Next Estate Sale Find
Welcome, y’all, to the blog today! It’s always a pleasure when you visit, and today I have a special find to share with you. If you’re a frequent visitor, you know that estate sales are high on my list of things to do, and I promised to share some fun finds with you. If you’re new to the blog, welcome! I’m so glad you decided to visit and hope you enjoy your time here today.
Old Britain Castles is one of the best known patterns from Johnson Brothers of England. Not only did the design offer the world renowned quality of Johnson Brothers stoneware it also offered a chance to see many British castles in fine detail. It was a success as a variation on the traditional blue and white ware became available in pink.
During the 1950s this design as well as “Historic America” awarded the company the Queen’s Award to Industry for their contributions to the British economy. The Old Britain Castles from the 1920s, which were engraved by an artist identified only as Miss Fennel was also given a Queen’s Award to Industry.
I found this set recently, in excellent condition, at a local estate sale. I had never seen the teapot at a sale before. I have a few other pieces in the same pattern so it seemed like a good purchase. Mostly I just loved the look of this set.
While researching the teapot I found that you have to be really careful about making sure that the teapot lid is correct. If you look at the teapot on the left, you will see that the lid fits inside the outer rim, that is the correct matching top for the teapot. The teapot lid on the right is hanging over the edges of the teapot and is the incorrect lid.
That over-sized lid actually belongs on the sugar bowl. If you are lucky enough to have an intact teapot and sugar bowl, you can try the lids and you can tell that the smaller lid fits nice and tight on the teapot and the larger lid fits nice and snug on the sugar bowl. These are expensive pieces so you want to be sure you have the correct lids on each piece. the wrong lid lowers the value of the piece.
The creamer is also beautiful and, along with the other pieces in the set, displays beautifully rendered depictions of castles in England. The lovely pink and white of the porcelain is a real treat to display. I feel so lucky to have found this set and at a reasonable price because it was an estate sale. I purchased the teapot on the first day as I was sure it would be sold otherwise. I took a chance on waiting on the creamer and sugar until the half price day. I thought people might not buy them without the teapot and it turned out to be a good decision. I ended up paying full price for the teapot and 1/2 price for the other two pieces.
Anytime you go thrifting, antiquing or to an estate sale it’s good to know the value of what is being sold. Having a cell phone with access to the internet is so helpful. If I’m interested in an item, I’ll put it into a basket and keep it with me as I look around that way I have time to investigate the piece online and decide if the price works for me. Make sure each piece is in excellent condition before purchasing. Damaged items have lost much of their value.
I’ll leave you with a picture of this beautiful set of china. Thanks so much for joining me today. It’s always fun when you are here.
What a great find! It’s gorgeous. I’m so glad the sugar bowl and creamer were still there for you when you went back.
Thanks, Joy, I was holding my breath and so glad to find them still available. You never know what will be left at an estate sale. have a great week and thanks for stopping by.
Lynne
How fortunate you were to find this beautiful set. Interesting information on the proper fitting of the lid.
Thanks, Jan. I hope to us it soon for a little tea party. The inside is so clean it looks like it has never been used. Thanks for stopping by and have a great week.
Lynne
Wow, I definitely would have grabbed those…so sweet, and the smaller size is perfect for tea for two. I always pickup pink/red transferware as it always sells quickly. Sandi
This pattern really is very popular. it was interesting that the tea set were the only “old” pieces at the estate sale. the plates, cups, etc. were all marked microwave and dishwasher safe. Somehow that’s not quite the same although probably more practical. Thanks for visiting and have a lovely week.
Lynne
Very nice find. I think it is interesting that people must have used a lot of sugar and milk in their tea back when as the sugar bowl and pitcher seem very large compared to the tea pot.
That’s interesting, Teddee. I grew up in Canada and started drinking tea quite young. My Grandmother would pour me half a cup and fill the rest with milk and some sugar. As I grew older the tea filled more of the cup and the milk less. Hadn’t thought of that in some time. Have a great week.
Lynne
What a wonderful find!
Thanks, Sarah, it was great to find a complete set. Have a lovely week.
Lynne
You are so knowledgeable about these things, Lynne! I would have never thought about the lids fitting correctly. I’m glad you got the sugar bowl and creamer on 1/2 price day. The entire set is absolutely lovely!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Thanks, Marsha. Have to say that my husband is the big researcher for some of these finds. He always likes to know the history and general price. I like to try and assess a piece before I buy it to make sure I’m not paying too much. Cell phones are so helpful for that. Have a lovely week.
Lynne
I happen to have that tea set, and when I read your info on the teapot lid, I ran over to my china cabinet to check out the lids!! Thank goodness they do fit, or it would have driven me crazy. I started collecting the pink Old Britain Castles many years ago, when they started showing up at Marshalls and TJ Maxx, but of course these are the ones made in China, after Johnson Brothers moved the production from England. It’s a beautiful pattern, and I always use it for special dinners for large numbers (I have a LOT of pieces). You sure have good luck finding the good stuff! I’m sure you know that Replacements LTD has information on how to tell the difference between the Made in England and the Made in China pieces. Have you ever found any of these while thrifting?
I have found some, Elena and have a few pieces. They are more user friendly that the originals from England. With the older pieces you have to be concerned about crazing. It’s not good to use them for food service if the surface of the plate has lot of crazing. You’re lucky to have so many pieces that you can serve dinner. Replacements LTD is invaluable when pricing china. A good rule of thumb is to take the price on replacements for an item and figure 1/3 of that price. If you can pay less than 1/3 of the full price, I’ll consider buying it. Have a wonderful week and thanks for sharing.
Lynne
Congrats on the lucky purchase, Lynne. I have 2 sugar bowls without lids, uncrazed that I found at the thrift store a couple of years ago. I use them to hold tea bags & sweeteners. I’ve also used them to hold floral arrangements.
Sounds like great usage for some lucky finds, Robin. The creamer is pretty large so it would hold a little floral bouquet. I’ll have to try that. Thanks for the suggestion and have a lovely week.
Lynne
Beautiful pieces!!!
Thanks, Patty, estate sales are a great place to find lovely items at reasonable prices. Thanks for stopping by.
Lynne
What an interesting read! My daughter and I have been to several estate sales for the first time this summer and it has been fun.
Estate sales are treasure hunts, Marilyn, and always fun. So nice to be able to go wth your daughter. My daughter and I also do that together. Have a lovely week.
Lynne
Thanks so much for the feature. I always enjoy your posts and appreciate all the work that goes into a link party. Have a lovely week.
Lynne
Thanks so much for the feature. It’s always a pleasure to visit your site. Have a lovely week.
Lynne