& Blue Children Wares Babes in the Woods

VOLUME 27, NUMBER 2 MARCH-APRIL 2013

Babes in the Woods & Blue Children Wares

FLOW BLUE INTERNATIONAL COLLECTORS’ CLUB, INC.

The FBICC is organized to stimulate, educate, and maintain interest in the collection and study of Flow Blue, Mulberry, and related fields of china, and to promote the exchange of information regarding same between members worldwide. OFFICERS: Please send all news, notes, articles, photos, and President - Katrina Franklin (GA) Blueberry Market items to: 1st Vice President - Brenda Meyer (MO) Editor - CINDY NEFF 2nd Vice President - Margaret Taylor (IN) 6843 Pebblebrook Ct. Past President - Jerry Taylor (IN) Brownsburg, IN 46112 Treasurer - Ray Schomas (IL) (317) 858-1158 Secretary - Bill Wetherton (KY) E-mail Address: [email protected] Membership Chair - Marilyn Holm (MI) Webmaster - Ken Gallagher (MO) For change of address and membership information, Newsletter Editor - Cindy Neff (IN) please contact the Legal Advisor/Liaison - Jon Houserman (MI) Membership Chairperson: Education Chair - Helen Swan (KS) Marilyn Holm (269) 372-2770 or [email protected]

REGIONAL DIRECTORS: FBICC Membership Region 1 - Heidi Woolf (PA) P.O. Box 5427 Region 2 - Bob Ferriani (IN) Naperville, IL 60567-5427 Region 3 - Judith Boles (SC) Region 4 - Judy Boyer (CO) Region 5 - John Provine (OK) Cover photo courtesy of Jackie Casey Region 6 - Charlie Washer (AZ) Blue Children Vase with Flambé mark Blue Berry Notes is the official newsletter of the FBICC. Photographs submitted by members become the property of the FBICC, Inc. and no article, photograph Table of Contents or drawing may be reproduced without the express President and Editor Letters ...... 3 permission of the FBICC, Inc. Blue Children Series Ware/Babes in the Woods4 Use of photos in BBN does not imply that the item is CHUSAN Adaptations ...... 8 either Flow Blue or Mulberry. How It All Started - Washer ...... 9 Quiz Corner ...... 10

My Two Cents Worth ...... 11 Editor - Cindy Neff Indy Art & Antiques Show ...... 11 Assistant Editors - Agnes Holst, Heidi Woolf and Pattern Request ...... 12 Brenda Meyer From the Pattern Identification Database ...... 13 Region 4 News ...... 13 Patent Application Mark ...... 15 DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT ISSUE - The Rare & Unusual Piece ...... 16 May 15, 2013 MOSS ROSE Mystery ...... 18 Blueberry Market ...... 20 For website items, please contact the webmaster: Bluetique ...... 21 Ken Gallagher - [email protected] Club Bulletin Board ...... 22 It’s Almost Showtime! ...... 23 FBICC website: www.flowblue.org Region 3 News ...... 24

FROM THE EDITOR FROM THE PRESIDENT Cindy Neff Katrina Franklin

The results of the 2012 FBICC Survey Ah---Spring, at last. What a wel- regarding Blue Berry Notes intrigue, come delight! My favorite time of challenge, frustrate and cheer me. For year! March is the transitional those who wonder if anyone paid month. In Atlanta we anticipate attention to the boxes you checked strange weather in March, includ- and the comments you made, the ing ice storms. Ice on pine trees, answer is "Yes!" pine trees on power lines... I know January and February will be I am intrigued by the recommendations for articles and cold and dreary, but when March comes, I’m ready for general improvements. Some of the suggested articles, nicer weather. And then it happens, "in like a lion, out though, have already been published in previous BBNs, like a lamb.” I want to feel the sun. I want to see the daf- so the challenge becomes, how do we point members to fodils, tulips, dogwoods and other trees flowering, even the website where the entire archive of BBNs resides though the pollen will be unbearable. Then comes April and/or how do we recycle previous writings in a and spring has arrived along with Easter, a special favor- meaningful way so that readers want to view them again? ite of mine, and bringing out the few flow blue egg cups to use with eggs and bunnies for decorations. Fortunately, frustration was accompanied by a bit of irony, which made me smile. When the list of those who And spring brings summer with the next big event, the volunteered to help write items for BBN was emailed to Annual Flow Blue International Convention which is in me, I quickly opened it ready to pounce on the eager Columbus, Ohio, this year. Margaret & Jerry Taylor and good Samaritans. Five names were mine to enlist! Bill & Pat Wetherton have made several trips to Colum- Wait...WHAT??? Of the five, four already write regularly bus (one doesn’t have to live in the destination city to for BBN. Out of more than 800 members in the club, host the convention) and have a wonderful convention one brave soul stepped forward for the first time to join planned. Bob and Bonne Hohl and others on the Educa- the ranks as a contributor. tion Committee have a fantastic program prepared on children's dishes. How can anyone not love children's Of course, many comments brought cheer as gracious pieces? I am always amazed that any survived! Plus there members patted BBN staff on the back for all of their will be an informative program about Ohio potters. I’m efforts. I'm personally very grateful for all the members ready. When can we get started? I can’t wait for Rare & who contribute on a regular basis as writers, researchers, Unusual, which is without exception a delight to see. I idea generators, question answerers, proofreaders, always wonder, "Where did they find those wonderful photographers and willing participants in whatever is pieces? I never see them when I’m shopping, except at asked of them. the auction and table sales."

So be sure to save the dates of July 25-28, make your To all the members who completed the plans, and compile your list of needed flow blue and mul- survey, a heartfelt thank you. The Board berry items, so you won’t have to hesitate at the flea mar- of Directors and the individual ket, auction or table sales. It will be July before we know committee chairs are indebted to you for it. Have a great spring! your input and are taking it seriously so that FBICC will be a vital, vigorous organization in the years to come. FBICC 2013 Calendar

2013 Blue Berry Notes Publication Schedule Thursday, July 25th - Pre-convention Tour (with two options this year) Issue Deadline Distributed May/June/July May 15th Late June FBICC convention in Columbus, Ohio Aug/Sept August 15th Late Sept. Friday, July 26th through Sunday July 28th Oct/Nov/Dec October 15th Late Nov.

3 Blue Children Series Ware/Babes in the Woods

by Jackie Casey Doulton author and expert. Research done in the Royal with technical assistance from Doulton Archives found that in 1928 a stock inventory an Educational Sub-committee showed that around 600 vases were made during the prior three years and only one vase had been found dating from It seems you either love this 1930, which would indicate that the series was still being series of patterns or they leave produced then, but not in any quantity. you cold. Whichever group you fall into, it is a series that has Taking this information into provoked discussion, and from account, we have a time frame that discussion, research. Here of circa 1890 to circa 1930 for are the facts as we found them. Royal Doulton "Blue Chil- Hopefully, whether you are buying or selling, the educa- dren" series of wares. tional information will benefit you with more knowledge and a better understanding of this category of patterns. The patterns in this series are The information contained in this article has been ac- varied with at least 24 listed in cessed from research done on internet sites, the Royal the different books on Royal Doulton Collectors Club, dealers and collectors of Royal Doulton. Doulton, Royal Doulton Series Ware - Volume 3, Doul- ton in the Nursery, Royal Bayreuth books Royal Bayreuth These are the pattern numbers and corresponding dates: a Collectors Guide Books 1 and 2 by Mary McCaslin, 407 to 539 introduced in 1900 Royal Bayreuth dealers and collectors, Geoffrey God- 848 to 963 introduced in 1901 den’s Encyclopaedia of British Pottery and Porcelain 1680 introduced in 1903 Marks and Arnold & Dorothy Kowalsky’s Encyclopedia 4256 introduced in 1923 of Marks on American, English, and European Earthen- ware, Ironstone, Stoneware (1780-1980). Each source The borders on each pattern can be found either gilded or covered helpful areas of study on the topic. with stylised flowers.

Just as there are many variations of the patterns in this There was a wide array of items/shapes produced by series, there is also a range of makers, which leads us to Royal Doulton which can be found in both porcelain and believe that these patterns were not designed exclusively earthen wares. The range consisted of rack plates, oval for just one pottery, but that they could be purchased and round plaques (these in particular are popular items from a pottery print supplier such as The Ceramic Trans- that were fer Co. Ltd., which was based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staf- repro- fordshire. Keep in mind that during the time of produc- duced and tion, not only did these factories sometimes use the same have patterns, they often used the same body shapes. found their way into In the creation of "Blue Children/Babes in the Woods" the mar- items, Royal Doulton and Royal Bayreuth tended to be ketplace the most prolific producers. While mainly covering these either two potteries, we will also touch on two other factories framed or that produced examples of the same patterns. unframed), Reproduction plate with a phony Doulton mark umbrella Royal Doulton stands, wash sets, fern pots/jardinières, flower pots, jugs So let us start with Royal Doulton in various shapes and sizes, ball-shaped teapots, biscuit which named their series of patterns jars, jardinières and pedestals and various shapes and sizes “Blue Children.” of vases.

“The earliest Blue Children Scenes Backstamps date from the 1890’s and it would ap- It is very unlikely that unmarked items would belong to pear from the pattern books that the the Royal Doulton factory, as it is found that even series was augmented in 1915.” This is “seconds” that left the factory contained a backstamp. To a quote from an article written by differentiate between “seconds” and perfect pieces, they Louise Irvine, a well-known Royal drilled or punched the centre of the potter's marks to

4 Blue Children Series Ware/Babes in the Woods

show the item was not up to a perfect standard. It is pos- A backstamp with Flambé can 5 sible through human error that one or two pieces could be found either with the word have been missed, but highly unlikely that there would be crossed through or perhaps left many. It was also widely known that seconds were sold to alone. It dates anywhere between the workers in the factory, and having items marked as 1900 and 1930 (5 ). seconds in this way, they could not be resold as perfect. 6 This also protected Royal Doulton’s renowned reputation Faience can be found either for quality. This view was acknowledged and shared by crossed through or left alone and several Royal Doulton dealers and collectors consulted also dates anywhere between for this article. 1900 and 1930 (6).

It is also known that Royal Doulton standard pottery A note of caution here!!! shapes or blanks bearing the names Flambé or Faience Plaques and plates have been were used and often had the wording Flambé or Fa- reproduced (7 & 8) and can be ience blocked out. The wording Flambé dates from found in gilt frames or frameless using a very bad copy 1900, but remember these were blanks that they used and therefore the date is irrelevant. The piece being decorated 7 8 could have been sitting in stock for a considerable time before a pattern was placed upon it.

The backstamps found on the range of “The Blue Children” series are as 1 shown.

Standing Lion with crown over a circu- lar symbol with the word England to the bottom (found in various colours) of the Royal Doulton mark (9 - fraudulent mark & 10 - date c. 1902-1929 (1). authentic mark). 9 10 They can also be Mark from c. 1930 found unmarked. 2 (2). The words These items are not Made in England made by Royal Doul- were added to this mark. From what ton. They have been we already know about the cessation produced by despica- of the pattern, this mark would rarely ble foreign companies be found on "The Blue Children" which have deliber- series. Produced with the Litho sys- ately tried to fool peo- tem of printing, it would not be classi- ple by using a fake fied as flow blue. Royal Doulton mark. You would be advised to look at the reproduction items 3 Backstamps with the word Burslem FBICC displays each year at the international convention are the earliest ones used (brown to gain a better understanding of what is authentic and backstamp). This dates c. 1882 to c. what is counterfeit. The Royal Doulton mark used on 1902 (3). these fakes is very poor (above left). Please take time to study the fake mark against the genuine one (above right). Here is the backstamp with the word These unethical companies also cover the backs of the "England" added framed plaques in 1891 (4). and plates with 4 paper and some- This backstamp times with labels, was primarily giving the impres- used on earthen wares, but in 1882 it sion that the items was added to their porcelain china are old. production as well.

5 Blue Children Series Ware/Babes in the Woods

Royal Bayreuth available. In the collecting world, the unmarked items are often erroneously referred to as unmarked pieces of Now on to Royal Bayreuth who named their Royal Doulton. (See Figure 8 on page 5 for an example.) pattern series “Babes in the Woods.” Remember what we have already established; Royal Doulton marked all of its pieces, even seconds.

Other Factories

Thomas Forester made a biscuit barrel with two scenes of the children (12, 13, 14). Its backstamp dates it c. 1891 - c. 1912, which actually makes it as early as some of the Royal Doulton examples.

14 An interesting note is that most of the patterns produced by Royal Bayreuth can be found on items made by Royal Doulton. You will also find that both factories often used the same shapes.

Royal Bayreuth items are produced on porcelain (china). We have not come across any earthen 12 13 ware items produced in the "Babes in the Woods" patterns. If any of our readers has such This piece is pottery/earthen ware as opposed to porce- an example from Royal Bayreuth, then it would lain and quite rare. be nice to add that information to this research. Homer Laughlin (c. 1877-1900) also used one of the pat- Backstamps terns on a syrup pitcher (15 & 16).

Royal Bayreuth items can be found with the under-glaze blue backstamp and the under-glaze green backstamp. 15 These date from c. 1900 to c. 1919 16 11 (11). The green backstamp is iden- Both the biscuit barrel and the syrup pitcher would be tical to the blue one, just a colour variation. classified as flow blue since they were produced around 1900, which is well before the end of flow blue produc- You will also find items tion c. 1930 for this type of ware. made by Royal Bayreuth with no backstamp, al- We are sure there are several other factories that pro- though they often have a duced these patterns, but our research only uncovered number printed either in these two. It would be interesting if other members gold or silver on the could add to the list. base (12). This is a com- mon occurrence with Flow Blue or Not? items from this factory 12 (not just on the "Babes From our research, the items produced by Royal Doul- in the Woods" series). ton from c. 1890 to c. 1925 were fired to the specifica- However, patterns and shapes are well docu- tion that produces the flow blue effect. These items mented in the Royal Bayreuth books that are tend to have a deeper, softer hue to the blues than the

6 Blue Children Series Ware/Babes in the Woods

Blue Children by Royal Doulton

Vase - side one, above Ewer - side one, above side two, right side two, left

7 Blue Children Series Ware/Babes in the Woods

Royal Bayreuth Vases with the same body shape, but different patterns Side one, left Side two, right

Babes in the Woods by Royal Bayreuth

CHUSAN Adaptations

CHUSAN (Wedgwood) c.1882 - variation on a theme. (From the collection of Mark Armstrong and Murray Weisberg) On right, 9.5 inch polychromed flow blue plates. On left, 10.5 inch dinner plates polychromed with brilliant green.

8 Blue Children Series Ware/Babes in the Woods

ones potted later. They were sometimes enhanced by would have been fired in the way that would produce this having additional background detail hand-painted. You effect. Plus, the dateline would match this process. may also find some items pre-1902 that have the artists' Again, similar to Royal Doulton, some early Bayreuth signatures such as: pieces had the added attraction of being enhanced by hand-painting, but no artist signatures have been noted. J. Boulton, M. Brown, P. Curnock, C. Jackson, F. Jones, Kelsall, A.E. Simpson, Yomans. Educating ourselves on various types of patterns, potters and wares, leaves us better able to purchase items with By 1925, Royal Doulton had changed the print process confidence. We hope you have enjoyed this article and from the original engraving method to the Litho Tech- learned from the research. We welcome your feedback nique. Items made using this method appear crisper and and your photos of items or backstamps not represented. have the appearance of transfer wares. They can no longer be classified as flow blue, as they did not go through a process causing flow to occur. (To contribute to the continuing education of FBICC members, Items made by Royal Bayreuth in the "Babes in the send your supplemental input, observations and photos to the BBN Woods" series have the appearance of flow blue and editor. Contact information on page 2.)

How It All Started - Washer

By Charlie Washer, Region 6 Director

In the late 1980's I had been working at a customer’s plant in Antwerp, Belgium, off and on, for about a year. On the final trip, I found I had the weekend to myself for some un- hurried exploring. On Saturday, I stopped in an antique shop where there were about 40 pieces of flow blue china sitting on the floor. It was a pattern called CRESCENT potted by W.H. Grindley. It did not mean much to me except it was a beautiful dark blue color, and it was old.

I gleaned from the dealer his best price, learned about the Belgian V.A.T. (value added tax, Dorothy & Charlie Washer a tax on consumption of goods), and received estimated costs for shipping to the U.S.A. with a CRESCENT (Grindley) After contacting Dorothy and getting her concurrence, we decided to try to purchase the compote china. I just liked the cobalt color, and we already had a penchant for blue.

The dealer was not open Sunday, and I was leaving the next morning for the States. From the Brussels airport at the last minute, I called a good friend at the plant, and asked him to pick up the set. He was not only able to negotiate a better price, but to save on shipping he would put a piece or two in his briefcase every time he returned for meeting or vacation. We would meet at O’Hare Airport in Chicago to make the exchange.

All the remaining pieces, mainly hollowware, were shipped with his household goods on his permanent return to the States. It may have taken quite some time, a couple of years to be exact, but we had our start in collecting of flow blue at a really reasonable cost.

At a later date, as has happened to quite a few Club members, we found FBICC founding President William Miller at an antique sale and were off and running.

9 Quiz Corner

February Quiz Did I find a new pattern named NAPKREM by Alcock potteries?

Solution! No new pattern has been discovered. Only a NAPIER lid that sits prettily on a KREMLIN plate.

April Quiz

Over the years, two items that the sellers called "spoon rests" were purchased. Here are the descriptions:

1. 4.75 inches long and 2.5 inches wide. Has a central divider with two low rest lines. Marked with an embossed diamond with letters or signs inside. Impressed mark "A.N." 1 2. 8.5 inches long by 5 inches wide. The base of the spoon rest has an impressed registry mark of November 2, 1859. It was made by Elsmore & Forster, Tunstall, Staffordshire. The impressed mark was in use from c. 1853-1871. The rest has a copper luster band around the top rim with a flow blue leaf decoration and copper highlights.

I no longer believe that these are spoon rests. What was their purpose in your opinion?

Send your solution to the editor (contact info on page 2) or to me at [email protected].

Guest Quiz Masters are being sought! If you have an idea for a Quiz, send it to the editor or to Dan at [email protected].

10 My Two Cents Worth

by Ellen G. King Past President and Club Historian

Recently on our Flow Blue Followers Facebook page, we have been posting photos of the different colors that were used to decorate our flow blue and mulberry and seeing how appealing they can be. We have seen yellow, aqua, pink, cinnabar red, coral, orange and more shades of green than you can imagine. It is rumored that there is even a lavender and flow blue combination, but so far, we don't have a photo to prove that.

As an art student many years ago, I learned that the most pleasing color combinations were the colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. As such, that means the best color to go with flow blue is orange. I know there are lots of exquisite pieces out there with that pairing and it is very dramatic to view. So this subject appeared at a very appropriate time as I was wondering what to write about for this issue.

The two pictures accompanying this article are another variation of color combining with our wonderful blue. The first shows a pair of platters that at first glance look almost as though they are an unfinished pattern (1). The flow is bright and vivid and the tracing in the background is a rich burnished burgundy color. Unusual and very striking, these are the only items like this that I have seen. There is no pattern name on either one, but the small one is impressed with "New Stone" and "Brown-Westhead & Moore," which is an English maker. The second photo again has the beauti- 1 ful flow blue touches, but this time it is on a chocolate brown Staffordshire design, equally unusual and a pretty color combo (2). The pattern is JAPANESE with just the initials of "M&H" and impressed "BB." The maker is Minton. The piece dates from 1845-1868 and the BB stands for "Best Body."

I am intrigued by the creativity of the English manufacturers. As long as I have collected this ware (and to save you the problem of counting back, it is over fifty 2 years now; I was just a baby when I began to collect!) there continues to be something new that comes to light to enjoy or to fascinate. As I think back about my other columns, wouldn't all these factual tidbits make a great flow blue and mulberry trivia game? Come see me in Columbus, Ohio, at convention and we'll discuss it. For this time, that is my Two Cents Worth. Indy Art & Antiques Show

Representing flow blue and mulberry at its finest, FBICC members Scott Keefer (MI), Tom & Patty Gibbs (IN) and Warren Macy (IN) wowed Indy Art & Antiques attendees with their stunning displays. March 8-10, 2013

11 Pattern Request

by Judy Boyer the Grand Canyon was seen by human eyes. What does all of this have to do with flow blue and the Pattern ID pro- The year is 1922. Howard Carter gram? As antique hunters/collectors, maybe we are all and Lord Carnarvon are in the channeling our inner “Indiana Jones” personalities. We are Valley of the Kings. Several days all on the lookout for a piece we have never seen before. have passed since Carter found Whether it is a piece of flow blue for our own collections, steps under a pile of rubble that or a new pattern never before recorded in any books, we led to a sealed door. The door was feel the thrill that everyone gets when they discover some- completely cleared, and the name thing new. Some discoveries change the course of history. Tutankhamun could be made out Others change our own daily lives. I hope you all see on several of the seals. Beyond the door is a 30-foot "wonderful things” in your everyday lives. passageway, filled with more rubble. Though disap- pointed that this is another tomb that has already been For the new members of the club, and for any club mem- robbed, Carter continues and finds another door at the ber who has never been to an FBICC convention, maybe end of the passageway. He makes a tiny breach in the this is the year that you will venture out and discover Co- doorway. As the escaping air causes the candle in his lumbus, Ohio. I can guarantee this, you will see hand to flicker, “presently, as my eyes grew accustomed “wonderful things"! to the light, details of the room within emerged slowly from the mist, strange animals, statues, and gold – eve- As you are antiquing, surfing the web, or being a flow blue/ rywhere the glint of gold. For the moment - an eternity mulberry archaeologist, please look for these ancient- it must have seemed to the others standing by - I was themed patterns for our Patten Identification Database. struck dumb with amazement, and when Lord Carnar- Flow Blue Patterns: ANCIENT RUINS (Mason), CLEO- von, unable to stand the suspense any longer enquired PATRA (Wedgwood), EGYPT (CT Maling), JEWEL anxiously, 'Can you see anything?' it was all I could do to (W&E Corn, J.Maddock, J.Tams), RUINS (Ashworth). get out the words 'Yes, wonderful things.' " (MacQuitty, Mulberry Patterns: CLASSICAL ANTIQUITIES William, Tutankhamun, The Last Journey, New York: (J.Clementson), EGYPTIAN VASE (J&MP Bell), Crown Publishers, Inc., 1978) SCROLL (F.Morley, T.Dimmock). Any photos of these patterns can be emailed to Helen Swan at Fast forward to the year 2002. Kim and I are attending [email protected]. our first flow blue convention. Traveling from an area that has minimal amounts of blue and white, we are Here is a brand new pattern found on the internet: TING- amazed at the never-ending opportunities to buy flow HAE. Petra Williams attributed this name to a different blue and mulberry. But the best is saved for the last day: pattern in the first edition of Volume 3, but it does not ap- table sales. We have been warned that, when the doors pear in the Revised Edition. This is the first time a marked open Sunday morning, we will “see wonderful things.” piece of this name has been found by researchers. Flow How many of us longed to be archaeologists when we blue experts agree that the potter most likely is Cockson, were young? I wanted to travel to faraway places and be Chetwynd & Co. Information found in J.P. Cushion's the first to discover something no one had seen before. Handbook of Pottery and Porcelain Marks dates the com- I cannot imagine the thrill of what Howard Carter dis- pany to 1867-1875. If you have more information on the covered, or how the first explorer felt when he stumbled potter's mark “C.C. & Co.”, please contact Helen Swan at on to the geyser fields of Yellowstone, or the first time [email protected].

12 From the Pattern ID Database

By Helen Swan, Education Chair spends hours finding and researching patterns on eBay for admission to the database. I receive patterns from individual members and from the convention venues, In the last month, several flow blue pat- then research these pieces. After the initial steps, patterns have been added to our database, terns are sent to different experts such as Jackie Casey, thanks to Dan Sapira. Many are his prized Ellen Hill, George Wells, William VanBuskirk, Sharon Gaudy Welsh wares including jugs, mugs, Glendenning, and Jan Kobach, to be juried. After the and plates. Gaudy Welsh and Gaudy Iron- jury’s decision regarding each pattern, I crop, resize and stone are recognized by their strong shapes enter all the patterns into the database. Having one per- and colors, especially cobalt blue and burnt son complete these steps maintains consistency. Every orange. The patterns contain floral sprays, scrolls, and bor- four months, the most recent 100 patterns are reviewed ders. Pink or yellow flowers are in some patterns and most for entry errors and grammar errors by Jackie Casey, Jan designs show light green leaves. Gaudy Welsh and Gaudy Kobach, Sharon Glendenning and Heidi Woolf. Finally, Ironstone are often decorated with copper luster. Unfortu- Betty Reed takes on special projects for the database, nately, most of the older pieces are not marked. Below are adding her perfection to what has been done. I cannot three knockout pieces now on the website database. On the estimate the time that these devoted members spend on Pattern Identification Database (found at making the Pattern Identification Database as accurate as www.flowblue.org), go to the Categories button and possible. check "Gaudy" to review those listed. A late Valentine wish to all of you listed above and to On Valentine's Day, I made a note to thank all of the people those members who send in new patterns. Now that who are responsible for the work that goes into the data- patterns on mugs and jugs and bath ware items are being base. To illustrate all of the effort that goes into expanding accepted, send your new pieces to the database, a description of the process follows. Kim [email protected] for inclusion in the Boyer and I locate new patterns and research them. Kim Pattern Identification Database.

Region 4 News

By Judy Boyer, Region 4 Director member who lives in Denver: “I joined FBICC several years ago with a particular mission in mind: that of ulti- One of my goals as Region 4 Director mately making contact with collectors who may be inter- is to keep in contact with members on ested in purchasing pieces from my Mother’s collection. a monthly basis. Each month I send a I have been content until now with reading the newslet- newsletter, and also post it on ters and all of the convention news and simply collecting www.flowblue.org under Regional information [toward that goal]. News. I encourage members to write their collecting stories for Blue Berry "My mother was born and raised in Cheshunt, Hertford- Notes, and a few are already lined up. shire, England. Shortly after immigrating to the United States in 1950, she began collecting Flow Blue China as a The February newsletter brought a response from one (continued on page 14)

13 Region 4 News (continued)

(continued from page 13) an inventory; she has watched pricing so she is knowledgeable in what the items might bring now. means to stay connected with her homeland and, upon her passing in While there are several alternatives for dispersal that she 2009, she had amassed a collection has explored, one that the club offers is an opportunity to comprising over 350 pieces of Flow donate collections (or certain pieces) to the Flow Blue Blue and 'other pretty blue and white International Collectors' Educational Fund (FBICEF) as china.' Her penchant for collecting a tax deduction. This is an option that members may not didn’t stop at Flow Blue. She dearly consider initially because they only think of getting loved her Royal Albert and Paragon money in return for this long- bone china teacups and saucers…all term investment, but it is a great 1,000 sets, as well as many miscella- one to contemplate. neous pieces of Mason’s, Maling, Minton, Coalport and numerous others. FBICC members also have the option of putting a “For Sale” ad "My father, who still lives in Northern Minnesota, has in Blue Berry Notes, which asked me to organize and initiate the sale of all of these reaches all club members. People lovely pieces. As a busy professional, living in Denver, you who belong to the Facebook can imagine what a daunting task this is. [She explains she group “flow blue followers” have has made a complete inventory, put items up for sale in that fo- including photos, pattern ID or rum and have had success. They descriptions, and condition.] don’t have to deal with the fees eBay charges, and most buyers "…it is impossible for me to and sellers know each other. contemplate transporting any Dealers in flow blue and mulberry are always looking for part of this collection to the new stock, and while they can't offer a retail price (hey, annual convention and con- they have to make a profit also), this might be the best ducting sales there. Also, I option for some. Tag sales and auction houses, especially have no particular desire to use ones that have internet online auctions, are also good eBay. At this stage, I prefer to places to explore. Of course, there is the annual FBICC do the best I can via emails and convention auction, as well. phone calls directly with FBICC members as well as Since the member and I both live in the Denver area, I through the website and newsletter. invited her to our house and we spent a couple of hours discussing these ideas. She has labels, pictures, lists, a re- "Please let me know if you are able to offer any guidance.... alistic view of prices, and is willing to negotiate. This is Thank you…. ” another important part of selling your collection: BE REALISTIC in what to expect. Throughout the years, I On receiving this letter, I started wondering how Kim and I have run across people who have expected too much due will liquidate our collections, when the time comes. We all to researching old price guides. hope that there is someone in the family to welcome our flow I truly believe that clubs are blue with open arms, but that is meant to be fun - a place not the case in so many in- where people can learn about stances. So what are our op- what they collect, be able to tions? buy and sell items with people they trust, and develop lasting I like the approach that this relationships with others. If member has taken: she has any of you have other options become familiar with the items that I have not mentioned, I she has to disperse; she has am sure this member will be joined a club to get to know open to your suggestions and others with the same interests the rest of us will learn from as her mother; she has created your ideas and experiences.

14 Patent Application Mark

Special thanks to Bill VanBuskirk for number was granted. sharing his knowledge on this subject. Since the only thing better than researching in an authori- A recent stroll through the Exit tative book is to question the author of the book, Bill was 76 Antique Mall in southern Indi- contacted with a list of questions. He graciously an- ana, yielded a swered every one: curious find. What appeared I really enjoy an opportunity to help clear-up confu- to be a "normal" sion where Late Victorian china is involved. ARGYLE (W.H. Grindley) flanged soup plate with some 1. Is this piece an oddity? Not really, but it is more gold loss turned into something special rare than seeing a piece marked with the patent when turned over. On the back was a regular Grindley number. mark from 1891-1914, but ad- 2. If you look real close you will notice a small ditionally "patent application" amount of gold forming the letter N. So the letter N was printed along with an im- represents the person who applied the gold to this pressed "5," an underglaze piece. "19" and a gold hash mark 3. Impressed number 5 - All impressed numbers resembling an "N". An Rd No represent the employee who potted that piece. of 289457 was incorporated in 4. Blue underglaze #19 - The #19 represents the the Grindley mark, as was the worker who applied the pattern for that piece. number "32" at the top and a 5. Rd No 289457 - Represents the official US patent capital "F" and "B" at the very number as registered with that office. (This Rd No for bottom. The underside of the the ARGYLE body shape places the Patent Application in December 1896 and the Patent Issue in February of 1897.) 6. No. 32 - To help answer this question let me give you a little better understanding of what you have. The English potters were more concerned with someone counterfeiting their shapes as opposed flange had a peculiar seaweed-like to their designs. They did register their patterns pattern from the rising vapors of the (designs) in England, but in the US to protect them- piece beneath it in the kiln during selves, they used the US patent registry. So what you firing. find is for each shape you will have a patent applied for date and a patent date and number after the appli- When dealing with W.H. Grindley cation was approved. Production of a new shape, in dishes, the best place to start is Late most cases, began long before the patent was Victorian Flow Blue and Other Ce- finally approved (emphasis added). So when orders ramic Wares by William VanBuskirk. began to come in for this new shape, in order to fill A quote from page 258 reads, "Because most of the pot- these orders, and to protect themselves, they put the teries covered in this book were mainly in the export patent applied for stamp on. Thus the number 32 trade, there was a need to protect the body style sold in represents the worker who applied this stamp and the exported country. When an English pottery brought factory mark. These pieces were then stored for later out a new body style for sale in the U.S., in most cases, use when needed to fill an order. Also, because your the pottery owner would apply for a U.S. Patent. In so piece has the patent applied for mark, it was among doing, a dated application was filled out, and after a pe- the first pieces made in this shape. riod of time to confirm the legitimacy of the application, it was approved and a patent number was issued." From While having a one-of-a-kind, super exotic backstamp this information, it became clear that the purchased soup would have been nice, the historical inside story on body plate was produced for the U.S. market before the patent style patents is even better.

15 The Rare and Unusual Piece

By Warren Macy

See photos on page 17.

The Rare and Unusual Piece usually looks back at the past convention, but in this issue we are looking ahead and taking a peek at what awaits those who attend our 26th International FBICC Convention in Columbus, Ohio, July 26-28, 2013.

The first program will be “Flow Blue and Mulberry Child's Wares of the 19th Century (1830-1890)” presented by Bob 4+ inches thick with a hard cover and back containing and Bonne Hohl. 200+ lace bound linen pages. The cover is imprinted in We all love gold “The Wheeling Potteries Co, Wheeling W. Va.” and children’s pieces each 10 X 12 page is a colored photo of items made by and we all know the Wheeling Pottery. The back of each page is marked how knowledgeable either C. Speline, Commercial and Landscape and thorough the Photographer, 308-316 Dearborn, Chicago, or Stadler Hohl's are, so this is Photographing Company Incorporated, Art Commercial a presentation not Work, Telephone South 531, 1322-28 Wabash Ave, to be missed. In Chicago. The book appears to be a salesman’s sample addition, all book and hand written inside the front cover is the name, attendees will receive a valuable reference booklet with Mr. C. E. Young. Most of the pictures are not flow blue, many photos of the featured children’s pieces. but I did learn that two 11-inch tall pieces sitting in my study filled with flowers are not vases but “Senate” Since we are meeting in Ohio, an area rich in potting cuspidors! (See page 17, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4) history, a second presentation will be Finally, following the usual R&U program, we will be presented by William And presenting “Living With Rare and Unusual Flow Blue and Donna Gray, experts in Mulberry,” a Power Point presentation showing how you, Ohio pottery history. They our members, display your R&U pieces and see them day will present a talk and bring to day. (See page 17, Figures 5, 6, 7) I have about half of it examples of Ohio flow blue put together and you are going to love it. You will “tour” and cross state lines to the homes of Jan Kobach and Margaret & Jerry Taylor, mention the West Virginia Marilynn Thompson’s and Bob & Nancy Ferriani’s potters, also. Members are condos, and the Macy shack. We have pictures from asked to bring a few of their Ralph Escudero, Duck Webb, Charlie Washer, and Kim favorite pieces of flow blue & Judy Boyer and have been promised pictures from Bob made in Ohio for display. If & Bonne Hohl, Dave & Mari Crumb, and Mark there is room in the family Armstrong & Murray Weisberg. But….to make it a truckster, I plan to bring our Homer Laughlin jardiniere GREAT program I need even more pictures - I need featuring Blue Children. your pictures. Take some high resolution photos of your treasures, just as you see them every day, and email them And...as mentioned in previous articles, our Rare and to me at [email protected] or download them to Unusual program has been expanded for 2013. In a CD and mail them to me at 309 Medic Way, addition to the expansion, we will have the same program Greencastle, IN 46135. that we normally enjoy, so plan to bring those R&U pieces to convention. As an enticement to send pictures, and even more to register and attend the convention, I have included a As a preview of what you will see, I plan to bring a couple examples of what you will see in the program. recently acquired piece. It is not china but a book. It is Oh, yes, you will once again see teapot juggling, as well!

16 The Rare and Unusual Piece

5 4

6 7

17 MOSS ROSE Mystery

2 3

Note the difference in color between the teapot base and the lid in the BEFORE photo.

BEFORE CLEANING AFTER CLEANING

DURING THE CLEANING PROCESS Do not attempt on your own without complete instructions. Never use bleach to clean ironstone.

Example of a marked 10-Panel Gothic mulberry Line drawing of Marble teapot by 10-Panel Gothic shape teapot Anthony Shaw

18 MOSS ROSE Mystery

By Cindy Neff and a crack team of greatly appreciated for publication in BBN. Because a experts and investigators. marked piece of flow blue by Anthony Shaw hasn't been unearthed, we will lower him on the list of possible mak- Mysteries and puzzles are all part of ers of Bill's teapot. collecting flow blue and mulberry. Bill Wetherton sent the following note and Moving on to other possibilities, J. Heath created TON- the photos on page 18. If you have a QUIN in 10-Panel Gothic according to the photo in weakness for the oozing, bubbly rivers Teapot Body Styles along with a known example in of goo that accompany cleaning really "HEATH'S FLOWER" which is a brushstroke pattern. dirty ironstone, you will be fascinated J. Meir and Samuel Alcock made examples in White Iron- by these pictures. If you have a weakness for tracking stone while KIN SHAN by E. Challinor and CHEN SI down elusive clues to patterns and potters, you will be by J. Maddock are known to exist in flow blue. fascinated by the text that follows. Given all of this information we come to one cruel con- Bill writes, "In mid October clusion. We don't know who made Bill's teapot, but we 2012, Pat and I visited Disney do know it sure was dirty. World with our children and grandchildren. While great to be The good news is that additional information is con- with family, I was moused-out in stantly uncovered that takes us closer to answering the two days, with three to go. We mysteries and solving the puzzles found in flow blue and went from there to Vero Beach... mulberry china. We did find time to visit local antique shops and came home with a polychrome razor box and a teapot. The teapot had be- 1 longed to the store owner’s grandmother.

"The teapot is a '10-Panel Gothic' shape according to Flow Blue and Mulberry Teapot Body Styles published by FBICC in 1993 (See Figure 1, page 19). The pot is circa 1850 and (according to the book) was made by J. Heath and A. Shaw. Known patterns when the book was published were TONQUIN and 'brush stroke' in flow blue and 'Birds' in mulberry. I have no idea of the affectionate or real pattern name of my teapot. From the cleaning photo I sent him, one member thought it looked like it might have come from a ship wreck!"

By accessing the Pattern ID Database on the club website (www.flowblue.org) the pattern name was soon discovered, MOSS ROSE. Petra Williams identified three separate MOSS ROSE patterns in her books, so for our pur- poses, we are discussing MOSS ROSE I. In Flow Blue China: An Aid to Identification on page 120 Petra writes: "maker unknown" and "The backstamp states merely 'Moss Rose' and is outlined in a wreath of the same flowers." (See Figures 2 & 3, page 18)

While the Teapot Body Styles book lists Anthony Shaw as one of the possible makers, he marked nearly every- While books contain valuable information that was accu- thing he potted, including White Ironstone and mulberry rate at the time of publication, our base of knowledge con- ironstone. If you own a piece of flow blue with an "A. tinues to develop and grow. The list of makers on this Shaw" mark, it is truly exceptional. Photos would be page would be expanded and refined if this book were being published today. Check facts and then check again!

19 Blueberry Market

Each member may send in three “Wanted” items per issue at no (843) 237-3420. charge. For Sale ads are available at the rate of $5 for one or two items and $10 for three or four items in one issue. Each ad may Wanted: Looking for large dinner plates - 9.5-10 inches also include one picture. Make checks payable to FBICC and in CLIFTON by Grindley that will be used for send to the editor. special occasions. Plates do not have to be in

pristine condition. Small chips are acceptable but Wanted: 1. CRUMLIN (Myott) Starting a table service and no hairlines, please. Contact Janelle Ward: am interested in any pieces. [email protected] 2. LINCOLN (Bishop and Stonier) Prefer blue

polychrome but interested in any piece with Wanted: ROYAL LILY/Bluebell footbath, large La bunnies, pheasants, turkeys, etc. Belle jardiniere, pre-1900 syrup pitchers and Contact: Cathy Ahles, (954) 328-9284 or unusual polychrome pieces. [email protected] Contact Jerry & Margaret Taylor at

[email protected] or 812-246-4526 Wanted: Looking for plates in the mulberry MARBLE pattern. Contact Jan Kobach. My e-mail is: Wanted: 1. CASSINA (Davenport) child's creamer and [email protected] and phone 785-478-4881. child’s cups & saucers. 2. AMOY (Davenport) Classic Gothic shaped Wanted: LUGANO (Ridgways) teapot, pitchers, soup creamer, undertray to chestnut basket, rococo tureen with undertray and ladle, double salts, style teapot, sugar and creamer, 18 inch large platter more than 20 inches, or any rare platter, sponge dish. pieces. I’m also looking for any double salts 3. SCINDE (Alcock) liner for 8-sided soap dish, in Flow Blue. Contact: JoAnn Woodall, top to master slop jar (domed shape with flower [email protected] petal finial), sponge dish. or 847-772-0952. Terry Aufox 2665 Marl Oak Drive, Highland Park, IL 60035 or 847-432-1927 Wanted: Child's creamer SCINDE by Alcock. Wanted very badly. Damage is okay. Wanted: 1. TULIP & SPRIG creamer (Single Line Please contact Mary Mikolaitis, Primary shape), cups & saucers P.O. Box 120414, Clermont, FL 34712 2. Polychrome mug or loving cup 352-394-1060 Or email: 3. REEDS & FLOWERS brushstroke pieces [email protected] Contact: Betty Reed at [email protected] or 703-860-4116 Wanted: 1. inverted diamond shape creamer in INDIAN by Pratt Wanted: I am searching for flow blue plates in the 2. Chamber pot GLOIRE DE DIJON BROOKLYN (Johnson Bros) & BALTIC (Doulton) (Grindley). I want dinner plates (10 inch), salad Call Marilyn Holm 269-272-2770 or or butter plates in the 9 inch, 8 inch or the 7.5 Email: [email protected] inch sizes. Please contact Judy Handmaker by email at Wanted: Only considering pieces in Excellent/Very [email protected] or snail mail at Good condition. 1307 S Buckeye Lane, Goshen, KY 40026 or 1. KEELE with gold by Grindley, 14" and 16" call me: 502-228-8130 platters, 8.5" water pitcher, soup tureen/

underplate, bone dishes.

2. Johnson Brothers - GEORGIA 8.5 inch

water pitcher, with gold. FOR SALE: Complete 45 piece set of CLARENCE by Toby Mattingly Call 301-948-1612 W.H. Grindley, (pg 60 of Gaston 1999 Values). or email: [email protected] 12 cups, saucers, dinner plates, serving platter,

covered vegetable bowl, creamer Wanted: A small platter in the WATTEAU pattern by & sugar bowl. All in perfect Doulton. Approximately 9" X 7". May be condition. Price $2,350 called a Bacon Platter. Must have the pastoral Contact Duane Tschetter - design in the center. Contact Judith Boles, 920-582-7790 [email protected] or

20 Blueberry Market

FOR SALE: Beautiful Flow Blue Toilet. This toilet was found in an antique shop in Coral Gables, Florida; and it had been in a box in the back of the store with other estate antiques. It is 16-1/2 inches high, 14-1/2 inches wide, and 17 inches long. It has a Registered Trademark "Victory" on the inside of the rim. It is in perfect condition with no chips or cracks. Asking $18,000. Please contact [email protected] if you are interested. I will send more color photos to interested parties.

View these photos in color at www.flowblue.org.

Success Story - Our first sale through Blueberry Market was a great experience. We talked with other members and had an exchange of ideas and knowledge. We had two separate sales: one set of (6) butter pats and the other three items (1) 10" Scinde plate, (1) 9" Waldorf open vegetable bowl and (1) butter pat. What was interesting and challenging was negotiat- ing prices, satisfactory to both seller and buyer. Thank you for your assistance. Regards, Nan & George Schroth Bluetique

Produced by the FBICC Educational Committee and club experts, the following materials will improve your pattern identification skills and impart an understanding of the histories and patterns of prominent potters. These books and booklets provide readers in-depth study into special areas of flow blue and mulberry china.

Prices are listed below. There is an additional $3.00 mailing cost for each item in the United States only. International shipping will be figured on actual mailing costs. Please make checks payable to FBICC. Contact Helen Swan at [email protected] or at the phone number in the club roster for ordering and mailing costs.

The Johnson Bros: Teapot Body Styles: A Dynasty in Clay Flow Blue and Mulberry A detailed look at the This loose leaf binder history of the pottery is lists pictures of the many recorded in this booklet. body styles of flow blue Printed in blue are many and mulberry teapots. pictures of the patterns FBICC Educational and body shapes. Sub-Committee, William H. VanBuskirk, pp. 1-70. 1998, pp. 1-58. ($12 + $3 shipping) ($7 + $3 shipping)

Flow Blue China: Additional The Meigh Potters Patterns and New Information. Learn about the Meigh This book is a helpful pattern Pottery by reading about identification aid for flow blue its history, patterns, and china. Included are full color marks. Several photo- photos and nice sections on rare graphs, printed in blue, and unusual pieces along with illustrate body shapes and children’s china. patterns. Norma Jean Hoener, 1996, Bonne Hohl, 2000, pp. 1-176. pp. 1-27. ($15 + $3 shipping) ($7 + $3 shipping)

21 Club Bulletin Board

2013 FBICC International Convention New FBICC Applications and Business Cards Columbus, Ohio July 26-28 So that members have immediate access to membership applications, small flyers and business cards are available. Compact size makes them easy to take to shows or to display in antiques shops. With three small flyers to a Color photos in BBN are sheet, just cut into thirds and distribute. Before cutting, provided by your generous copy the page to make more. If you would like more busi- contributions to FBICEF. ness cards or applications, contact Brenda Meyer (636-239 -2084 or [email protected]). For immediate THANK YOU! delivery, contact Brenda or Marilyn Holm (269-372-2770 or [email protected]) and the files will be sent to your computer for printing.

Mugs, tankards, tygs and PHOTO REQUEST: Send loving cups! photos of your flow blue and We need them all. mulberry pieces with “make-do” Send photographs repairs for a funny and nostalgic look at to the editor for “reduce, reuse, recycle” in an upcoming BBN. use in an upcoming Include the pattern name and potter, if known. BBN. Contact View ALL Also, if you are showing a family piece and information is on of the know the story behind the “make-do,” please page 2. wonderful share that, as well. Please email or paper mail photos in this BBN photos to the editor. (Contact information on issue in full color at page 2) The FBICC website contains not www.flowblue.org. only the fabulous Pattern ID Database, but also archived copies of Blue Berry Notes in The password for the bright digital color, a Message Board, articles Members Only portion of of interest to collectors, convention news and the club website changed constantly changing photos and information. in February. It is found on the first page of your 2013 Roster. If The web address is easy to remember, you have questions contact the www.flowblue.org or www.flowblue.com Webmaster or your Regional Director. - both take you to the same site.

Our new club website is a “visual-based" experience where photos play an important role. To keep the site fresh and drawing visitors (we currently average over a 1,000 visits per month from 30 different countries), large numbers of photos are needed so we always have “something new” for visitors to see.

Every club member has a special piece of flow blue, albeit a piece or a collection… and would like to show it off… to liter- ally, the world! This is your chance. Take a digital photo of that special piece and email it to me at [email protected]. The photos will be used in the “Show Me Your Blue” or the “Rare and Unusual” sections of the web site. The photo presentation will be with or without your name, your preference. Please do not edit the photos and make them as large as your camera will allow.

22 It’s Almost Auction Showtime!

By Jon Houserman & Angie Montpas FBICC 2013 Auction Co-Chairpersons

On Saturday, July 27th at 2:30 p.m., in the Grand Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Hotel-North in Columbus, Ohio, approximately 400 pieces of beautiful Flow Blue and Mulberry will be auctioned off to the highest bidders at the Club’s annual Convention Auction! Consigned items will come from Club members far and FBICC is a family affair! wide; will be reviewed to confirm their authenticity and reported conditions by Sue & Jon Houserman the Club’s Auction Jury; and will be sold to the highest bidders among the with granddaughter and daughter assembled Club members. Cayla & Angie Montpas As was the case in 2012, all Club members are eligible to participate in the Auction as consignors and buyers, preferably as Convention attendees. However, those members who cannot attend may also participate in the Auction through Club member buyer/seller representative attendees. Last year we had a great Auction, and 2013 should be even better. We will again be posting the entire Auction Consignment Listing on the Club’s Web- site (www.flowblue.org) prior to the Auction, and final results afterward. Among the benefits of participating in the Convention Auction are:

Consignors/Sellers The Auction is a great way to sell your items (if downsizing collections, reducing inventories, or just trying to raise some extra money to be able to buy more Flow Blue and Mulberry!), with a potential audience of several hundred enthusiastic Flow Blue and Mulberry collectors competing for them. Sales prices realized at the 2012 Auction were very strong. The Auction is operated entirely by Club member volunteers, which equates to low consignment fees ranging from no higher than 12% for lower priced items to as low as 8% for higher value pieces. These auction commission fees are much lower than charged by most auction houses, and Convention Auction net proceeds are used to provide on-going services (e.g., Blue Berry Notes, Website, etc.) for Club members. If you are thinking about consigning items to the auction, but are unsure of how to do so or need assistance with selecting the types of items to consign or accurately reporting the condition of your items, please contact Jon Houserman at the address listed at the end of this article. Jon is waiting for your call and will hap- pily help you from start to finish.

Bidders/Buyers Every year Club members find great buys on Flow Blue and Mulberry pieces at the Convention Auction. Where else can you find an auction with 400 quality pieces of our beloved Flow Blue and Mulberry, all in one location, and being sold to the highest bidder with no buyer’s premium?! Typically, very few convention auction lots have consignor/seller reserves. Credit card purchases are accepted by the Club, and UPS shipping will be immediately available on-site at the Auction if you need help transporting your purchases!

Be a Consignor/Seller and a Bidder/Buyer! Since it’s fun to sell and fun to buy Flow Blue and Mulberry at the Auction, why not do both? Many members do so already, and double their fun at the Convention!

Included with this issue of the Blue Berry Notes are 2013 Columbus Convention and Auction informational materials and forms. Please look them over for further guidance about the 2013 Convention Auction, plus additional information is posted on the Club’s Website (www.flowblue.org). If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Jon Houserman (Ph. 989/855-2921 or Email: [email protected]).

SEE YOU AT THE AUCTION!

23 Region 3 News

Blue Skies, Blue China and Blue Friends all arrived in Jacksonville, Florida, for the Region 3 Meeting in March. It was a lovely day when 18 friends shopped at the Avonlea Antique Mall on Saturday morning. The Mall managers made us feel especially welcome with dealer displays and discounts on flow blue. Door prizes were awarded in a random drawing for Flow Blue members. All enjoyed a lunch at the Old Florida Café in the Mall.

After lunch we carpooled to Marlene Goodwin’s home for dessert and a program of “Fabulous, Favor- ite Finials.” Marlene’s home and garden were beautiful in the warm spring sunshine. A very special cake, decorated with the design of a Grindley’s ARGYLE plate was a delicious surprise. Marlene’s lovely home was delightful to tour. Dinner on Friday and Saturday night included good food, lively conversation and renewed friendships. It was a wonderful weekend.

Region 3 Members

Front row, left to right - Marlene Goodwin, Charleen Crane, Cathy Ahles, Greg Jones, Inda People-Jones, Pamela Woodward

Back row, left to right - Terry Tinkel, Marilyn Sharko, Denise Brazelle, Alison Crane, Carlin Brazelle, Judy Boles, Carol Tinkel, Lou Burhans, Dwayne Burhans

Fabulous Johnson Bros. Finials

From upper left and following around, NEOPOLITAN, HOLLAND, OXFORD, CLARISSA, SAVOY, ST. LOUIS, ECLIPSE, JEWEL, GLENWOOD