Collectors Quest » teapots

A Purr-fect Collectible – My Miss Priss Teapot

Val Ubell — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 07:53:29 +0000

If you have followed my blogs, you know that I am a heavy-duty collector of ‘pots.’, This includes items such as coffee pots and teapots and water pitchers too. I have shelves full of them, and in all sorts of shapes, ages, by various makers and with unique subject matters. But whenever I ask the grandkids “which one is your favorite?” they all say “that cute cat one” (except for the just-2-year-old, Nicholas, who points and exclaims “meowwww.”) I must admit, it’s one of my most beloved ones as well.

Made by Lefton China in Japan, from 1964-1973, there were a lot of different pieces in the Miss Priss pattern. I have seen a cookie jar, creamer and sugar, and salt and pepper shakers. I’ve never seen one, but I hear that there are tidbit trays with two or three sections. (Would love to find one of those.) They also made a wall pocket, milk pitcher, tea bag holder, nut dish, mug, butter dish, egg cup, and two sizes of head vases. (I found these items in a Kovel’s on-line site.)

This past weekend we were in an antique mall in Minnesota and I found one cream pitcher and sugar bowl set. It was $75 so I promptly put it back. Prices on the Internet vary but they are generally below that amount. Teapots go for anywhere from $70 to $120, depending on condition, number of interested bidders, etc.

The Geo. Zoltan Lefton Company has imported pottery, porcelain, glass and other wares intended for sale in the USA since 1940 and is still in business. You’ve probably seen a lot of examples of their products. Hubert the Lion bank (wire-rimmed glasses, holding an umbrella) is another well-known piece. They’re also well-known for their cookie jars such as a Christmas elf, Blue Bird and Girl in a bunny suit. Numerous figurines also show their mark and I recall a lot of bright green and red ‘holly’ items. (My mother-in-law once owned a whole set of these.)

Being a long-time collector and also ‘dealing in antiques’, I rarely pay full price for anything. I got my Miss Priss teapot when purchasing a ‘lot’ – a boxful of items at an auction. I was easily able to sell the other pieces, at a reasonable profit, and able to keep the teapot for myself. Now, that’s how I like to buy items. It’s almost like getting it for free!

They are just the cutest things. The coloring is beautiful in blues and pinks and even if you are not a cat-lover, you must admit, she is a charmer. The face has such expression, and almost always brings an “awww!” comment. We rarely find them in ‘as is condition’, meaning with some damage or issue. It just seems that whoever owns these treasures tends to treat them with respect. That’s because they are more often used for display than for actual table use, or so it seems.

If you are lucky enough to find pieces in this pattern at a yard sale or thrift shop, go for it! You’ll get rave reviews and every time you see them, it will bring a purr-fect smile, no kitten!

Your Collectible: What’s It Worth?

The Dean — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:29:31 +0000

Most important is determining the current fair market value of the item to be disposed. FORGET what you paid for the piece!! It has no bearing on its value and if you’re a collector like me, when it’s an item I want I may wrangle a good deal, but when it’s a must have doodad all logic is left on the cutting room floor.

Finding the value of your treasure means an honest appraisal of the item you have. Is it complete, in new condition, near new, excellent condition, good average condition for its age, less than average or junk? Was it expensive when new, is the item rare or was it mass-produced, are there reproductions on the market, did the manufacturer reissue the pattern? Do you have the original packaging? If the item is mechanical, does it function?

Most sellers rate their stuff above reality because condition was not an issue when forking out their own cash. But collectors want the best example they can find. A really rare item with flaws is better than not having a needed piece to complete a collection,

Some of our collections have imperfections, a chip on the lip of a teapot, crazing on some pitchers or plates. These are shelf sitters and acceptable as decorations. We were enticed by the low price, and would gladly buy better examples if they present themselves.

With a clear understanding of your precious procurement, we start our search for like items sold recently to determine current retail value. Prominent web auctions are my first thought, with Ebay still the place to view past sold items. You can also judge how plentiful the porcelain poodle you’re trying to peddle really is. Another site we check is Tias.com, here sellers set the price, but most seem to be accurate. With your item description and some searching you should fine other locations with listings.

On any auction site if only one example of your exact item is found, review the bidding to determine if two bidders got into a “me need” war before pronouncing your porcelain pooch priceless.

Another source commonly used would be the collectibles price guides available at bookstores, directly from publishers, or at your local central library. (Even our village library carries some common current editions including Kovels Antiques and Collectibles Price List.)

If your item is truly rare and you have not found any price reference to it, a qualified appraiser will be worth the expenditure, You may try to find one that charges by the time spent, and not on the value of the item, or your junk may be deemed jewels.

At last, you have an idea what the true retail value of your item should be. Porcelain pink poodles from Portugal are plentiful so your price is pretty paltry. But you decide to rid yourself of the pooch. Where do you go next? eBay? You will have to sign up for an account, get a PayPal Account, if not currently using one, pay the modest fees, photograph and make your listing, price it right and hope it sells for more than your start price. (Did I mention wrapping and shipping?)

Another option is a ‘paid’ eBay Seller. Most of these store front operations, require that an item have a salable value over a set amount; our local franchised place requires a minimum of $50.00. Then all fees are charged to you and the sellers’ commission is 30%.

Local Consignment Auctions? A good option, but check several for the amount of the sellers’ fees, some as low as 25%, commonly 30%. (Our local auction house would only handle a complete collection of smaller items, but would consider a single piece if it’s a Picasso.)

Many trying to off load a few items will contact antique stores or mall. Here your item has the best chance for a quick sale, but remember your friendly buyer needs to pay the rent on the store and will only offer to buy the item at the wholesale price.

Antique stores and malls often have consignment areas or cases which give you yet another option. Requirements range all over the board, but most take 40% of the sale price, less credit card fees. One store automatically reduces the sell price every 30 days. Many have restrictions on low cost items.

Our daily newspaper, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, features a weekly article on antiques by Ralph and Terry Kovel. (A must read for any collector) The Sunday, Aug. 17th edition had this advice for a question on a 1995 Coca-Cola Grand Prize Winner, 600-minute phone card, and what it would be worth.

I quote:”There are eager collectors of phone cards, although fewer in the United States than in Japan and some other countries. Most Coke phone cards date from the 1990s and sell for under $10. But yours happens to be a rare one. Fifteen, not 10, were made, but that’s still a very small number.

Your card lists for $1600. That doesn’t mean you can easily find someone who will pay that much. A dealer in phone cards might pay you half, though.

Tea Anyone?: How I Started Collecting Teapots

Val Ubell — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 08:36:54 +0000

We recently entertained some old school friends who came back in town for a reunion. They had not been to our house for several years and the first thing they commented on when they entered was my collection of ‘pots.’ They wondered when I had first starting collecting them. I stared at the shelves that are jammed full and said “I don’t recall.” My hubby said the first one came from his mom and it was one she that had displayed it on her kitchen counter. But, no, I said, it was long before that. Then the light went on! The first one we got was from our youngest daughter. She had been a foreign exchange student in France while in high school. When she returned (filled with interesting stories), she brought us a tea set. Beautiful, blue and white. She carried it home in a box, on the plane and worried the whole time that it would make it intact. But it did, and we love it. We proudly display it in our dining room curio.

The next one did come from his mom – an oldie for sure and with a little ding here and there. I am not one to worry too much about chips, cracks or such. In fact, quite a few of the teapots, coffee servers or hot cocoa pots have minor imperfections. Somehow, I like that – it reminds me I was not the first to enjoy them.

The previous owner of our home did not have much decorating sense, and there were a lot of open spaces and a look that always said ‘unfinished.’ Now, while we may be criticized for a lot of things, it has never been for leaving a wall empty! In fact, dear hubby had to build an extra shelf on several occasions to accommodate my ‘addiction.’

As far as favorites go, I’d have to say that the one with the elf is a charmer. It was made by Baitlin & Son, Japan, quite collectible. Nice coloring too. And this rich, cobalt blue one (majolica I believe) is also at the top of the list. I actually bought this with a creamer (no sugar bowl was found) and sold that on eBay. I made enough from that sale to give me the teapot ‘for free’; that is so cool!

Another favorite is the little green froggy pitcher. While it is not old, actually a reproduction of an older piece, it is fun and I LOVE whimsy. Plus it reminds me of a dear friend who is a collector of green frogs!

I’d also say that this “Oriental” style teapot is another treasure. It has a lot of gold detailing and such a beautiful shape to it! And I am also crazy about this one with bold roses – the handle is a delight.

But, alas, I am running out of space and if I find another one, will have to re-shuffle. Some are more ‘seasonal’, like this one that looks like fall. Maybe I could do them by season and that way I could justify buying more. That is an idea. But alas (once again), my husband will read this and disagree. So, for now, my collection is complete. Yeah, right.