Collect for enjoyment, collect for knowledge, collect for the potential of future windfalls, collect to share and most of all collect because it is a wonderful hobby that lasts a lifetime.
c1938 Captain James Cook and Captain Arthur Phillip limited edition of 350 commemorative mugs by Doulton
The weather is great, the grass is green, there is rain around, lockdowns are abating and it’s time to get on with life because life is wonderful. The alternative lasts a long time! Make the best of what you can NOW while you can. One chance is all we get.
I recently came across a book while at a “pick”. “A Short History of Taree 1854 – 1954 – a Century of Progress.” A few interesting facts to share. The Manning River was named after William Manning who was the Deputy Governor of the influential Australian Agricultural Company. Tarreebit was an Aboriginal name for – fruit of the wild fig, then abbreviated to Tarree.
Taree was a private town developed by the original owner. Around the 1830s William Wynter, an ex-naval officer of 20 years, was granted an estate of 2560 acres radiating out from the wonderful alluvial land of Taree Estate which was then covered with forest. Wynter was supposed to have got on reasonably well with the local Aboriginal tribe, the Birpai, also with the Ngamba to the north and Worimi to the south. He built “Taree House” overlooking the estate and it was still in use in 1954.
Henry Flett married Wynter’s daughter, Mary Stimpson Wynter and they took over the estate in 1844. Henry Flett named streets and sold blocks for the new township.)Victoria and Albert Streets after the Queen and her husband, Macquarie Street. after the Governor of NSW, Wynter St. after his father-in-law and Pulteney St. after a suburb in his hometown of Caithness, Scotland. The original blocks were sold for twenty pounds each. (Sadly Flett’s original cottage is falling down in Flett Street, Wingham.)
The book also indicates that William Charles Wentworth, of crossing the Blue Mountains fame, took up land in the Coopernook area.
I will enjoy continuing with this book and discovering many more insights into our local history.
Looking further afield to the early history of Australia, Royal Doulton (a noted British ceramics ware company) made two outstanding examples of their wares to celebrate the 150 years after the founding of the colony of NSW, at Sydney Cove. These two pieces are much sought after and are in much demand because of their rarity.
Doulton’s range of limited edition loving cups and jugs are avidly collected around the world and their enduring popularity can be attributed to the fantastic detail and wonderful colours present on each of the examples first produced in the 1930s.
The two loving cups or jugs that are specifically related to Australia are the Captain James Cook loving cup, made to commemorate Captain James Cook, one of the world’s greatest navigators. Part of its rarity is the fact that it is a limited edition with only 350 being ever made. No one knows for sure how many there are left in the world. It has twin handles draped in flags and decorated continuously with scenes of figures at Botany Bay. It is signed by noted Doulton designers Charles Noke and Harry Fenton and is 25 cm in height.
The Captain Arthur Phillip limited edition Jug commemorating the 150th anniversary of settlement in New South Wales and the City of Sydney at Sydney Cove, Port Jackson. Modelled by Charles Noke, the sides have moulded scenes of the first settlers celebrating the planting of the British flag by Captain Arthur Phillip and the establishment of the British colony at Sydney Cove. The jug depicts the flagship “Sirius” sailing to Australia and Captain Phillip with his officers on shore toasting the flag. The lip is modelled as a mask of Phillip’s head. A band of eucalyptus leaves adorns the rim while underneath the handle is a list of the governors of NSW, from Phillip to Wakehurst in 1938. Inscription on the base reads “SYDNEY COVE COLONY NEW SOUTH WALES, FOUNDED JANUARY 1788.” Again it is a limited edition of 350 and signed ‘Charles Noke.’ The height is 23.8cm.
These pieces have escalated in value because of their rarity and their wonderful reference to Australia’s past. I hope you find one on your travels.
Dave and I have opened a shop (Antiques & Old Wares) in Isabella St, Wingham. Call in and say hello, have a look around.
I hope that collecting brings you the enjoyment that I have experienced.
If you have items that you are not sure of, I may be able to help with information, appraisals and/or sales. I love the history and stories of old and interesting treasures.
Phone Rex – 0427 880 546.
Take care and stay safe!