‘Teapot Rescue’ by Peggy Ann Turner

Happy Christmas!

Well the Yank has landed in Great Britain. I arrived on Dec. 4th after 20 hours in the air. Speaking of ‘Yanks’, this term for Americans, especially as a Southern gal, always gets my attention. It always smacks of the ‘Yankees’ from the Civil War! I know it was the slang for all GI’s during WW2.

I’m temporarily settled in Faversham, Kent after a stay with my elderly Aunt and Uncle in Birchington, Kent. The old saying about relatives and fish is correct. Love ‘em to bits, but can’t live with them. However, I have 25 teapots to retrieve from their shed that I bought on Ebay last April through June. I went a bit ‘teapotty’!

To remain sane, I escaped from my rellies(?), I began my UK Teapot Rescue in all the charity shops in Birchington, Kent. I struck ‘gold’ in the Hospice shop. After perusing the entire shop, I spotted this white porcelain teapot with thin red trim. Lo and behold, it?s sugar bowl, creamer (jug) and cheese box were all with it in excellent condition for £5! It’s Bavarian, lovely porcelain. This is my only German teapot to date. I am not familiar with the maker. It?s Winterling, Schwarzenbach, Bavaria, Germany. Below this information there’s a ‘6′ below with 2 dots on each side of the number.

The logo is a ‘W’ with rounded curves on the inner strokes and they do not join. There is also a Crown like icon above the single ‘W’. The teapot shape is beautifully rounded into an oval and has a elegant yet simple base. The lid finial is lightly traced with the red line, as is the rim of the lid. The red line continues below the slope of the opening. This line outlines the handle, spout opening and follows the lovely curve of the spout. The other pieces are as charming and lovely. As there were no teacups, I hope to find some red and white polka dot cups and saucers that will contrast with this set. If any of you know of this pattern, please get in touch.

After hitting all the charity shops in Birchington, I’m now scouring the Faversham shops. The Hospice shop here in Faversham is very expensive for a charity shop, and I’ve noticed their stock does not move quickly. Haven?t found a teapot yet, seen several, but not my taste or overpriced.

However, I worry about those homeless teapots, how cold they?ll become during this winter without hot, steamy tea in their tummies, be they round, square, inverted cones, or shaped like the Sydney Opera House (!) These orphans need a home with love and care. However, I did find a gorgeous soft green large jug (pitcher to me) in the Cancer charity shop here in Faversham for £4.50. It has a couple of inner nicks on the rim, not noticeable from the outside. I?ll use this for kitchen utensils or in the summer fill it with wonderful sweet Southern Ice Tea with lovely lemons ?poured over heaps of ice cubes (a ‘Yank’ thing) with mint leaves! So refreshing!

I found a small Walt Disney Tigger (on the lid w/ other characters around the body of the pot) teapot that I thought was a Cardew, but the pottery’s name wasn’t on the bottom. It was ‘4’s in a shop in Canterbury.

Ladies and Gentlemen addicted to Teapot collecting what about using my diary as a bartering spot? I think we could help each other find things, restorers, etc. for one another. I’ll check with our web magician, Nigel and see if we can set up a barter spot in my diary. What do you think? would be great fun!

I was in Hog Heaven when I discovered the TK Maxx stores here are the exact company I mentioned last time, which in the States if TJ Maxx. I shopped till I dropped! I always fill my trolley full and then edit out what is absolutely not necessary and keep the treasures. I?ll be in one somewhere every week. Also, I found the kookiest cat character on a tea pot in Woolworth’s with cheeky little comments about mice. I have to have the teapot and some mugs, great design and so whimsical.

Well Teapotty Friends, I’ll close now and let’s start a barter club for rescues, to swap or barter with one another. Please email me at ptz_cuppat@yahoo.com.uk and after Jan. 10, my email will be ptz_cuppat@btinternet.com.

One last note, please give your clear out items to any of these shops. Don’t forget the
animal charity shops, RSPCA, German Shepard Rescue and the Cat Rescue group.
They need the donation of goods for their shops.

HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND BLESSINGS FOR THE NEW YEAR!
PEGGY