Robert Copeland Attic Collection Sale

On Tuesday 9th June 2009, Louis Taylor Fine Auctioneers and Valuers in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, sold the Robert Copeland Attic Collection, most of the items having belonged to his father, Mr A. Gresham Copeland.  William Taylor Copeland and Thomas Garrett bought the Spode factory in 1833, and the collection consisted of many early pieces of Spode blue and white pearlware in a variety of patterns and all shapes and sizes, with examples from the Copeland and Garrett and Copeland periods, and a few from the 20th century.

The 148 lots included items in bone china and ironstone in addition to pearlware, as well as wares made by Spode's competitors, such as Rogers, Clews, Davenport and Turner.

Most items have labels with the initials AGC, the collection number, and often details of where and when they were acquired, which make the objects even more interesting.

A West Country dealer was lucky to acquire a supper set in its original tray, with only the egg cups missing and in perfect condition (see photos).  The dealer stated that it was something which will be hard to part with.

--  submitted by Sue Wagstaff