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.