First things first ... I'd like to thank Kim at Forever Wherever for being the first person to share a junking post and grab a button. She posted about a really nifty yard sale teapot on Wednesday morning. Since I post so late in the day, her link went on Tuesday's Day 7 post. I'm adding her link to today's Mr. Linky, so ya'll can pay her a visit.
Kim inspired me to do my own post on teapots, which are very popular with hundreds of thousands of collectors around the world. I'm sharing this post on Vintage Thingie Thursday, so please c'mon over to check out the great vintage items shared by this week's participants.
Teapots, tea cups, tea leaves, and tea rooms all have a devoted following -- with their own customs and culture -- and there's something for everyone, whether you're a casual collector or a dedicated devotee.
A quick search of eBay shows 13,579 active listings for teapots, plus 22,822 completed listings (a combination of sold items and auctions that ended without a buyer). eBay displays 21 days of completed listings.
The most expensive teapot sold on eBay during the past three weeks was this ceramic apple pattern teapot made by Watt Pottery, produced from 1952 to 1965. The seller described it as being in non-mint condition, with "overall age crazing and 2 very small chips under the spout." Sales price? $3,495.00. Uh huh ... makes you wanna get up earlier on Saturday mornings, doesn't it?
The least expensive completed teapot sale on eBay during the same three weeks was this 1950s 25th Anniversary white bone china teapot with handpainted silver details, in mint condition, made by Lefton China in Japan. Sales price? $2.00.
Last month, I purchased a small collection of teapots at a local garage sale, for $1.00 each.
Here are two that have sold so far: this sweet Alice in Wonderland teapot sold for $9.99, and the vintage Treasure Craft chalkware watering can (c. 1940s - 1950s) sold for $13.49.
Miniature teapots are also very popular, like these two that were part of the collection I purchased. Both are less than 2" tall. The one on top is a vintage cloisonne teapot decorated with fluffy yellow chicks, and the one on the bottom is part of the ME Mary Emmerling Cherries Collection.
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Although I don't collect teapots myself, I do enjoy the pomp and circumstance often associated with formal occasions for drinking tea. My Uncle Clare -- the namesake of my middle name -- married my Aunt Yaeko in 1960, while he was serving in Japan. On her first visits to the U.S., Yaeko treated us to the elegance of the traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony, and presented me with my first set of Japanese teacups.
Some of my fondest childhood memories involve drinking tea in the 1894 Tea House in Golden Gate Park's Japanese Tea Garden, and climbing over the 180 degree Moon Bridge (quite a challenge for a 5 year old girl wearing a dress). The Moon (or Drum) Bridge, the Japanese Tea House, and the pond in front of the Tea House are all part of the original Japanese Village constructed for the California Mid-Winter Exhibition held in Golden Gate Park from January to December, 1894 (yes, that's eighteen ninety four, 13 years before the infamous San Francisco fire was started by Mrs. O'Leary's cow).
In my travels, I've visited many memorable tea rooms. I recall the elegance of my first high tea, enjoyed in the gorgeous Palm Court in the lobby of NYC's Plaza Hotel, way back in 1979. I've had tea several times at the Fairmont Empress Hotel, overlooking the beautiful Victoria B.C. Inner Harbor on Vancouver Island. Their afternoon tea is legendary, with lengthy lines to match to match it's popularity ... when we're in Victoria, we prefer the more casual tea-and-curry luncheon or dinner buffet available in the Empress's fabulous Bengal Pub.
If you love tea and love to travel, you'll definitely want to visit Tea Travels, where the subject is tea rooms. The site is chock full of scrumptious recipes and fabulous photos of elegant afternoon teas.
Want more info on the wonderful world of tea? Check out these sites:
If you'd like to learn more about teapots, check out these terrific sites:
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If you'd like to share a post about junking, just follow the directions below. I've created a button to place on your blog, so please grab a copy, tell your friends, and jump right in.
How to Particpate in 30 Days of Junkin' ...
2. Place the 30 Days of Junkin' button at the top of your post. 3. Add your permalink using Mr. Linky. Please do not link until your post is up.
I encourage everyone to share at least one post celebrating junkin' during April, any day you wish. Once your post is up and linked, you can grab a copy of this badge for your sidebar. Please link it back to my main blog addy ... http://auctiongirlvintage.typepad.com
1. Write a post about junking on your blog, or link to a post you've already written. We want to hear about the hunt and the rewards ... where you shop, how you do it, and what you do with your goodies. This is a celebration of All Things Junk, so please share your treasures as well as your tips.
