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Sunday, November 10, 2013

Tuesday Cuppa Tea, Veterans Day, Shelley Shape Primer Part 1

Hi there! Welcome to my blog meme Tuesday Cuppa Tea for a November chat and cuppa, my dear friends!



First of all, I want to acknowledge our veterans who have contributed so much to the stability and safety of the freedoms we have. Thank you.




Over the last several weeks, I have gotten a lot of comments on my posts, and even more emails from my blogging friends, saying they had been surprised that some of the teacups I have shared were Shelley China, as they hadn't seen the shapes I was sharing before.  So I thought you might like a bit of info on Shelley China shapes.




I'm sure most of you recognize this as a Shelley teacup, because this has been one of their most favorite shapes. Shelley China had a long and successful life through many years until their demise in 1966. They began in 1827 and were responsible for some of the most beautiful, delicate and well made china ever made in England.  The cup above is in the Dainty shape which was made from 1896 to the pottery closure in 1966, with hundreds of different patterns, trims and combinations of patterns.  This is the Rosebud pattern, one of the most popular. It was made also with gold trim and pink trim.




I have shared this teacup before, because I love it. The shape here is Stratford which was made in the 1950-1960s, and is not as well known. The pattern is Wild Rose, and was also made with gold trim.



This is one of my favorite shapes, Gainsborough. The shape was made from 1899 through 1966. This particular pattern is Sheraton, which was also made in green, pink and yellow, although this is my favorite...you know how I love blue!  This is actually the first Shelley China cup and pattern I ever saw and identified, among teacups given my by my Grandmother Emma Bridgewater...her photo is on the left sidebar of the blog...when I was 16...I was hooked, and have collected ever since!



Shelley patterns and shapes have gone in and out of style in the 30+ years I have been collecting and dealing in them. Chintz patterns were very big in the 1980-1990s, and the Oleander shape, which you see here, is just waning as the last fad shape.  This is the Summer Glory Chintz pattern, which came in several different colorways, with various trim types. The shape was made from 1941 to 1966.



This version, called Low Oleander, doesn't have the pedestal and came before the Oleander above. The Low Oleander shape was made from 1912 to 1914 and then again from 1941 until 1966 when the pottery closed. This is the Harebell pattern which was also made with gold trim.



Lastly for this post, so you don't get bored, is the Ludlow shape, which was made from 1949 to 1966. The pattern names is Hulme's Rose, named for the pattern designer . It was made with different trim as well.

Okay...hope you managed to stay awake through that. I must tell you that Shelley made close to 200 different shapes during their time. 

There are some I have never seen!  The patterns are in the thousands as well!  I am called a Shelley specialist, have been in a number of antique and collectible magazines and guides, and have about 125 Shelley teacups on my Time Was Antiques website, my oldest online site that I opened in 2002 when we still had our bricks-and-mortar antique shop.  The examples here are available at Antiques And Teacups

So...let me know if you want to see more Shelley shapes. I'd be glad to, as they are my passion, but I don't want to bore you with something you might not be interested in. So let me know!



My wood sign is up by the front door now....I made this a few years ago following something I saw at Michael's, and it turned out pretty well!



I'll end with this great photo I found that was unattributed of a woman with her cuppa in 1941 during the blitz...sometimes the first step of restoration and piece comes with a cuppa...

Here is the linky for your tea related posts, and please let me know with a comment if you want more Shelley shapes or not. I am joining the blogs below...and many others. Visit them if you can..they are fab!


Monday Marketplace
Terri~  http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/ 
Teacup Tuesday
Trisha~  http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/ 
Tea Party Tuesday
Teatime Tuesday
Tea With Celia
Kathy~  http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
Victoria - A Return to Loveliness
Tea On Tuesday
Miss Kathy ~http://www.thewritersreverie.com/
Tuesday Tea       
Tea On Tuesday
Tea Tuesday
Tea On Tuesday
Bernideen’s ~ http://blog.bernideens.com/
Tea In The Garden Tuesday
Lavender Cottage  Tea Time
Playing With My Camera Teatime           
Tuesday Blog Shop
Poetry In A Pot Of Tea

What’s It Wednesday                                           
Home On Wednesday

14 comments:

  1. Oh, yes indeed, PLEASE give us more info on the Shelley shapes! For instance, I have a "Dainty Pink" sugar and creamer, but I always thought "Dainty" was just a pattern name, never realized it was a shape as well. This is definitely not boring information!

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  2. Good morning Ruth,
    Your Shelley teacups are all so beautiful and have a such pretty shapes. I like the Dainty shape best, I think. I am having trouble linking up. I've been trying for fifteen minutes but it doesn't appear to be working. I will have to come back later. Hope you're having a lovely day.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  3. Hi Ruth,
    All of your teacups that you have shared today are so elegant. I love the mauve one. Thank you for hosting Tuesday Cuppa Tea. Have a wonderful week! Take care,
    Karen

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  4. You won't ever bore me with blog posts about Shelley china. Keep them coming!
    Shelley is so beautiful and I love seeing the shapes I never knew existed. ~ Phyllis

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  5. Hi Ruth, I love seeing your beautiful Shelley teacups. Please continue to share them.

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  6. Hello Ruth,
    I am enjoying your post about Shelley. They have some of the most gorgeous china I have ever see. So many different shapes and styles. I only have two Shelley's myself.
    So it I am happy to see all you want to share : )
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  7. Hi Ruth - Yes! I am a Shelley fan and usually recognize them by the soft pastel shades on the handles. At least, whenever I see one like that it usually turns out to be a Shelley. So sad it had to close. Love all the variety and yet such sleek and sophisticated designs.
    Joy!
    Kathy

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  8. Ruth ... great post thanks for sharing about these fabulous teacups .. they are all lovely especially loving the Gainsborough - one loving the blue and details. Thank you for hosting .. hugs, C. (HHL)

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  9. P.S. especially loving that lat photo ~ a cup of tea certainly helps you get through anything... xo

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  10. Greetings Ruth …I'm truly appreciating your info on " Shelley" ….I love the whimsical designs and shapes..Please do continue…. Marvellous people of the the lady with her cup….Thanks for sharing..Hugs

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  11. Hi Ruth: I love the Shelley you pictured today and I always love seeing more. That is my vote. Sending hugs and thank you for praying for my son. Blessings, Martha

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  12. I am smitten with your Summer Glory Chintz pattern. I'll have to keep an eye out to purchase myself a pretty Shelley teacup.

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  13. Hello Ruth, these Shelley teacups are absolutey gorgeous - love the Oleander one! I am delighted that you shared with A Return to Loveliness,
    Kathy

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  14. I found this post very interesting. I do not own any Shelley teacups , but I now have an appreciation and starter education of them.

    The last picture of the woman sipping tea on a pile of Blitz rubble broke my heart & encouraged me at the same time. Something about a cuppa is restorative. And why not sip ( or gulp ) tea from a nice teacup when all the world seems determined to go to ..., well, a not so nice place. Seems a good and simple place to start again to restore a bit of decency and build up !

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