World War II Teapot

Q: This teapot was part of my aunt’s estate. It’s black with raised blue and pink dots, gold lettering and trim, and is 5 1/2 inches high. It says “For U.S.A. Britain and Democracy” on the lid. There is a looped rope mark on the bottom and the words “World War II, Made in England, […]

Kovels On Antiques & Collectibles June 2021 Newsletter Now Available

Kovels On Antiques & Collectibles newsletter is available as a print subscription, or as a digital version that is included in the Kovels Knowledge and Kovels All Access memberships. Start your Kovels Knowledge Free Trial now or login. Kovels’ June 2021 newsletter features antique garden décor, Wrigley’s Gum advertising, historical blue Staffordshire china, tramp art, and vintage […]

Historical Staffordshire China 

Maryland businessman Buddy Zamoiski, who passed away in February at age 93, spent decades amassing a more than 180-piece collection of historical blue transfer-printed Staffordshire china. Experts in Historical Staffordshire and collector items at HistoricalChina.com recently partnered with his family to help price and sell his collection of rare and coveted pieces on their website. […]

Staffordshire Dish

Q: I got this little square dish as a wedding present years ago. The woman who gave it to me told me it was an antique then, in 1974. It’s marked “A.F. & Co., Staffordshire” and “Elsmere” and is about 4 by 4 inches. Can you give me any information about the maker and age […]

Aynsley Eggcup

Q: Can you tell me the age of an Aynsley eggcup in the shamrock pattern? A: John Aynsley established a pottery in Longton, Staffordshire, England, in 1775. He made printed earthenware. His son joined the business and the name became John Aynsley & Sons (Ltd.) in 1864. The factory began making bone china. “England” was […]

Minton Prawn Plate

Q: I have four Minton plates that appear to be made in the mid to late 1800s. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find anything like them on the web. They are molded prawn plates. Can you help identify when they were made and/or what they may be worth? Also, are there records of who […]

Pratt Plates

Q: I’d like to know whether these plates are originals or reproductions and what price they may fetch at auction. The mark on the bottom is partly worn off but I can read “W. Pratt, Lane Delph, Staffordshire.” The plates are about 8 inches in diameter.   A: Several members of the Pratt family owned […]

Benjamin Franklin Staffordshire Figure Labelled “George Washington

Watch out for fake antiques, especially copies of well-known pieces. In about 1820, some potters in the Staffordshire district of England made portrait figures of famous politicians, actors and athletes to sell in local shops. Remember, this was a time when there were no color images of people except paintings and few black and white […]