips or cracks. But some of the gold plating is worn & in the bottom of the pitcher there is a scratch, it is NOT a crack. Charming piece to add to your collection.
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WALLEY SCALLOP GRAPE OCTAGON COFFEEPOT
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Seller's Description
This 1850's Edward Walley, copper luster scalloped design, is shown in Jean Wetherbee's book on page 152 and listed as "hard to find". The mold is the panelled grape shape. It is 9" high and 9" from spout to handle. The condition is good no chips, stains or hairlines. There is a tiny repair at the lip which is hard to see. Also, a small repair at the lid rim, neither detract from this wonderful piece. I have set a very reasonable reserve. A very unusual find for tea leaf ironstone collectors! Thanks for bidding!
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CORRECTION: Regarding one of the photo captions I wrote last week, Bev sends this correction "I just wanted to mention that the 'Sydenham' vegetable in you're as seen on eBay' section, was obviously Grape Octagon, and not only that but it was probably potted by Barrow & Co. because of the distinctive finial. The upcoming fall issue of White Ironstone Notes focuses on the grape shapes and will be mailed around September 15th.
INTRODUCTIONSNo new profiles were received for this issue.
LETTERSFrom Margaret Mitchell...
Just a note to say how sorry I am that I cannot attend the auction next weekend in Indiana. Have to go to Atlanta and housesit for our grandchildren (they are too old to babysit) while our daughter and her husband go to Ireland on a bicycle trip in the Western part of the country. Kathy spent her Junior year in college at Cork, Ireland and wants to show her husband the area that she enjoyed so much. Will try to look for Tea Leaf in Atlanta, but the traffic bothers me so much that I doubt that I will venture too far from their home in Roswell.
Missed the Martha Stewart segment on Ironstone because of the Wimboldon tennis. It was on an hour earlier in the Cincinnati area and my friend, Tina Lotz, called to tell me about it. She just got the "tailend" of the show, but what she saw --she enjoyed. Hope they replay it in the future.
Glad you had a good time in Paris, Dale. Whenever I have gone abroad I'm always on the lookout for antiques.
But, so far, no success. However, I know the word ANTIQUES in most languages. Have fun at the auction.
Sincerely, Margaret Mitchell
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Was so happy to hear from Mary Bertram with her first Tea Leaf OnLine contribution...
I have nothing to say but that I'll not be able to attend this year's convention, and I hate it, but that's the way things are going here.The house almost is finished and all kinda of events are taking place at our museum, so I'm completely tied up. I had told the regional attendees I would be there, but I guess I lied. Not intentionally, though, of course.Sure hope to see everyone next year. I am going to QUIT saying yes to people!
Mary Bertram
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A bit of a travelogue from Dick...
It had not been my intent to write this week, but when I received your message that you will be late a day or two, I decided to get a note off to you. I hope that I am not too late. I have not much Tea Leaf news to share, except that I am looking forward to seeing the Chrismans this coming Saturday morning. They will arrive in Hong Kong from their adventure into China on Thursday, the 26 I just returned yesterday from the weekend in Cambodia. I believe now that I have seen the two most impressive man-made spectacles in Asia--The Great Wall which I saw several years ago and now Angkor Wat. Some of the temples in the Angkor area were built in the eighth and ninth centuries. Angkor Wat which is mammoth (it covers more than 200 hectares and I do not know how many acres that is, but it is more than 200) and in amazingly good state, was built between 1102 and 1142. The fact that the buildings are still standing after all the centuries of war and occupations and neglect is real testament to the skill of the builders. All of the temples, palaces and public buildings (and there are dozens which we did not see) had been re-claimed by the jungle--they are still re-discovering them. One, however they have decided not to re-claim from the jungle and the fact that any of it is still standing and recognizable with all the huge trees and vines growing in and over it is amazing. This was another once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Perhaps the most sobering part of the weekend, however was seeing the killing fields and the stupas which are filled with the skulls and bones of thousands of innocent people which the Khymer Rouge slaughtered
mercilessly and generally indiscriminately in the 1990s. There are still areas not so far from where we were that have live land mines.
Enough...perhaps next week, I shall have some Tea Leaf news.
Dick
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Reaction from Bev & Ernie about their Martha Stewart appearance...
We were absolutely delighted with what the producers did with eight hours of taping squeezed into 6 minutes. They promised that we would look good and they kept their promise. Editing out all the dumb things we said. Ernie was still embarrassed that he started to laugh when he was telling about the Brattle House and its misfortunes with food poisoning. The cameraman made the ironstone look outstanding and none of the spiderwebs showed.
Several people in the Midwest said they were not able to see the program because CBS dropped Martha's show from the regular lineup that week. Is there any way we could show the video of it at the Convention?
We can't believe that you were able to put together another TLOL after two weeks in Paris. We would still be jet-lagged.
Bev
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A Regional Report from Dot Elam...
What a pleasure to attend the combined meeting of the Southeastern and Capitol Edition Regions Tea-Leaf meeting held at Don and Nancy Upchurch's on Sat., July 14th.
On Fri., July 13th Rudy and I traveled to Burnsville, NC. from our home in Tennessee. We drove the Blue-Ridge Parkway from Asheville almost to their home. Such a beautiful drive. White and pink rhododendrons were in bloom along the parkway (as well as at the Upchurch's home).
The Upchurch's have wonderful collections of not only Tea-Leaf but many other things. Just like going into a museum. Could have spent another day or two just looking. Also, Nancy had lots of nice Tea-Leaf for sale.
The weather was cool in the morning and then warmed up in the afternoon. Nancy and Don prepared a delicious barbecue lunch for us that we enjoyed on their screened porch.
Margaret Payne and Chris Weinbrenner put on a wonderful and educational program entitled "What is Sublime, and What Is Ridiculous," Margaret showing and telling us about her saucer collection (approx. 142) and Chris showing and telling us about her beautiful cake plates (approx. 90). No, they didn't bring them all, but brought many and shared the obtaining and history of these with the attendees. A great and fun program. Thanks to Margaret and Chris.
Again, thanks to Don and Nancy for sharing their wonderful log home with us.
And, also thanks to all members of Tea-Leaf that give of so much of their time and talent that we cousins may learn and enjoy our collections.
Your Tea-Leaf cousins,
Rudy and Dot Elam
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Dot provided the above report and Nancy sends some pictures of the regional:
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1) Picnic on the porch
2) group photo
3) Dot Elam with treasures she brought to share
Eleven attendees (nine members, two guests)
A good time was had by all!
Nancy Upchurch
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From Convention Chair Walt Stevens...
Just wanted to remind everyone to make their reservations for the 22nd Annual Convention being held at the French Lick Indiana resort. It should be a real family affair with all the Tea Leaf you ever wanted to buy and plenty of resort activities as a bonus. TLOL will have a special meeting emceed by Carl Hansen Chair of the Technology Committee. Meet all those TLOLers who write such interesting letters. Discuss how to improve TLOL. There will be an exciting tour Friday featuring a train ride, a walking tour of the West Baden hotel and a buffet lunch at the Beechwood Inn. Space on the tour is limited so sign up early to be sure to get a spot.
Walt Stevens
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A request for assistance...
I am flying to the convention in September. My parents are driving up and therefore, I will not need a car. I have contacted the French Lick resort and they do not have a shuttle service nor any information on taxi, bus or limousine service from the Louisville, KY airport. Can you all help me figure out how to get to the resort on Thursday, September 20 (arrival about 3:40 pm)? Looking so forward to the convention, it's my first one!
Sincerely,
Dawn Burns (Elizabeth Motsinger's daughter)
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An IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT from Educational Chairperson Nancy...Last call for ladle ID forms & photos. This is one of our most important projects, so if you haven't sent us your info yet, please do so ASAP. Of course, not all ladles and sauce tureens are as well marked as this one that I lucked onto last spring. Note that everything, and I mean everything, is marked. Mr. Walley wanted to be sure that his customers knew these were his products. The ladle is marked, the lid is marked, the base of the dish is marked, and the stand is marked. Note the old staple repair on the stand - to me, that adds a little extra to my beautiful Grape Octagon sauce tureen.
Nancy Upchurch
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 Every one of the four pieces is marked!
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[Folks, Nancy really needs our input. We all have ladles which we can't identify and this is a great opportunity to contribute to some very important Tea Leaf research. If you don't have a copy of the Ladle Form that was sent to you with Readings, feel free to go to the online form, print it out and fill it out. Questions, write to Nancy. DA]
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Enthusiastic Tea Leafer Lona writes...
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WEDDING BELLS RANG
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June 9th, Saturday at 11:30 Tinker Hill & Lona Trott were married.
Yup, we finally did it after being best friends for 11 years. We had over 100 friends and family here to help us make our day very special. We had the marriage ceremony in front of our gazebo that our 1800's doctor buggy is under in our front yard. My son Steve walked me down the aisle to Tinker, my daughter Christy was my bridesmaid, Tinker's son Mike was best man & many of our grandchilden were involved in the wedding . Many family & friends helped in one way or another to make this day special for us. After the wedding we had the reception then the barbecue. It lasted allllllllll day and evening.
We did not use any Tea Leaf for the wedding as it had rained cats and dogs two days before the wedding up until late the night before and we did not dare take any outdoors. We received many wonderful gifts plus we received a Walley plate (WOW) from Linda Maro, a 6 by 8 5/8 Alfred Meakin baker dish from Tom Narr, a Marine buddy & friend in N.Y. Between wedding money & Tinker we were able to get an Anthony Shaw T/L Cable coffee pot, T/L waste bowl, Alfred Meakin 10 " ribbed T/L bowl, and a Red Cliff T/L coffee pot , Wedgwood coffee pot, two different T/L gravy boats by Alfred Meakin & Arthur J. Wilkinson, an American T/L waste bowl by J.M.& Co., a coffee pot/Cable with the clover, no mark and an early Pomegranate sugar and creamer with no mark. I also received an Anthony Shaw round large sugar bowl for my birthday from my friends Rusty & Kay Kohler. EEEEEHHAWWWW. What can I say, I love it all.
Now we can say we are no longer Tinker Hill and Lona Trott, WE ARE NOW TINKER (OLIVER) AND LONA HILL. Our honeymoon will be at the Tea Leaf Convention.
You All take care,
Mr. & Mrs. Oliver Hill (WOW -- I love my new name)
[I think I speak for all of us in extending our congratulations. Looking forward to meeting you in September. DA]
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Regarding the dues increase, Beth writes...
I have no problem with the dues going up. The Club does so much for the membership, and the dues have remained the same. We expect to pay higher rates for everything else as the years go by, so the membership dues shouldn't be any different. As for Loiseen Brewer's response as to being on a fixed income, I imagine her daughter would love to give her a membership every year as a birthday gift.
Beth Brewer Stepp
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Julie catches up on lots of items discussed in Tea Leaf OnLine back issues.
Hope I get to you in time for this week's letter. I was on the computer till about 3AM catching up on old TLOL. What happened to April 29th? And how did all these On Liners know about my accident. (It happened on April 28). I've got a lot of catching up to do.
About that Chinese washstand set. What goes around, comes around. Gloria W. called me to tell me that a friend of hers had found this washstand set in Vermont and would I come up and tell her what it was. I went, I saw and I was impressed.
I know that you first wrote about it and showed photos on 4/22 but subsequent events had taken it right out of my mind. I knew the mug was wrong but I was so excited about the lustre which I thought was very good that I didn't really look at the hot water pitcher. Sent the information on to Walt and he got in touch with Gloria. The pitcher was, of course, wrong but G. had put it away so I couldn't check it out. However, she took photos and it was evident it was wrong. What a small world!
What is the difference between a hot water pitcher and an auxiliary pitcher. I use the term interchangeably but that doesn't make it right, I'm sure. Might be a good discussion question. Or not. I did reply to Ann about her ladle. It's a Burgess, I'm sure. Exactly like the one I have with my Burgess soup (in copper) and the one I sold (all 4 pieces) in gold lustre. Was there a May 13th edition? It wasn't on my computer.
I have a nice story to tell about a dealer in PA from whom I bought a ladle on eBay. When I received it, it was evident to me that it had been repaired. I e-mailed him and was told to return it and he also paid the cost of the return postage. Nice?
Everybody should know how I feel about dues increase. I've thought it was long overdue and must have mentioned that in Board Meetings more than once. It's a small price to pay for all the work and information that goes into the Newsletter and the operation of the Club.
Loved Burger's shelf all around the top of the room with plates and platters displayed. Would love to do it somewhere here.
Did someone mention that they had never seen a child's brush box in ironstone. I have two, one small and one larger. Both are white and both have little holes in the top and dividers in the bottom, just like big ones.
I'm still looking for Patton & Co. but it sort of rings a bell somewhere in my noggin but you all know that I had a whole bunch of stitches in my head and something may have leaked out.
I think the Tea Leaf bunny is wonderful and he is either by Cumbow or perhaps by the Bristol, VA Faucett Co. A former employ of Cumbow worked for that company and perhaps some of the LeNoir blanks were decorated there. They didn't use the little leaf that Cumbow did. (Richard Foil's book on Cumbow)
To current question: I do take in consideration the shipping costs, especially when the prices start escalating on something special. I've bought some things from Canadian dealers and that makes the shipping higher.
I have two wonderful cake plates, both I think I bought from Canadians and both gold lustre that I will be using in Sharing. I'd send the photos with my digital camera if I knew how to use it. Learning about this computer and the camera accessories is something I put on the back burner.
Forgive me for being so wordy but I have been out of it for a while.
Thanks again for all the good wishes. It's nice to know how many friends you have made over the years.
Juliehoo!
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Finally, from Maxine and Gerald, a brief report on the Stafford sale. More to come in the next TLOL (as long as those of you who were there send in reports!)
We returned home from the Stafford sale & it was really hot -- two ways. Terrell did his usual wonderful auctioneering & the sale moved quickly. We visited with all the members & told a lot of tall tales. Many people acquired several treasures for their collection & seemed quite pleased as they were checking out. Fran & I did the cashiering so we had the opportunity to visit with everyone.
The Martha Stewart, Bev & Ernie show was very interesting. Bev & Ernie appeared to be pros & if you missed the original airing, find someone who taped it. Worth your time & effort.
Just a note regarding Gerald's lightning strike. We thank everyone for their concern, however it was not a direct hit. The lightning was in the air all around him & it simply arced from the truck to his hand. If he had been standing on the ground I'm sure he would have received quite a jolt. He is fine & just as bright as ever.
We managed to recruit one new member at the Stafford sale & a strong prospect. This brings our total membership to 942.
Next big gathering is French Lick. See you there.
G & M
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That's it for letters this week.There is a small collection of Tea Leaf for sale in Cincinnati Ohio. If you live nearby and want to visit with the owner, feel free to contact Sarah Brown at 513-861-9082.
There will not be a Tea Leaf OnLine next week as we are taking our godchildren Isaac & Abby to my Mom's cabin for the weekend. Watch for the next TLOL in two weeks. Please take time to send a contribution.
Dale
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TEA LEAF ONLINE
July 16, 2001
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Look for the email "splash" throughout this issue.
Whenever you see it, you can click it to send a contribution to Tea Leaf OnLine.
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Even though I was leaving the country on July 2, I still got time to see the Martha Stewart show and Bev & Ernie's wonderful interview before I left. I loved it! Who else saw the show and what did you think of it? B&E - how do you feel it came out? TEA LEAF ONLINE MEMBER UPDATESWelcome new members...
Anita & Ken Adams Louise Miner Pat & Bill Carlson Email address changes...
Chuck & Judy DiederichFran & Sam Miller Marie CampbellUndeliverable email addresses...
No returned emails
DISCUSSION TOPICCURRENT DISCUSSION TOPIC: Ebay and shipping charges
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An interesting topic from Walt and Pat:
Do you factor in shipping charges when bidding on Ebay? What do you think is reasonable? What have you paid? Do you think any sellers adjust their shipping prices if they are unhappy with the final price? Do you insure your purchases? What is you experience with damage and insurance?"
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Have an opinion about this topic? Click below to send your TLOL contribution
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ONGOING TOPIC: INTRODUCTIONS
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Please write a brief paragraph introducing yourself to the Tea Leaf OnLine group. Items might include where you're from, when and why you started collecting, favorite Tea Leaf items, most wanted piece(s), best Tea Leaf
memories, etc. If you have a photo you'd like to include with your intro please feel free to forward it.
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Have an opinion about this topic? Click below to send your TLOL contribution
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CLUB NEWS
The Tea Leaf Club now has 939 members worldwide
Help us reach our goal of 1,001 in 2001
TEA LEAF PUZZLER  |
I don't have a Puzzler, per se, but do have a puzzling piece to share. Lora and Herb were here yesterday and brought this Wedgwood sauce tureen. You might ask what's so odd about this piece until you look at it more closely to discover that the lid is copper lustre but the base is in gold lustre!
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So here's my question. I know that the TL Handbook says Ribbed is made in gold lustre, but I haven't ever personally seen a Wedgwood piece in gold before, at least not in this body style. What gold lustre Wedgwood pieces have you seen? In bath sets or in dinnerware pieces?
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WEBSITE OF THE WEEKA-Z of Pottery Terms, an interesting British website: http://www.astbury.demon.co.uk/dicdtl.htm
SEEN ON 
PINWHEEL SOUP BOWL
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Seller's Description
VERY EARLY WHITE IRONSTONE BOWL WITH LUSTRE DESIGN!
IN VERY GOOD CONDITION WITH NO RESERVE !
Great looking early piece in very good condition free of chips,cracks or discolor there is just one tiny discolor spot. the bowl is large and measures approx. 1-3/4" in height and 10-1/2" across .no makers markings on the bottom accept for an impressed F .
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SYDENHAM COVERED VEG WITH AN UNUSUAL BUD FINIAL
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Seller's Description
Great looking octagonal gothic shape copper lustre ironstone tureen stands about 8+1/2" high at tip of gorgeously molded bud finial. 9+1/4" from handle to handle. Strong embossing on this one, both on lid w/ finial, and body w/ grape cluster and vine handles. Excellent condition besides some light spots of discolor inside tureen body (not visible when lid is in place), the teeniest flea off one finial pointed leaf tip, and some wear to the lustre trim along edges. Nice crazing within its glossy glaze. Absolutely NO chips, cracks, hairlines, or repairs.
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PEPPERLEAF NAPPIES
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Seller's Description
Elsmore & Forster Nappy
This lot contains 3 Elsmore & Forster nappies that measure 5.25' in diameter. The pattern on these measures 1.75" and the mark on the bottom is the round one (see photos). One is perfect and two need cleaning. A great find for the collector!
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BISHOP & STONIER GOLD LUSTRE BUTTER DISH
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Seller's Description
ANTIQUE WHITE IRONSTONE 3PC BUTTER TUB "BISHOP & STONIER"
IN VERY GOOD CONDITION WITH NO RESERVE !
Great piece and early. Condition very good free of damage with no chips,cracks or discolor insert looks fine also nice and clean. measures approx. 4-3/4" in height and 6-3/4" across. makers markings .
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INTRODUCTIONSNo new profiles were received for this issue.
LETTERSBev & Ernie sent photos of the New England Regional and this report...
It was very hot but there was plenty of Iced tea and great food. We all got a tag with a name of a potter, put on our back when we arrived and spent the morning asking only two questions of each person, that could be answered with yes or no until we guessed the name of the potter. Ellen Hill was very clever and asked first if the first initial was between A and K. She narrowed it down very quickly. The home of Allan and Suzidee, is filled with vignettes and arrangements of Tea Leaf pieces. We were at home instantly.
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Kimmey Decker with Edge Malkin mustache cup
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Suzidee with sun in her eyes
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John Meneghini with a barber shop mug
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Ellen with her contribution to Show & Tell
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A corner wall shelf with some variants. Thought you would enjoy them.
[These are Gray's pottery, right?]
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Carl Earl with a Cochran plate with copper lustre decoration
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This is a shot of the shortbread cookies Suzidee baked with the Tea Leaf impression
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Here's the group picture
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[Thanks, Bev, for the great photos! DA]
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Mary Voigt asks...
How can I get a copy of the Handbook of body styles? Is there a list of resources available for purchase?
Thank you
Mary Voigt
[Mary, Thanks for asking about the Tea Leaf Handbook. There is a limited number of books left which can be purchased from the Tea Leaf Giftique. Handbooks are available ONLY to Tea Leaf Club members. Write to Marie Compton, Giftique Chair, for order details. Marie's email address is Comptonmw@aol.com DA]
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Speaking of Marie Compton, she and Mike write...
Well - our collection has taken another turn as a result of Mike's travels. He spent 5 days in June in Montreal and of course managed to find the antique sections of the city. In one shop he stumbled upon 3 pieces of Morning Glory - all Portland shape. So now we own the teapot, sugar bowl and handled cup and saucer. He was especially excited when he realized how much less the Canadian dollar value was compared to the US dollar. The shop dealer professed to only speak French so Mike proved that he can bargain in any language as the price was reduced some $75 Canadian plus taxes! Marie's main concern is that Mike will decide we now collect that too!
Mike & Marie
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Marie Campbell comments on the dues question and would also like recommendations about a digital camera...
Dues Increase? Dandy. TLCI is a bargain, regardless. On another topic, I'm ready to purchase a digital camera. I've re-read Carl Hansen's article in a recent newsletter issue. Any updates to that advice, Carl? I want a camera which can give good close-ups, wide angle, and telescopic photos. I've been impressed by the few photos I've seen with the digital camera you recommended, the Nikon 990. Any additional info would be appreciated, including recommendations on retailers. I live in PA, just north of Hagerstown, MD.
Have a great time at the combined regional meeting and at the fabulous July 21 sale in IN. I'm already booked for an Oregon trip, July 12 to 22, so guess I'm out of luck on both counts. I hope to see you all in Sept. at the annual meeting. Best Wishes to you, Juliehoo!
Marie
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Gerald and Maxine send...
We are excited in hopes of seeing a lot of Tea Leafers in Connersville next weekend.
Our membership now stands at 939. We need 62 more to reach our goal.
I have not received any coupons for entries in the Rare & Unusual program for Friday night at the convention. Don't wait til the last minute. The program is yours & will only be as interesting as you make it. Please get your name in the pot early so we can start making plans.
See you at Connersville and/or convention in September.
Gerald & Maxine
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Great to hear from Linda McElwee...
Greetings from hot and muggy Missouri! It's been a long time since I've sent anything to the TLOL group. Really don't have much to tell. No TL around here. We've moved at work and I've been really busy with that. I think we are about in - all except the moat. We had such hard rains and the soil engineer did not get my plan done, and the new building flooded so the road and bridge crew dug a great moat. It worked well, even when we got 5
inches of rain in one night. They are supposed to fix it this week, and I think we will kind of miss it.
Rebecca and I had a great trip. I was able to attend a local auction at Ballybofey. Alas, no TL, but they did have a great group of items. It probably was a good thing I didn't have any idea on how to get large items home. I did purchase a wonderful painting of horses and a carriage in a heavy gilt frame.
I do purchase some on Ebay and I must admit, the charges for shipping/handling/insurance are not on my mind when I bid. We have had two disasters in shipping. UPS never did settle for the broken Teaberry basin. They gave the run around, the inspector"lost" the form, they did not tell us to keep the packing, etc. I do not ship UPS now. The other item was shipped with the postal service. I feel safer shipping with them- I know the postmistress and the workers and they are aware how we pack. The claim with them was settled. I do agree with the member who really prefers to look at and inspect the piece, but that is not always a possibility.
We look forward to seeing you all in the next couple of weeks. I know you are glad that I am not bugging you to help me find "three feather saucers"!!! I was able to fill that teaset in at Carol's sale, and hope I am as lucky this time to fill in a couple of gaps.
Take care and happy Tea Leafing!!!
Linda McElwee
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Gene Burger asks about an interesting item...
I just received what I think is a water glass type piece of Tea Leaf. Of course I also believe it should go with a bath set. It is in the shape of a water glass and has a ridge about 1 inch from the top. has narrowing base with a flat bottom.. Looks like it should fit in a glass holder however with the flat bottom it could set with a bath set I'll send a picture and will also bring it to French Lick for show and tell.
Gene Burger
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[Gene, Interestingly enough I have exactly the same piece in my collection, which I purchased at convention a couple years ago from Sam Miller. I'd like to believe it's a water glass, too, but I don't think it is. I've taken some pictures of my piece aside a brush vase, below, with my notes. DA]
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Note that this particular brush vase is made from two pieces...
the top and an attached base
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On mine, the base has been lost or removed and the bottom has been smoothed out so the piece sits
flat on a table
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A full brush vase and a top-only portion...note the exact same
size of the top.
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Dick sends...
First, I need to say thank you to all those of my Tea Leaf family who have sent me cards and messages of condolences at the death of my friend, Sally Navin. Sally and I were good friends for nearly as many years as Dale and I have been friends--and that's a LONG time! Sally fought a long and valiant battle with cancer, but ultimately lost that battle just four days after her 63rd birthday. I do appreciate all the expressions of sympathy.
Then, I need to say something about the charges for handling, insurance, etc., for eBay purchases. Since I have been on the Pacific rim, except for the TLCI convention and Nancy Upchurch's Christmas catalog, about the only source of Tea Leaf for me has been eBay. Perhaps I am living on the wild side these days, but I never even think about what it is going to cost to get the purchase to Dale's dining room if I really want the piece. I just pay whatever it is, but do consider that as an added portion of the cost. I ALWAYS purchase insurance if there is an option. I have not had many shipment-damaged pieces, but the couple which I have had were particular disappointments.
So, there is another WONDERFUL auction coming up which I will miss. DRAT! If for no other reason than the ability to attend these wonderful bonus auctions, I am going to have to seriously consider returning to the States one of these years before I am too old or too decrepit to travel! I do not know if I mentioned earlier that in addition to Margaret, I am going to attend my 50th high school reunion in early August. I am flying back to Carrollton for a very quick weekend. I will still be in French Lick in September however...I just MUST keep my perfect attendance pin!
Enjoy Paris, Dale...think you will find any Tea Leaf there???
Dick
PS. I forgot to respond earlier to the news of Gerald having been struck by lightening. We are fortunate that he is still with us! You did not say, Maxine, if Gerald had to be hospitalized or not or if he has any side effects. I had a cousin who was struck by lightening years ago and was killed along with the team of horses he was driving when a sudden thunder storm came up. We were always taught to head for the barn immediately if we thought a storm was brewing.
Dick
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That's it for letters this week.Paris was grand and we had a wonderful time. I spent one day at the big weekly Paris flea market (2,000-3,000 dealers) and didn't see a piece of copper lustre the entire day. There was a little white ironstone and a bit of flow blue, but not much. I know I'll see lots next weekend, however, at the Stafford auction. Hope to see many of you there.
Please take time to send a contribution to next Sunday's Tea Leaf OnLine..
Dale
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Look for the email "splash" throughout this issue. Whenever you see it, you can click it to send a contribution to Tea Leaf OnLine.
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Publication Schedule |
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{July 21 - Stafford Auction}
July 22 - Yes
July 29 - No
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August 5 - Yes
August 12 - No
August 19 - Yes
August 26 - Yes
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