Blue Ridge Collectors' Club Newsletter

Transcription

1 Blue Ridge Collectors' Club Newsletter Volume: 2 Issue: 1 January 2013 What's Happening Good-bye 2012 Welcome All the fun and good times we had in Erwin at the BCC Show in October were followed by extreme sadness at the loss of so many of our Blue Ridge Family. Mary Farley passed away September 6, 2012; Glenn Clark died during the Middle School Show in October 2012; Norma Lilly, National Blue Ridge Newsletter and long time supporter of BCC passed away on November 19, 2012; followed by the unexpected death of BCC's mentor, Wayne Ledford on November 29, Without the hard work of Phyllis Ledford and, subsequently in her stead, Wayne Ledford, there would be no Blue Ridge Show. The efforts of Phyllis and Norma Lilly resulted in Erwin becoming the 'Mecca' of Blue Ridge Collectors. Blue Ridge Lovers and Collectors make the annual pilgrimige to Erwin each year in search of that elusive piece of pottery. Ruby Keillor gets credit for writing the first books about Blue Ridge, small, chatty style books, that were very helpful for eager collectors seeking information. Bill and Betty Newbound became fast friends with Norma and Sherman Lilly, staying with them, visiting the Farleys, Erwin and former workers at the pottery gathering information for their books. Norma Lilly, the Newbounds and the Ruffins all had booths at the Blue Ridge Show and Sale at the Armory during each show. This provided a wealth of hands-on information for collectors. Dealers and collectors would bring their unusual pieces to be photographed for the next book. The authors always gave credit to those people who made such contributions. Today, collectors are fortunate to have so many reference sources to educate themselves. The Newbounds published at least five reference books, but haven't published any books since 2003; John and Frances Ruffin began publishing their books beginning with 'Blue Ridge China Today' in 1997, followed by three others, most recently in 2011 with 'Blue Ridge China Trends'. Page 1 of 7

2 On a good note, we are glad to hear that John Ruffin's surgery was successful and that he's doing well and Frances' health has improved. Kathryn Lilley, BCC member and long time dealer at the Armory had health problems last year, but was doing great when she set up at the Armory in October. BLUE RIDGE OR NOT BLUE RIDGE? Lions, Tigers and... Elephants? Oh my! Why the fascination with this particular animal? Why would Southern Potteries manufacture elephant figurines? Could it be to copy their competitors like McCoy and Gonder? Could it be as a souvenir for the town where an elephant had been hanged? Could it be because President Hoover, a Republican, was speaking close by at Elizabethton and having a banquet at the John Sevier Hotel in Johnson City sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce? However, we know that Southern Potteries made platters and ashtrays bearing Hoover's name and the banquet date commemorating the banquet. We know that Southern made elephant and dog figurines in addition Betsy jugs and handled vases for Wrisley's Bath Salts. The red elephant above still has the bath salts and label over a hole in its belly. This is a feature that helps me to identify the elephants and other animals made by Southern they have a fairly large hole in their middle. Whereas not many collectors choose to delve into the less colorful large animal figures that Southern Potteries made and not much information about them is available. Newbound states in Southern Potteries, Inc., Blue Ridge China, page 150 that sometime prior to , Southern Potteries made a line of large, animal figurines including elephants, lions, tigers, dogs, cats, rabbits and penguins. So far, only a very few 'marked' examples of these figures have surfaced. Almost all potteries made animal figures and were not averse to copying from each other, so Page 2 of 7

3 unless you stumble onto a marked piece, animal figures are impossible to authenticate. The elephants appear to come in several sizes, I believe some of the larger ones were made for the Republican fund raiser for Herbert Hoover in Johnson City, TN. Most of the elephants found for the Wrisley's market are approximately 9.5 long by 6 tall at the trunk; however, there are elephants with hand painted eyes, center belly hole that are 10.5 long and 9.5 tall at the trunk. Years ago while at the old YMCA building in Erwin during a show, someone brought an elephant in that was large and had a blanket painted on it, inscribed on the blanket was Southern Potteries, Inc. I have found the silver elephant and another large gray elephant (no blanket) with hand painted eyes, and center hole that I feel strongly were made by Southern. I think that these larger elephants were meant to be decorative or possibly made as Republican mementos. Complicating the collection of these items, as usual, is the fact that other potteries were making them too, although the larger examples I have seen have the center hole and hand painted eyes. Two potteries that I have identified as manufacturing elephant figurines are McCoy and Gonder. Again, items are seldom marked and when they were, it was with paper labels. Therefore, finding a piece with a paper label depends upon how good a housekeeper the original owner was. One identfying feature of Southern's large animals that I have mentioned before is that they have the vent hole in the center of the belly or underneath not in the feet, probably because they were manufactured from a mold that was created to accommodate a cork for the bath salts. I have a 'tiger' with a 'paper' Southern Potteries mark over the hole in the belly. This particular 'tiger' appears in both Ruffin and Newbound books, but has been misidentified as a 'lioness' and even named 'Elsa', but it is definitely a tiger and there are two reasons why: one is that it has stripes and the ruff of fur on the cheeks that tigers have; and, let's be real, back then, no figurines were made of the 'female' of the species, only the male of the species was used Women's Lib hadn't arrived yet! I would love for anyone with information about the Southern Potteries' animal figures to please contact me. I'm trying to research whether or not elephant figures were made as table decorations for the Hoover Banquet in Johnson City. If we could find pictures taken at the banquet, the elephants may be visible on the tables. The silver elephant pictured above, I believe, was used for that purpose. NEW FINDS, INFORMATION: (Please send me your information) Page 3 of 7

4 FINDS: The pattern below is an unnamed pattern that created quite a bit of interest for Blue Ridge buyers on ebay recently. There were 5 saucers, no plates and the final bid was over $240. POEM PLATES one of a kind pieces These two plates were also on ebay this month, at this writing the bidding had reached $ for both and the reserve was not met. The write up stated: The pattern is Violet Spray. The gold decoration is unusual too. I have seen this gold decoration only on a couple of pieces in my collecting. I am no longer collecting and selling some of my finds. Dessert Flowers #1 Friendship is a flower that blooms along life's dessert highways, and kindness is the hand that grooms the flowers that brighten byways. If seeds of Friendship fall amiss, or grooming hand is smitten It blooms unseen, "twill ever be. A poem - left unwritten- Frances M. Meskimen The first plate she started on has a tiny chip on the edge above the period at the word Flowers. I assume that was from the hanger as I had them hanging all these years. The second plate is perfect. The gold lettering on both has some small flaws, but it does not interfer with the reading of the poem. I'm sure the gold paint was put on after the firing process, but they have been washed several times over the years and it has not affected the gold paint. In case you cannot read the poem or date and signature of the author, I am writing it all down for you on this listing. I typed as is, mispelling and all. 'Dessert* Flowers.' #2 Lord May I hold a steady hand, when friendship's seeds I'm casting, in memory's book. each blossom press. As long as life is lasting. May I not part with precious blooms of Friendship gatherd here, but cherish through eternity: Each treasured Souvenir. -Frances M. Meskimen *misspelled on plate LETTERS: No letters received. Page 4 of 7

5 Blue Ridge for Sale: (This publication is not responsible for any transactions between buyers and sellers nor the representations of items listed in this publication. The transactions are strictly between buyers and sellers. This publication is only a vehicle to connect buyers and sellers.) Martha Burt - Jacksonville, FL: I have so much Blue Ridge, maybe you could steer someone my way. I have lots of Blue Ridge for sale: set of Poinsettia; Apples; Trumpet Flower; pitchers, lots of plates and bowls, baking bowls. Big round serving bowls beautiful dishes and pitchers china pieces, etc. ( ) Emily Gordon - Tennessee: Has several pieces of Border Print pattern (teapot, covered casserole bowl, ashtray, cake plate and lifter), Charm House and rectangular individual ashtrays (shown below). largoej@charter.net Brenda & Sam Green: Many items too numerous to list here, contact Brenda & Sam Green at or bdawsonslp@aol.com to get a list. Rich Doll - New York: At an estate sale in East Aurora, NY I recently purchased a 52 piece Big Apple dinnerware set. In addition, there is a small pitcher with a different pattern, which from my internet search, I believe is Annette's Wild Rose. If you are interested, please contact me for price and itemized list. rcdolls@yahoo.com (716) " Kim Dennis "I have several boxes of Blue Ridge from my great grandmother, some of it is pristine, some crazed. I would like to sell it because, though I love it, I have no room for it. Contact: kimberliedennis@gmail.com. Gary Edmonds, BCC President, is assisting this person to sell this set of Whirligig on Colonial blank that he inherited and he wants to use the money toward his daughter's college tuition. If you are interested, please contact Gary Edmonds nabr@charter.net. Page 5 of 7

6 John and Dana Nabor have pieces of the 'Karen' pattern for sale - 6 plates and a bowl please contact ybnormal@sonic.net Wanted to Buy Blue Ridge: Anniversary Song pattern in the following pieces, flat shell, deep shell, candy box with lid, and Milady pitcher. Sandra Barefoot-Reid, sbare33467@aol.com. David Plemons wants to buy Flower Ring pattern pieces. the editor with the pieces you have, and I will contact him by phone and relay your contact information. Judy Murray wants to buy tea tiles and Alice Pitchers with unusual patterns. Contact tjmurray@frontiernet.net Shops and Malls with Blue Ridge for Sale: Haggle Shop Antique, 147 Broad Street and 154 Commerce Street, Kingsport, TN Open 7 days a week Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Sunday 1-5: Kathryn Lilley. On-line Shops: Etsy. com VisionsofYesteryear Antiquemaster.com BCC Show 2013: If you are interested in becoming a dealer at the Blue Ridge Show and Sale at the National Guard Armory, Erwin, TN for 2013, please or call we would love to have you. ATTENTION ATTENTION ATTENTION A portion of your letters and/or s including pictures may be selected for publication. Keep in mind this is a collectors' publication and sharing finds and information is how we learn a better appreciation Page 6 of 7

7 of Blue Ridge. If you DO NOT want your letters, s or photos shared, please MARK AT THE TOP NOT FOR PUBLICATION! To honor your right to privacy, I do NOT sell, trade or share subscribers' names, addresses, s or phone numbers with anyone. This information is used strictly for the purposes of notification of club activities and publishing this newsletter. I'm striving to have it issued electronically every 3 months. I need your help; please supply me with your Blue Ridge for Sale Ads; your Blue Ridge wanted to buy; your new and unusual finds with or without pictures. A brief note about your finds and any new information discoveries that can be published. Reproduction, including copying, of this publication cannot be used without written permission from the editor. Editor: Sandra P. Barefoot-Reid, Secretary, Blue Ridge Collectors' Club sbare33467@gmail.com Page 7 of 7