Dr. Keith Mc Leod, educator and Wedgwood expert dies in Canada

The Wedgwood world-wide community has lost a great member recently.  Keith was a powerful force in the Wedgwood International Seminar for many years, directing our Seminars, making superb arrangements, encouraging collectors and editing and publishing the Seminar Proceedings for many years.  Here is the announcement received today from friend Lynn Miller, retired Curator at the Wedgwood Museum in Barlaston:

"I returned this afternoon from my mother's to a most unexpected email advising
me that Keith McLeod had died suddenly on fourth December. We knew he had been
ill for many years, and that recently he had to move into a home to receive care
and attention. As a gentleman who lived independently for so many
years, traveling the world and being an intrepid traveler, this must have been
tiresome for him. I understand that he was active until the end, and had been
traveling to hear a concert when he was taken ill, probably from a stroke, and
that he passed away in hospital.

His love of all things Wedgwood, and his support of the Museum and Wedgwood
International Seminar will long be remembered, and I know that his friends and
colleagues world wide will miss him greatly. I know I will."

Keith was a big help to me in preparing the two lectures I gave at WIS seminars for publication; his view of American university format for end-notes and mine were often at loggerheads, and he usually won because HE was the Editor!  He will indeed be missed. Thank you to Alan Erickson for forwarding this message. 
His obituary can be found here:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestar/obituary.aspx?n=keith-mcleod-phd&pid=173456195&fhid=9911

CURRENT WEDGWOOD EXHIBIT IN RUSSIA

There is currently a great exhibition of Wedgwood wares on display in Russia! I highly recommend visiting this site, even if for no other reason than the photos of the Wedgwood are gorgeous! The URL takes one to a video, worth the few moments it will take to watch!
http://uatoday.tv/entertainment/large-collection-of-wedgwood-porcelain-on-display-in-moscow-392382.html Of course the title of the article is incorrect, it is not "porcelain" on display, but check it out, you'll see what it is! ENJOY!  We'd love to hear from you if you are lucky enough to go to Russia to see this exhibit, we'd love to have a report from you to post for others.

LADY LEVER ART GALLERY PORT SUNLIGHT GARNERS NEW FUNDS

News of the recent award of Heritage Lottery Funds to the Lady Lever Gallery at Port Sunlight in Liverpool is most welcome to those of us who have had the privilege of visiting that wonderful gallery.  The article says it's the world's greatest collection of jasperware, which surprised me.  I can't dispute it because I do not know that statistic, but I believe other repositories likely have equally extensive collections of jasperware.  The most outstanding memory I have from my visit there were the very large oval Queensware plaques hand painted by George Stubbs.  They grace the walls of one of the galleries and it was amazing to stand in front of them and take in the beauty of Stubbs' incredible ability to portray the majestic horses.  The other amazing thing is that I am probably the only Beatles fan who went to Liverpool and saw NO Beatles sites!!!
Enjoy this article and the photos!

MARTHA STEWART, WEDGWOOD AND FROGS - WHAT A COMBO

In 2009 Alexis Antiques lent Piers, Lord Wedgwood and Martha Stewart the Catherine Ice Pail in the Wedgwood Frog Service reproduction set for her show celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the Wedgwood company.  Just today, through the Wedgwood Society of New South Wales, we learned the URL of the episode on which our ice pail appeared.  
If you click here you will see [this link will not work, please read below] some icons at the bottom, go to the second one from the left, the picture of the dark blue vase with the words Wedgwood Pottery underneath, click that and watch.  Martha talks about a gorgeous epergne which was in the 250th anniversary exhibit but then you will see the segment with her and Piers discussing Wedgwood, and you'll see the ice pail.   We purchased it from the Wedgwood folks in Australia, it came to us in St. Louis, went to NY and came back, then was sold to a collector in Australia, so it's had a long journey from the Wedgwood factory at Barlaston, Stoke on Trent!!!  They are rare, this one is #14 of a worldwide limited edition of 50.  The scene illustrated is Caerlaverock Castle & Falls, Blair Castle, Scotland.

www.marthastewart.com/998142/wedgwood-dish-patterns#998139

No matter what I do the link above will not take one to the video but you can copy and paste this URL into your browser and get it.  I can get to it easily this way, but for some reason the "If you click here you will see" link  at the beginning of this post simply will not work!

RARE STATUE OF JUPITER OR ZEUS BY WEDGWOOD - ON DISPLAY SOON

From one of our favorite UK publications, The Stoke Sentinel, comes an interesting article today about this statue which is very rare and beautiful.  Having visited The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, I am always amazed at their holdings, not just the Wedgwood of course, but the huge variety of ceramics in their holdings.  No trip to the Potteries should fail to include this Museum in Hanley, and if you are headed to the UK, later this month will be the time to visit The Potteries Museum.  See the article with lots of information about this gorgeous rendition of Jupiter, aka Zeus.  If any of our readers have one of these statues, we'd love to hear about it!  Send us an email!

ANOTHER REPORT ON WEDGWOOD MUSEUM SITUATION

Here is a good article from The Sentinel, one of my favorite UK publications, which explains the involvement of WWRD in the past and current situation surrounding the Wedwood Museum Trust.  It is self-explanatory and succinct.  Hope you enjoy catching up with the current status.

WEDGWOOD MUSEUM TRUST BACK IN THE NEWS - DONATIONS IMPORTANT

From the UK Telegraph comes one of the better articles I have seen in the past week or so about the new push to finish up raising the remainder of the funds needed to secure the future of the Museum treasures.  Check it out here, and make note of the beautiful illustrations.  At the end of the article is a link to a fund-raising site to help with the raising of the money. Thanks to my friend in England, Mary Beardmore, for sharing this link

with me.

Liverpool means many different things! Wedgwood and Beatles!

The Lady Lever Museum in Liverpool holds a fabulous collection of Wedgwood, Stubbs paintings and much else of beauty and quality.  AND it's in Liverpool!  SO this aging Beatles fan goes to Liverpool a few years ago and sees NOT a SINGLE Beatles site....but the Wedgwood and Stubbs at the Museum might just have made it all worthwhile.  If you have a chance, be sure to see the Museum's holdings, you won't be disappointed.  On the other hand, if you can see some Beatles sites too, it might be the trip of a lifetime!  You can go here to explore the Museum, and I bet anyone can find plenty of places to go to find the Beatles!  Robin Emmerson is a charming gentleman, his lecture on Weds. is sure to be a great one!

Lever's Wedgwood at Lady Lever Art Gallery - Wednesday September 3, 6-7.30pm, FREE

Take a trip to the idyllic setting of Lady Lever Art Gallery in Port Sunlight - home to one of the world's great Wedgwood collections.
On Wednesday, internationally-renowned Wedgwood expert Robin Emmerson will be holding a free talk revealing the secrets behind William Hesketh Lever's astonishing collection.
Visitors can also enjoy a complimentary glass of wine or soft drink on arrival at 6pm.

Metropolitan Museum of Art holds interesting Wedgwood source documents

THIS LINK will lead our readers to an interesting drawing by John Flaxman, a source document for a Wedgwood tile decoration.  Click on the two links below the main display (object information) to see further information.  This drawing was donated in 1961 to The Met.  A shame that it wasn't donated to the Wedgwood Museum, as that would be the best place for source documents of Wedgwood designs to accumulate in this student's opinion, however, we all know donors can donate where they wish.  Unfortunately the person who annotated the drawing was afflicted with that stubborn, seemingly incurable disease we call "can't-read-or-spell-itis" - 'Wedgwood' contains that dratted incorrect, annoying extra E!  The RELATED OBJECTS tab will show the reader several more similar tiles after John Flaxman.  Wouldn't it be wonderful to see the fireplace around which these tiles resided????

BEAUTIFUL VIDEO SPANS THE CAREER OF PIERS, LORD WEDGWOOD OF BARLASTON

Presented by Waterford, Wedgwood, Royal Doulton, this video was created upon the occasion of their Memorial Service for Lord Wedgwood.  Enjoy the beautiful photos... Piers loved bright, but elegant clothing, and had a wonderful sense of humor...his beautiful smile accompanies many images of his life of service to his family and family's historic company.  Enjoy the video!

UK SPCA BADGE OF OFFICE SURFACES at WEDGWOOD, BARLASTON

 

Staffordshire Parish Councils Association

             

    Established in 1939 just before the outbreak of war, the SPCA is believed to be the senior County Association of Local Councils in England.  The aim was to be a source of up-to-date information for Parish Councils and Town Councils to promote good local government and grassroots democracy.  It also provided a network of communication and lobbied on behalf of Parish Councils to represent their interests and offered free legal and financial advice.

   In 1998, a decision was made to commission two badges of office from Josiah Wedgwood & Sons, one each for the President and Chairman.  The badges, in Teal Green Jasper, feature a modified logo with the letters SPCA replaced on the scroll with the office-holder's title in gold.  The example illustrated is the President's badge of office and was discovered at Barlaston during an office clear out.  Further enquiries established that the office-holders are in possession of their badges and that this badge is a duplicate, either made as an insurance against accidents in firing or, possibly, not meeting the required standard (it has a minute chip on the reverse edge).  Whatever the reason, it was put away and its existence forgotten until now.

  With thanks to Mr Andrew McRae, CEO of the SPCA, for kindly providing information.

 

Thank you to Lord Anthony Pulford of Glencoe, Scotland for the research on this interesting Wedgwood item, and for allowing us to publish it here! 

WEDGWOOD in England, REBIRTH EXAMINED - SUCCESS EXPECTED

From our favorite UK newspaper comes an interesting, current appraisal of the coming changes at the Wedgwood factory in Barlaston and the surrounding area.  Having visited the Museum, it's difficult to imagine that anyone can improve it, but it appears plans are in the wings to make it even better.

Check out the plans and views of The Sentinel columnist and see what you think!

PRINCE CHARLES TRUST HELPING SAVE A STOKE ON TRENT TREASURE

One of my favorite Staffordshire buildings is the Wedgwood Institute in Burslem, and here we learn that Prince Charles is helping to save this wonderful, historic building.  Check out the news here:  http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Prince-s-Regeneration-Trust-transform-Burslem-s/story-21266600-detail/story.html
If one googles around, a great deal of information about this building and its history and architecture is available.  Enjoy!

WEDGWOOD FAMILY HAD OTHER STARS - THOMAS' PHOTOGRAPHY

Most of us Wedgwood students know that Thomas Wedgwood is considered an important pioneer in the early discovery and development of photography, writing with light, but many others may not know this.  From yesterday's Birmingham (UK) Post comes an interesting article about Tom's early discovery and a story about the original photo he took.  The article is not too long and very enlightening, pardon the pun!

One can easily Google around to learn more about the early history of photography and the Wedgwood name will frequently appear.  We all know Josiah was a man of science but many may be surprised to learn his son Thomas was as well.

WEDGWOOD PRODUCES LORD WEDGWOOD PORTRAIT MEDALLION

From the Wedgwood & Sons Facebook page comes this lovely photograph of the commemorative Portrait Medallion produced to celebrate the life of the late Lord Wedgwood, Piers Anthony Weymouth Wedgwood, 4th Baron Wedgwood.  Should you be interested in purchasing this medallion, please contact airwedg@aol.com for information.  The company will be offering them for sale also, but we do not know exactly when or where, watch their Facebook page.

WEDGWOOD BUTTONS, FASCINATING FASTENERS

A recent article in the Webster-Kirkwood (MO) Times, the local paper of the town where I grew up, prompted me to search in my library for my books on buttons.  I once inherited a collection of old buttons from an elderly dressmaker here in St. Louis, but other than that have never been a collector of buttons. I have had in my own collection, and bought and sold in my business, many of the Wedgwood jasper buttons given out over the years as the attendance favor at Wedgwood International Seminars.  The WKT article tells about Missouri collectors and the Missouri State Button Society which can be reached at www.missouristatebuttonsociety.org.  The article relates some of the interesting history of buttons, a needed tool we pretty much take for granted in today's sophisticated high-tech world! Go here to read the article in full and see more illustrations.

While buttons began in use long before the 1700s, relatively few existing today are much over 300 years old.  Early buttons were used by men as personal adornment, limited only by their means.  Wedgwood jasper buttons certainly would fill that bill!  Until about 1840, women's clothes were fastened with hooks, laces and ties.  Men's buttons were made of metal, shell, cut stone, porcelain, wood, glass and leather.  Since the end of the Civil War button manufacturing in USA became a more important business since by then buttons were considered ornamentation for women's clothing as well as for men's. Women's buttons were, and in some cases are still, made of mother-of-pearl, shell, china, horn, bone and ivory.  During Victorian times small black glass buttons were very popular with women, in imitation of the black 'jet' worn by Queen Victoria after Albert's death.  There is a National Button Society, organized in 1938 and today has over 3300 members. [Thank you to St. Louis area button collector Shirley Case who furnished some of the information for this post and for bringing her buttons to the talk at which I met her.]

The February 1964 edition of The American Wedgwoodian, a publication of the Wedgwood International Seminar, has a very well-illustrated and informative article specifically about Wedgwood buttons by the authors of The Button Sampler by Lillian Smith Albert and Jane Ford Adams.  Another book which offers sections on Wedgwood buttons is The Collector's Encyclopedia of Buttons by Sally C. Luscomb, with Wedgwood buttons illustrated on the cover as well as in the article.  If you are a novice Wedgwood collector or experienced button collector, or somewhere in between, and buttons and Wedgwood interest you, these publications would be worth finding. Contact us through our website for a copy of the TAW article mentioned here. And a hint for you jewelry buffs, the WIS buttons make up as spectacular jewelry when mounted in interesting custom settings!

Photo courtesy Mrs. Sara Branton, buttons, private collection.

WEDGWOOD INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR HELD IN U. S. CAPITAL

Here is the recent POST SEMINAR PRESS RELEASE giving great information about the recent event in the Washington, DC area and how to join in the learning and fun of WIS at future Seminars.  The Publicity Chairman is our great friend Adele Barnett, Founder and former President of the Wedgwood Society of Washington, DC.

May 2014
Wedgwood – A Capital Affair
For the 59th year, Wedgwood enthusiasts gathered for the annual international conference
in late April, and as always, it did not disappoint. Held in Alexandria, Virginia, just
across the river from the U.S. capital city, attendees from all over America, Canada and
Australia enjoyed the wide range of activities the Wedgwood International Seminar
had to offer. The word “seminar” might illicit images of an academic setting – but it’s
somewhat of a misnomer these days. Indeed, these conferences offer lectures from
curators, professors, and other scholars, but there are equally as many presented by
collectors and students of Wedgwood. And there is much more that comprises the fourday
program as well, all of which makes the event appealing to a wide audience.
The 2014 agenda provided talks on subjects that ranged from the ancient Etruscan
influence on Wedgwood to life at the potteries in the 18th century to Wedgwood wares at
the World’s Fair to lamps from oil to light bulbs, and more. Also among the highlights of
the seminars are tours of public and private collections on display. This year two
members opened their homes for viewing of spectacular Wedgwood. The range of wares
demonstrated the wide appeal and reach of Wedgwood – from hundreds of plaques
decorating walls, to curios holding thousands of jasper objects, to smalls comprised of
tobacciana, mugs, and decanters to royalty wares, tiles, and magnificent planters.
This year’s seminar also paid tribute to the late Lord Wedgwood who passed away early
in the year and who was a supporter of the WIS and other Wedgwood-related
organizations. There was sufficient time built in for visits to sites in Washington, Mount
Vernon, and other museums and landmarks. Also of particular note was the fabulous and
abundant food at the lunches, breaks and dinners at the host hotel. And lastly, to satisfy
that buying itch, each night four dealers offered for sale virtually every type of
Wedgwood imaginable from prices that attracted the novice, as well as lured the
seasoned collector.
What sets Wedgwood apart from most other collectibles and artifact categories is the vast
range of wares from 18th century to current production, from highly decorative to useful,
and from price points of under $5 to more than five–figures. There is truly something for
everyone, regardless of one’s tastes, area of interest, collecting sophistication, or budget.
And the WIS caters to all these groups.

In addition to learning about and viewing Wedgwood, attendees enjoy the interaction and reunions with
the friendly and inviting fellow-collectors, both old- and first-timers. The WIS extends an invitation to
join its organization. In addition to access to the seminar, the annual $35 membership fee ($50 for family)
covers the WIS Proceedings – an annual publication of all the lectures delivered that year. One also may
wish to explore the several regional Wedgwood societies who conduct meetings 6-12 times per year at
their local venues. Check the WIS website links page for the list by visiting:
www.wedgwoodinternationalseminar.org.

The 60th Wedgwood International Seminar will be held April 22-25, 2015, at the Birmingham (Alabama)
Museum of Art, which houses the largest collection of Wedgwood outside the UK. Again, check the WIS
site for more information as it unfolds. This seminar is shaping up to be one of the most memorable.
Wedgwood International Seminar
INCORPORATED
Officers
President
Cyndi Andrews, CA
First Vice President
Mickey D. Hightower, TX
Second Vice President
Ellis F. Rubin, PA
Treasurer
Michael T. Smith, CA
Recording Secretary
Anne Forschler-Tarrasch, AL
Board of Governors
Adele I. Barnett, VA
Alan Erickson, MO
Jeffrey Hoffman, MA
Lorraine C. Horn*, MA
Edward L. Knowles, MD
Paul H. Lauer, CT
Sandra Olubas, OH
Nancy Ramage, NY
Robert J. Reichner, IL
Gaye Blake Roberts, UK
Stuart Slavid, MA
*******
Director of Seminars
Mickey D. Hightower, TX
Proceedings Editor & Archivist
Anne Forschler-Tarrasch, AL
Public Relations Chairman
Adele I. Barnett, VA
Curatorial Consultant
Gaye Blake Roberts, UK
Webmaster
Alan Ericson, MO
Honorary Board
Daisy Wade Bridges*, NC
Earl L. Buckman*, TX
Frank Coleman, NC
Alvin Kanter, IL
Keith McLeod*, CAN
Muriel D. Polikoff*, PA
* Past President

NEW WEDGWOOD FACTORY YOUTUBE VIDEO SHOWS PRODUCTION

This morning I am amazed to have watched an excellent video just released by Pathe News produced by the Wedgwood factory years ago. In this video you will see the actual production of Jasper items as well as bone china and Queens Ware.  The story moves along quickly as you watch actual employees at their daily work.  This is a not to miss opportunity to learn quite a bit about how those items we all love are made! ENJOY  Click here for real treat!

WEDGWOOD YOUTUBE VIDEO EXCELLENT LEARNING TOOL

Over the years many have asked me how the decorative reliefs, also called ornamentation, on Wedgwood jasper products are created and applied to the body of the item.  There is no better explanation of how the reliefs are created than seeing it for yourself, so you might want to CLICK HERE to see just how it's done!  The term we normally use for the application of the reliefs is "sprigging", and you'll see that word often, "sprigged relief" is a term to describe the ornamentation on jasperware bodies,  so

here's how it's done, enjoy!  You can go here to see lots more examples of sprigged relief on jasper!

SHAKESPEARE AT 450 - CELEBRATE WITH A WEDGWOOD GIFT

April 26th will be the 450th anniversary of the baptism of William Shakespeare in Stratford upon Avon.  His exact birthdate is unknown, frequently it is celebrated on April 23rd, St. George's Day, but suffice it to say, this month is his 450th!  Why not celebrate with a little Wedgwood tray with his profile in pale blue and white jasper, or a great tankard with a Shakespeare plays theme?  You can go here to see what we have in stock. 

EXCELLENT NEW WEDGWOOD EXHIBIT IN FLORIDA

One of my all-time favorite Wedgwood Majolica pieces is his huge Swan vase.  See it in the flesh from now until 12/31/14 at the Plant Museum in Tampa, Florida.  This is a rare opportunity to see some of the finest Wedgwood examples in this hemisphere!  Our friend Anne Forschler Tarrash will be presenting there in May.  If you are going to be on the West Coast of Florida, DO NOT miss this exhibit!  Check out the website for all the latest information on the exhibit and the museum.  http://www.plantmuseum.comThe exhibit is called The Pottery of Wedgwood, a fabulous opportunity for us in the USA to see great Wedgwood.  For those elsewhere in the South, the Birmingham Museum of Art, from whom some of the objects at the Plant are on loan, houses the largest collection of Wedgwood outside England, worth the trouble to visit again and again, you never see the same things twice, because it is so difficult to take it all in!

A NEW VENUE FOR WEDGWOOD PATTERNS

Here we have a lovely new take on Wedgwood design; we've seen many things in the past such as rugs, biscuit tins, cakes, fabrics for draperies and table linens, notepaper, and all manor of other items.  In this instance it is refreshing to see a young person taking her cue from Wedgwood china patterns.  You'll likely recognize the Wedgwood inspired dress right away.  Enjoy!

Wedgwood Peter Rabbit Nurseryware ushers in the Easter Season

What is there more endearing than Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit and his friends?  And Wedgwood & Sons has produced a great deal of chinawares featuring Beatrix' characters over the years.  The one illustrated here is a plate from 1959 to 1964, early Peter Rabbit Nurseryware.  The pattern number is N527 and is only the second version of the pattern.  The lines adorning the plate between the characters are a light green.  Later versions were pink and blue, the green was discontinued in the mid 1960s.  If you go here you will see other Peter Rabbit items which might delight your youngster this time of year, or the grown-ups who collect this delightful Wedgwood collectible china.

Anthony Neil Wedgwood Benn passes away in London today.

One of the United Kingdom's longest serving politicians died earlier today in London.  He liked to be known as Tony Benn but his full name was Anthony Neil Wedgwood Benn.
  
His father was William Wedgwood Benn b. May 1877 and his parents in turn were John Benn and Lily Pickstone.  The name Wedgwood entered the family because Lily was a distant relative of Josiah I.  To learn more about the amazing Tony Benn, google around, Wikipedia has a nice article about him.  Another in a long line of Wedgwoods who have taken life by the horns and run with it, stirring up the dust as they went, just like our beloved Josiah I and our friend, the late Piers, Lord Wedgwood of Barlaston.  May Tony rest in peace and love.  Thank you to Lord Pulford of Scotland, really a Brit not a Scot, for alerting me to this latest death in the greater Wedgwood world.

I have just found an interesting blog entry regarding Mr. Benn which gives more biographical information about his family.  See it here.

Wedgwood's CORNUCOPIA bone china pattern

Alexis Antiques has two lovely pieces in this popular and elegant bone china pattern.  This was the late Lord  Wedgwood's china pattern, used by Lady Wedgwood and him in their beautiful US home and a favorite of many others around the world.  Click HERE to see the pieces we have currently in stock. 

WEDGWOOD WEBSITE OFFERS ACCURATE INFORMATION

Unfortunately there is a lot of erroneous information about all facets of the Wedgwood subject all over the Internet.  Ebay is full of huge errors and just plain stupidity on the subject.  MANY websites contain glaring errors.  If one wants to learn about Wedgwood go to well-known and respected sites.  Ours is one such site, we have been selling Wedgwood for nearly 20 years, but more than that, studying it, writing about it, collecting it and enjoying it for over 50 years.  Here is another good source of accurate information - there are some good snippets of accurate historic information there.  I will be the first to point out that the Wedgwood company's own websites frequently contain gross errors, but this site and the Wedgwood Museum site usually have good, accurate information.  Give them a try!