JANE AUSTEN, "EMMA" & WEDGWOOD

On this beautiful fall morning here in the midwest we find the Internet abuzz with the news of the December 16th (appropriately the anniversary of Austen's birth) auction at Sotheby's London of a first edition of Jane Austen's novel "Emma" given to her fellow author Maria Edgeworth and a wonderful set of Wedgwood bone china dinnerware from the Austen family. It is apparently rare that Austen memorabilia and artifacts come to market, and isn't it nice that there is a Wedgwood connection! Jane wrote to her sister Cassandra of the visit to "Wedgwood's" to pick out the china. Given how poorly the china market is doing it will be interesting to see how much the sale of the china realizes; surely it will be bought for its Austen connection, not because some young wealthy entrepreneur wants to buy china! I'm sure he wouldn't get it at a bargain at Sotheby's but don't forget, all bone china at Alexis Antiques right now is 25% off, so there are bargains to be had! Click this post title to go to one article about the sale with more details.

Here is a link to an interesting blog about Jane Austen and if you go to the links to the blogger's other articles, especially the link nearest the bottom of the page, you'll learn more about the Wedgwood china and this blogger's commentary on Wedgwood & Sons. This blogger has great insight into the subject of Jane Austen, and the Wedgwood connection adds interest for those of us who treasure every pearl of Wedgwoodiana we can spot!

CHEROKEE CLAY

Not being an expert on this subject, I cannot say this article is 100% accurate, but from what I do know it appears to be a nice short introduction to the subject of clay used by Josiah which was dug in North Carolina and shipped to him in Stoke-on-Trent, a long way to go to obtain clay! There is one mis-spelling, and no excuse for it since it's a Wedgwood article! And the author needs to learn how to punctuate properly, as most of his references to articles and books are incorrectly stated, however, as said, it's a nice article of local interest and I didn't spot any glaring errors. Enjoy!

WATCH A VIDEO ABOUT THE MUSEUM MADNESS

The madness surrounding the Wedgwood Museum Trust and the Pension Fund is becoming more and more annoying. According to our sources, the probable court date is now pushed out to March or April. Check this interview with Alison Wedgwood in the new video by clicking the title of this post. As a Museum donor, I'm wondering if we will be allowed to request that our donations be returned to us, rather than being sold. Wouldn't that make this idiot government look stupid!? What a waste of valuable time and resources which could be accomplishing something GOOD for the world instead of such useless, destructive activity!!
Here is another article, with links to more, on the subject as a reaction to Alison Wedgwood's interview with BBC.

SIR MARTIN WEDGWOOD PASSES AWAY

Sir Martin Wedgwood was an Honorary Board Member of the Wedgwood International Seminar, a valued member of the Wedgwood family still active in all things "Wedgwood" and a wonderful Englishman. He and Lady Sandra's home in Surrey is a beautiful place indeed, characteristically British with gardens, lovely antiques and stunning Wedgwood of course. Being in their home [in 2003 not 2005 as typed on the document] was an American girl's fantasy come true. Sir Martin has passed away as you can read in this note to the WIS President from Sir Martin's brother Julian:

Wednesday afternoon - 13th October 2010. A dull grey day over London.

Dear Lovely people;
Yesterday very early in the new day [10/12/10] (0110hrs) my brother Martin died as a direct result of prostate cancer discovered a year ago. He was taken into the East Surrey Hospital last Wednesday when a very large cist/growth was discovered beneath his lung. The cancer had progressed at great speed to his lungs. He died very peacefully in his sleep. Please contact those who would like to know. Many thanks to all. Julian.

Go here to read Sir Martin's obituary in the UK Telegraph. May you rest in peace Martin and know you are missed.

Taking Tea - a quick overview of the history

Here is a recent article on an old subject, the history of tea drinking in Great Britain. The author of this article comes on as if she has discovered some new history about tea and tea drinking, but I don't see any new information. However it is a nice, concise overview of the history and illustrated is a gorgeous Wedgwood Rosso Antico silver overlay teapot - perhaps worth the time to click the post title to read the article from this morning's UK Daily Mail.

Adele's At it Again

dele Barnett, founder of the Wedgwood Society of Washington, DC and my good galpal, has written an excellent article on Wedgwood collecting. Even if the article was terrible, her photos are spectacular! Of course, her writing is never terrible!! In fact she frequently writes on Wedgwood subjects and remains as the Editor of The Capitol Wedgwoodian, the excellent communication tool of the WSWDC, even though her stellar term as President of WSWDC has ended. Click the title of this post to read Adele's recent article and enjoy the lovely color photos! Adele has a way of putting our Wedgwood collecting disease in such good light, our hats are off to you! It takes a moment or two to download as it's a large pdf file, so be patient, Josiah will greet you shortly!

10-10-10 LONDON'S REVAMPED SAVOY HOTEL OPENS WITH NEW WEDGWOOD

"In truth, the new Savoy was never going to be cutting edge, as it was in 1930 when the chairman, Rupert D’Oyly Carte, said the hotel “is always up-to-date and, if possible, a little ahead”. But it is, once again, genuinely grand, and it’s hard not to be impressed by a hotel that has 51,000 pieces of china specially made by Wedgwood to exactly match the paint on the walls." [Celadon is the new color scheme in the dinnerware and for some of the decorating.]

Click the title of this post to read the full article about the upcoming reopening of the fabulous Savoy Hotel in London, one of my personal favorite hotels. It sounds absolutely fantastic and for us Wedgwoodians, a new china pattern to explore! I am not sure I'll like it as well as the most recent pattern, Royal Barge! But it does make me wonder where all the "old" china went, if you know, please do COMMENT and let us know!

Above is a quick glimpse of the new Wedgwood for the Savoy, 146 shape sugar bowl and Peony shape cups - it can't be all bad! What better combination than Wedgwood, high tea and The Savoy!
Below is the old pattern, I have some that I've bought as souvenirs of London trips, I guess now I'll hold on to it! 'Royal Barge' was designed by Lady Robertson in 1939.

A ROSE IS A ROSE IS A WEDGWOOD ROSE

IF YOU ARE A ROSE GARDENER AND A WEDGWOOD FAN, START PLANNING YOUR SPRING GARDEN NOW WITH THIS LOVELY NEW ROSE. CLICK THE POST TITLE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE ORIGINS OF THIS NEW DAVID AUSTIN ROSE AND HOW TO BUY IT. WEDGWOOD & SONS DIDN'T INTRODUCE PINK JASPER UNTIL THE EARLY 1980'S BUT OF COURSE PINK HAS BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE COLORWAYS OF MANY DINNERWARE PATTERNS OVER MANY YEARS. EVEN THOUGH WE USUALLY THINK OF WEDGWOOD BLUE, THERE IS WEDGWOOD PINK - THESE ROSES IN A PINK JASPER VASE WOULD BE DELICIOUSLY BEAUTIFUL!

"Rosa ‘The Wedgwood Rose’ (Ausjosiah) – Approximately 70 petals. Repeat-flowering. A charming old rose-style beauty with medium to large blooms and soft rose pink petals that have a delicate, gossamer-like quality. The flowers have a lovely fruity fragrance on the outer petals, with a clove-like scent at the center. Its ample foliage is dark green and glossy. This rose particularly excels when trained as a climber but is also lovely as a flowering shrub. The bush is exceptionally robust with luxuriant, healthy foliage, sending up plentiful shoots from the base to form a large arching shrub that trains readily on trellises and arches to climb upright or in arching or fanned positions. Named for the famous English pottery company founded by Josiah Wedgwood in 1759. Grows to approximately 5 feet x 5 feet. Will grow to 10 feet high as a climber. Hardy in USDA zones 5 – 9."

WEDGWOOD MAJOLICA & SHELLS STILL ROCK

Click the title of this post to see the results of yesterday's Kadison collection auction at Skinner, Inc. in Boston. This blog addresses only the Majolica, which sold for handsome prices, proving that the Majolica 'fad' is not yet waning! The blog also shows some gorgeous pink pearlware seashell dessert service pieces and others like those we have for sale. Scroll down the majolica blog for great photos and let us know if we can help you with any of the shell items in our inventory.