posted on June 12, 2003 07:41:25 PM new
I told you earlier what I liked the most is that you guys are the best resource on the Web - most knowledgeable and helpful... Here's a chance to help educate me a little more so I don't make a complete fool of myself.
Here's a pretty nice piece I found at an estate sale. Didn't pay much for it ($2) but it really caught my eye. It's not porcelain, but rather china (I'm guessing, right?) I can tell the feel and signs of porcelain - just makes sense that this is hand-painted china.
Here's what I've been able to find out about the maker's mark:
The wreath with a bow at the bottom and clover is the mark of "Nippon Yoko Boeki Co." Internet searches didn't show up any history or help date it... and my Kovel's book isn't here yet -- aaugghh!
How would you describe this piece? It has some beautiful pastel coloring and features oak leaves and acorns in the design. It's also rather large. The cup is 4.5 inches tall and has a diameter of 4.5 inches as well. The saucer's diameter is 6.75 inches.
It doesn't show in the pics, but there's some fine crazing under the glaze. The surfaces all over are very smooth and shiny. Does it make sense to call that to a bidder's attention as it does indicate a sense of age that way...right?
Any and all help in knowing more about this piece would be much appareciated.
Thanks in advance,
Wayne
Trying to Make a Difference - One Satisfied Customer at a Time....
Sorry I can't help you ID the set. Hopefully the experts will be along in a little while.
As far as noting the crazing, yes, absolutely! I point out every single little teeny tiny flaw or aging or crack or whatever in everything I list. You never know what is important to people.
As Jensmome said in another post, "I'll just close by saying that I hate people who buy very old glass and then take a 10X jewelry loupe to it."
posted on June 12, 2003 08:01:39 PM new
Thanks, Lucy.
Funny you should mention the loupe. I just purchased one on eBay - waiting for it to arrive as well. I have a PowerSeller who just bought a paper toy. I set up my shipping to do only Priority Mail and first comments out of her e-mail were to try to get a discount on shipping. You guys have said it before -- the more experienced the seller, the bigger the pain in the a$$. My shipping costs were just 25-cents under my fees. I'm just holding my breath that she doesn't neg me - just over 100 now and still a neg virgin .
One thing I notice that most people selling don't do -- let you know when the heck your stuff left their place, so you can know when to expect it. It's a pain, but I send a templated e-mail to winning bidders the night before things ship - a heads-up as to when to expect it. Is that overkill?
Wayne
Trying to Make a Difference - One Satisfied Customer at a Time....
I don't know what you mean when you say your shipping costs were just 25 cents under your fees. If you meant 25 cents OVER what you charged, I wouldn't worry about it. Once she sees the postage on the package she'll understand. If she is such a lamebrain that she would neg you over a quarter just reply unemotionally that your shipping charges included a quarter for packing materials.
I agree - it's important to keep in touch. Nothing worse than not hearing from a seller. The least they can do is let you know they got your payment and are sending your things.
When I hear from the buyer, whether it's a PayPal payment or an "I'll send a check..." I reply with:
"Thanks for the speedy payment! I'll send your package right out"
or
"Thanks for writing! I'll send your package as soon as payment arrives."
I don't bother with a templated note. Takes maybe 30 seconds to type out my reply.
posted on June 12, 2003 08:46:54 PM new
Yeah - my costs were $6.70 and I charged $6.95 -- and they also get a nice little bonus of a Cell Phone Booster and a personal thank you, too... Also - I now use biodegradeable soy packing peanuts, too - they disovlve in water...
Still can't wait for someone who might know what to make of this set.
Wayne
Trying to Make a Difference - One Satisfied Customer at a Time....
posted on June 12, 2003 08:48:12 PM new
Wayne...
Actually, the description you posted in this thread is 90% of what you want to put in your ad. Definitely describe the crazing. This is extremely important to many collectors for a variety of reasons depending on the maker of the piece.
I also have a templated shipping notice I send to every customer as soon as I ship. It acknowledges receipt of their payment, when they may expect delivery and the FedEx tracking number. It's always a good idea to keep the customer updated until they receive their item.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
posted on June 12, 2003 09:00:48 PM new
It definitely is not overkill to let the buyer know when you're shipping his item!!!
Here's what I do (and I know there are some who will say I should never leave +feedback until I know the buyer has the item and is satisfied; it's never bit me yet, though!):
When the payment arrives (check, M.O., PayPal), I go into feedback, leave +feedback; then when the page comes up saying the feedback has been left, the buyer's e-mail is there. I click on it, send a two sentence message saying your payment came in today's mail (or from PayPal), thanks very much, I've left +feedback for you and will ship this item (shortly, within 24 hours, right away) whatever works. Only exception to this is if I'm worried about the buyer's history, or if the item is high-end, I'll hang onto the check for a week or so. In that case I tell the buyer I've left +feedback and will ship as soon as the check clears. If that happens, then I do e-mail separately to let him know I've shipped the item.
Like others here, I'm a fast typist (100 wpm) and can do that in no time at all. Many of my feedbacks mention my friendly e-mails, which pleases me a lot!
Maker: Random Japanese pottery manufacturer, probably late 19th - early 20th century.
Material: China and porcelain are more or less synonymous terms. Pottery is the dense, heavy, opaque stuff and that's what you've got here.
Pattern: Transferware reproduction is what I'm thinking. The English potteries came up with transferware patterns to imitate Chinese ware during the Orientalia craze. I believe this is an imitation of English ware that imitates Chinese ware. But that's not that unusual in the world of antiques.
Technique: Not handpainted. Probably transfer. If you want to learn the difference, look at the border on the cup or saucer. Is it perfectly uniform all the way around or does it "break" every few inches? That break is where the transfer tissue butts up against the next piece. See?
Style: You have a breakfast cup and saucer, which is also very English. Made larger than a teacup or coffeecup.
Desirability: Easier to sell in an antique mall or flea market, in my view, since the manufacturer is not a famous name. Try advertising it as a transferware breakfast cup.
My opinions only (no one else wants them).
--
California voters: Be a part of the first-ever successful gubernatorial recall! Defy media pundits! $21 million of our money is going down the tubes daily because of our incompetent corrupt governor. Visit http://www.recallgraydavis.com to download your recall petition.
posted on June 13, 2003 12:23:17 AM new
Will list this exactly how you suggest Fluffy - English Transferware Breakfast Cup & Saucer.
It does look nice and I think it might be a combination of transfer and hand-painted. The colored areas of blue, green and yellow look like they would have been applied by hand since their location is kinda general and doesn't appear to be at the same level as the decoration.
Interesting that it's an English piece that was made in Japan?
Any last thoughts?
You guys are great - once again - and I owe the Fluffmeister one
Wayne
Trying to Make a Difference - One Satisfied Customer at a Time....
posted on June 13, 2003 01:27:15 AM new
At first glance I would have said Noritake, but after looking at all of the backstamps in the Noritake Chronology of the Backstamps, I can't find one that matches it. The wreath is what makes you think it is Noritake. but the center is not in th Noritake book. I would say it was made in the 1920's or 30's, because it says Japan & not Nippon which used most of the time up to 1921. That is when it becasme mandatory to use Japan.
[ edited by sanmar on Jun 13, 2003 11:34 AM ]
posted on June 13, 2003 02:50:47 AM new
if you look at the piece through a magnifying glass you can tell the difference between hand painted and transfer. transfer will be little dots and hand painted will show the brush strokes.
posted on June 13, 2003 02:55:54 PM new
Just west of Philly - in Pottstown. I go over to Lancaster County on a regular basis - at least for estate sales. I grew up in southern Lancaster County -- but you graduated from HS about 18 years before I did Solanco High School.
Wayne
Trying to Make a Difference - One Satisfied Customer at a Time....
.
