ANTIQUES LETTERS: 21 June
MIX AND MATCH This cup and saucer were given to my husband years ago by an old gentleman he used to help. Could you tell us if it has any value at all?
JK, London
FS What a lovely cup. It’s made by Adams and is reminiscent of Royal Doulton Dickens pieces. It is based on Phiz’s illustration, Nicholas Engaged As Tutor In A Private Family (1838). It dates from around 1891-1910. The saucer, however, doesn’t match your cup. Francis Wheatley painted a series called Cries Of London, which he exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1792-95. He specialised in images of street sellers and his wife often posed as his model. His first three paintings were engraved to become popular prints by Luigi Schiavonetti, including the one on your saucer of the Orange Seller. This set dates from around 1891-1903. At some point, two different sets got mixed and, while that does affect the value, they are still both charming. In terms of value, they’re about £10 to £15. A matching set would have been £30 to £50.
SIGN OF THE TIMES
I have a child’s autograph book from the late 1940s, with autographs from Malcolm Saville, Margot Fonteyn, Derek McCulloch, Enid Blyton, Ronald Shiner, Robert Helpmann, Olave Baden-Powell, Noel Streatfeild and the author Pamela Brown. Is it of any value? The autographs are mixed in with those of friends and relations, but are all on separate pages. MW, by email
FS What a wonderful list. When I sold my father’s estate, some of the autograph books were broken up to maximise profits, and while I did feel a little guilty, splitting them up is often the best way to get the most out of them. In this case, I would sell them through a specialist ephemera section at a book auction. I would recommend speaking to both Cheffins in Cambridge – 01223-213343, www.cheffins.co.uk – and Bloomsbury Auctions in London – 020-7495 9494, www.bloomsburyauctions.com
I have sold successfully through both and appreciate their expertise in the area. They should realise several hundred pounds, depending on who else is included.
How To Deal In Antiques by Fiona Shoop is published by How To Books, priced £16.99.
ANTIQUES TIP
Museums are a wonderful way to discover great examples of antiques. Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, set in the Royal Pavilion Gardens, has a superb selection of antiques and collectables, including rare Clarice Cliff plaques; as well as stunning Art Deco furniture. Many of us will recognise pieces from our own past or discover new areas of interest. I find something new every time I go.03000-290900, www.brighton-hove-rpml.org.uk
Send your antiques questions to Fiona Shoop, Antiques, The Lady, 39-40 Bedford Street, London WC2E 9ER (enclose an SAE for a reply); or email TheLadyAntiques@lady.co.uk
Send an image of the item, with backstamp if possible, and no more than two images at once.
RABBITS GALORE
China rabbits come in all shapes and sizes with the most famous being the sitting rabbits with ears sticking up. Some even have cotton wool coming out of their tails – known as cottontails in the antiques trade.They were made by a variety of potteries, including solid stoneware bunnies by Denby and the often-confused mattglazed SylvaC and Wadeheath rabbits from the 1930 and 1940s – the monochrome animals are easily mistaken for each other. However, the Wadeheath ones, if not signed, often bear the number 507. These sell for about £20 to £50, depending on size.
While the Wade rabbits came in four sizes, the Denby rabbit, known as Marmaduke, was produced in seven sizes from a miniature (less than an inch) to the huge size four version at just under a foot. These sell for £20 to £80 plus, depending on size and colour. The cottontails tend not to have as large a following as the solid rabbits but still have devoted collectors. Marmaduke comes in both matt and glazed versions and is mainly in solid colours, although there is also a Denby-esque blue-pink version.
The cheeky rabbits on their hind paws are less common than the traditional rabbit shape but, for me, are less appealing. When buying, look for chipped bases and cracks, especially around the ears and tails.
Next month: Royal Doulton became leaders in stylish fi gures and animals and most of you will have at least one piece in your home. Why not write to me about your Royal Doulton collectables?