SERENDIPITOUS BOOTY

Ah, silly Serendipity, how I love thee.

Just days after reading the article about transferware and then discovering I already own a set I, of course, indulged my thrift habit and went in search of more china......because, as we all know, I need more thrift in my house.

Now, this whole transfer thing could be quite like white Volkswagons-you don't notice them until someone mentions them-but I was completely bowled over to find, just sitting there, these amazing pieces.  And (bonus!) two of the pieces had a nautical theme!  Can you say:  pirate?

So, I share with you my Serendipitous Booty of the day!

Platter: (on back)
 FAIR WINDS
 Original copper engravings depicting Historical scenes of Chinese export to America
USS Delaware capturing LeCroyable
Alfred Meakin Staffordshire England

Plate:  (on back)
THE FRIENDSHIP OF SALEM
Original copper engravings depicting Historical scenes of Chinese Export to America
Alfred Meakin Staffordshire England

This piece, although I know is quite worn, presented itself as quite a bit older than the others and I was intrigued by the markings on the back.  In addition to the company there is also a unique potter's mark that looks somewhat like a pressed key indentation.  At any rate, it called to me and so came home to live in my plate rack.  I hope she's happy there.

Plate (on back)
Furnivals
Versailles
R.N.
England 221872
(you can just see the potter's mark to the right)

And last, but not least, the Ever Odd Bit that always manages to find me called out from a dusty bottom shelf.  Who, I mean really, who? throws something like this away?  It was just begging to live with me!  AND to be used quite soon at a fancy summer outing!

Oh, right.  And how could I leave this behind?  I mean, really, could you?

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to pour a cup of tea, grab a plate of cookies, sit in some Battenburg shade and Google the word:  Hoarder.  ;)

UNEXPECTED TREASURE

So, treasures come in the most unexpected places.  Sometimes you have a treasure and you don't even know it.

An article in one of my artsy-fartsy magazines brought my attention to transferware, the art of transfering design by thin copper plate to dishware.  The method made these patterns more affordable to the masses, who couldn't pay the cost of hand painted china.

Cool.

But the pictures posted with the article were of dishes I already owned!

Seriously!

I grew up with these dishes and generally paid them no mind.  I remember my Mom being in her glory when Dad purchased them for her but, quite honestly, never gave them much thought other than to eat from them.

Years and years later, after my Dad's passing, my Mom, in a fit it seemed of discarding everything she ever owned, packed the dishes and sent them to my house.  I was slightly shocked but grateful and used the plates as everyday china for ages.  Again, not much to say about them.  They held food nicely.

I used them up until 2002 when I impulse purchased an inexpensive set of china with a spiral pattern from Pier 1.  I was big on spirals at the time.  I carefully wrapped up my Mom's china and packed it away.

And there it's stayed.

Until this morning when I read the article.

I've always had a soup bowl (the perfect size for a hat pattern tracing) and a platter (great for a matching hat brim) from the set that didn't make it to storage so I popped the bowl out of the cupboard and here's what I found:

The bottom reads:

ROMANTIC ENGLAND

Warwickshire 16th Century

West Gate and Leicester Hospital

~In 1571 the Earl of Leicester endowed as old soldiers home.

English Ironstone

J & G Meakin

England

I was in a rush to snap this to post but a quick peek at the platter appears to

indicate that when I unpack the china I'll find completely different scenes from

different times and areas.  Needless to say, I'm looking forward to the research and discovery.

Unpacking that box has definitely moved to my Top Five Thing To Do This Summer!

Hmm.   Now where can I find a cheap china cabinet?