A hobby that lasts a lifetime and gives much joy and pleasure. Those memorable finds, the great people you meet, the new places you explore when searching. It is a truly engrossing pastime. Garage sales, Markets, Antique Fairs, Grandmas cupboard, Second Hand Shops, Antique Shops and word of mouth tips, are all great places to start and continue a lifelong enthusiasm for collecting.
We all need to remember to support your local small businesses. Some are doing it tough in these economic conditions. Our butchers, bakers, greengrocers, newsagents, cafes, restaurants, clothing, shoe shops, trades people and many, many more need us to buy local and keep our town economies vibrant.
An interesting find, of mine, was at the Taree Collectors Club’s Antiques and Collectables Fair, many years ago now, where a great old friend of ours, Ian, had brought along a family relic that he thought went back to the 1700s. Ian has just completed his autobiography, “The Bone in the Fishcake” in his 94th year after a quarter century labour of love. He was clearing out some things and was happy to part with this item.
Ian explained that it was the figure of an angel, arm outstretched, hand painted and very uniquely done. Years later I was doing some research and discovered the figure was indeed made in the late 1700s, but the figure wasn’t an angel, it was of preacher John Wesley, founder of the Methodist church, arms outstretched in his preaching style. The most interesting part was that it had been done out of a vertebra bone of a horse. These type of religious relics were kept in a special place in the household, keeping watch over those who dwelt there.
It remains a treasured possession in our collection reminding us of the ingenuity of our forefathers and the memory of a good and really interesting friend.
Although started in England unique advertising pot lids with Australian motifs are out there to be found.
It was Felix Edward Pratt (1813-94) who spotted the commercial possibilities of using new printing technology to decorate the lids of containers for popular products such as bear’s grease, gentleman’s relish, potted shrimp, medical cure-alls and cosmetics, with sophisticated designs. After 1840, F. & R. Pratt of Fenton in Staffordshire, became the leading (but not the only) manufacturer of multicoloured transfer printed pot lids and a huge range of related wares.
Long admired for their technical excellence, for their sheer variety and as a social and historical record of their era, pot lids have a great collecting history and rank among the most desirable everyday items from the Victorian period.
The genius of Felix Edward Pratt was to apply the new technology of printing to pot lids. As a general rule, few lids are marked by the potter. Together more than 550 different designs and variations have been recorded and serious collectors aim to own a good example of each one.
The subjects printed on many lids gave a clue to their contents (Pegwell Bay for potted shrimps, floral subjects for ladies’ cosmetics, bears for bear’s grease etc), but others depict subjects as diverse as British and European landmarks, scenes from Shakespearean plays or the Crimean War.
In the main, three sizes of polychrome lids were produced (in approximately 3in, 4in and 5in diameters) with the moulded shape varying only slightly. Variations to the border decoration and the addition of a manufacturer’s name can also be important when distinguishing between a common and a rare design.
The same transfer-printed designs that featured on the pot lids were also reproduced on a range of related domestic items, from tea wares to tobacco jars, collectively known as Prattware.
Pot lids have a collecting history as old as their manufacture (many were mounted in frames to hang on the wall) and as early as 1897, just three years after the death of Felix Edward Pratt, an exhibition of factory productions was held in Blackpool.
Specialist auctions were held as early as 1924 when the input of wealthy industrialists from the Midlands saw pot lids reach collecting fever pitch.
Some of the more available varieties of pot lids can be purchased for under $100, which represents wonderful decorative value. My advice to new collectors, or simply those who wish to purchase some examples, is to choose those that have strong colours, and if they are common varieties, then stay away from examples that have damage or repairs. Lids with original pots can increase the value by 20% or more if the pot has a complimentary decoration like marbling, trade names or gold embellishments. Plain white bases make little difference. See if you can find some Prattware or great Australian based examples.
I have opened a retirement shop (Antiques & Old Wares) at 12 Isabella St, Wingham in order to continue a great hobby. Call in and say hello.
I hope that collecting brings you the enjoyment that I have experienced over forty odd years!
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 & stay safe!