Saturday, August 07, 2010
RANDOM 341 OBJECTS
12 Rare BLUE TRANSFERWARE Plates G. WASHINGTON ON HORSE-$133
You’d look ‘til the cows come home for just one of these Crown Ducal plates with George Washington astride one of his favorite horses; Blueskin. I never thought I’d ever discover a full set of 12, but I did, and they are all in beautiful condition.
Each plate is just over 10 ½” in diameter, and there are no chips, cracks, scuffs, cracks or anything else objectionable. Naturally, after 78 years, there is some mild crazing, but that is almost entirely noted only upon close examination of the backs. No finer set can be found.
I was SO tempted to empty out an old drop-front bookcase secretary I have in my living room just so I could show you a picture of them displayed in it. Then I got to thinking about it and decided if I did that, they’d probably stay there forever.
The notation below the image says: “Washington at Trenton.” The lead up to the battle of Trenton on Christmas night in 1776, as well as the battle itself, is one of the most tactically interesting of the entire war. It’s also the time he crossed the Delaware River, the famous painting etched in all our collective memory.
The huge mark on the back of each plate is about as information as it gets when it comes to backstamps.
George Washington
Bicentenary
Memorial Plates
1732 – 1932 (341 Side note: His date of birth is 1731 using the Julian calendar, but the Georgian calendar makes it 1732. How’s that for nitpicking?)
First in War
First in Peace
First in the hearts of his countrymen
Crown Ducal
England
And the border decoration? It is complex and exquisite; the perfect frame for the portrait of Washington pointing his sword and Blueskin eager to get on with it.
I don’t think they were ever stacked like that, and I’m going to put the heavy pads back between each just as soon as I’m done here.
Friday, August 06, 2010
RANDOM 341 OBJECTS
2 pcs Vintage BLACK POTTERY - Double FISH JAR & Bottle-$9
I don’t normally buy this type pottery, but a bunch of clowns were auctioning off the estate of a really rich guy from down toward Cincinnati, Ohio, and they just struck my fancy. They seem to be very nice quality pieces.
I don’t know the age of either, but I suspect they aren’t all that old.
