V is for Very Vintage

Transferware is a a printing process begun in 1756 by John Sadler and Guy Green of Liverpool, England.  It was adopted by Josiah Wedgwood for the very popular cream ware.  Transferware is a process whereby a pattern is etched onto a copper plate, inked, transferred on to a tissue, which is then laid onto a bisque fired ceramic piece.  Transferware has a crisp decal-like look to it.  It was created as an economical alternative to hand painted dish ware.  Prior to its development, only the very affluent English could afford sets of exquisitely hand painted china and ceramics.

Transferware was initially produced in single colors only:

blue (many shades, including flow blue), red (called pink), black (called jet), brown (called sienna), purple (called Mulberry), and green.  Yellow was a very rare color and not often found.  The pieces can be easy enough to date with the English Registry marks dating from 1842-1883.  

Happy Hunting!

Columbus Day

Columbus Day:

a legal holiday commemorating the

first voyage and sighting of the 

New World

by Christopher Columbus in

 1492.

Interesting that the New World is now 522 years old.... Explorers traveled through unfamiliar areas with the intention of discovering and learning something new.  Might just be time again for some of that... 

Ode to Autumn

There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots

may be lighted on,

and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings,

as now in October.

-Nathaniel Hawthorne, 1804-1864, American Writer

Value

Try not to become a man 

of success,

but rather

try to become a man 

of value.

-Albert Einstein, 1879-1955, Theoretical Physicist

Unsurpassed beauty

Unsurpassed beauty...

and the value of antiques.

Happy Hunting!

Underwhelm

I love words. So, today I mull over 

Underwhelm.

It defines

failing to make a 

positive impact; 

to disappoint.

It is much more satisfying to

whelm -  

 heap up abundantly.

Feels like a good way to live!

Ode to Labor Day

Proposed by the the Central Labor Union as a 'workingman's holiday', the first official Labor Day occurred in New York City on Tuesday 5 September, 1882.  Over the years Labor Day has continued to be enjoyed by all as the official ending to the lazy days of summer.  

Despite those lazy days, it always seems to arrive too quickly....

Farewell summer 2014.

Enjoy it!