Herald - Lantern - Dispatch 23 April '86 19

By Arthur H. Schwerdt

Antiques

This time of year (late April and early May ) is one of the best times to "go antiquing" in Cape May. The local shops are stocking their shelves for the new season with the fruits of this winter's buying trips, and now you can get first dibs on the prime finds. I've done some local sleuthing recently < How long can I remain in cogni to? ). and was gratified to find so many things priced below book value. IN THE antiques business, this is a healthy sign — a good omen for the coming season. It means the dealers have the volume, and are confident that brisk sales will bring the profits. Of course, it also means value and selection for the collector. Never have I seen so many wonderful dishes — glass, ceramic, ironstone and china. Platters.^plates, serving dishes, soup and salad bowl, cpps and saucers There 'are some Trump Trip NORTH CAPE MAY - The Lower Township Branch of the Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital Auxiliary will sponsor a tr»P to,Trump Castle Casino, Atlantic City. Monday. April 28. Bus will leave- Keene's Kitchen parking lot at the North Cape May Shopping Center 4 p.m. For further information, call 886-8026.

rare complete dinner services. but many more luncheon . tea, coffee, chocolate and dessert sets in the most magnificent patterns. THERE ARE many individual dishes, too. for display on walls, hutches and mantels The next time you watch the TV sitcoms and dramatic series, notice the backgrounds. So many mbre TV homes and apartments are decorated with fabulous dishes. Whether this is a case of Art imitating Life or vice versa. I don't know. But anything that involves thedisplay of these wonderful works of art from a time gone by is a welcome trend, and I hope it continues. WILLOW WARE is one of the most popular and sought-after patterns, and the local shops seem ready for the demand Also called Blue Willow, the pattern consists of an oriental scene including birds, a temple or pagoda, a stream and bridge, and. of course, a stylized willow tree The English have been making Willow Ware since the late 18th Century, but the design is an imitation of a Japanese import of the time (Nanking). Some company names to look for are: Johnson Brothers. Allerton. Ridgway. Royal China, and yes. even Wedge wood. MOST PEOPLE identify Wedgewood with a par-* ticular type of blue and

white cameo-like porcelain with classical tableau scenes. But Wedgewood | made a variety of patterns, all characterized by fine workmanship and exquisite taste. Vases bloom in abundance each year in the local shops as perennially as Cape May's tulips at festival time. This year, however, take a look at the variety of bud vases. Why more people don't gobble up these little goodies I'll never know. Some of these have been made in Japan — always tasteful imitations of European designs, but many are imports from Italy, France, and Germany. THE ATTRACTIVE prices of bud vases just might make them this year's most popular collectibles. They make an excellent starter collection for the new collector, too — a good investment value. Of the larger vases. American pottery is still the number one selection at most local shops. The usual names are all there: unique McCoys, serious Rookwoods and Rosevilles. classical Abingdons. I HAVE ALSO noticed a more than usual number of Weller and Red Wing pottery. Both companies were stated in the late 19th century. Weller in Ohio and Red Wing in Minnesota. Early examples in the curvacious Noveau style are prized by collectors, as are some of the floral patterns ofcthe 1930s. (paperweights are not jusl for holding paper down any more, as the many avid collectors will tell you. South Jersey has always been a popular place to collect these fascinating works of glass-art because so many were made locally. IN VARIOUS shapes and sizes, they also make fabulous starter collections. The prices can get steep, however, when deal1 ing with the colorful I Millefiori or Milleville Rose patterns. But there are many other eyecatching designs that can be proudly displayed in the home Chaulkware and item made in "Occupied Japan" are also available in more abundance this year. The , attraction for "Occupied i Japan" pieces is more than simply because they come from a brief period in history and are, therefore, rare. They are also quite beautiful and make very tasteful display pieces. CHAULK FIGURES have been made since late 19th Century. They are actually made in molds with plaster of paris. Some of them are wall hangings others are statuettes. There are many formal pieces which are meticulously painted and detailed in gold, as well as charming figures of rabbits. dogs and cats. A chaulk piggy bank in good condition is a good find, but there are also fine dog. cat. and horse banks — great gifts for the kids. NEXT WEEK: some Heavy Metal — iron, brass, silver and gold. (Arthur Schwerdt. coowners of The August Farmhouse, on Route 9 in ^ Swainton. invites questions c/o this newspaper.)

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