Shelley bone china collectors from throughout the world will gather March 13, 1999, at Maitland Civic Center in Maitland, Florida, for the biggest All Shelley Show and Sale ever held.
Sample of Shelley China. |
Susan Smith vanVonno, events chairperson for the Florida Regional Group and President of the National Shelley China Club, announced today that dealer commitments now assure that this will be the largest All Shelley Show in all the world. In only its second year it will surpass both the English Collectors Fair and the Australian Show at Wagga Wagga.
"Last year's show, the first, was wildly successful and dealer demand started almost immediately" said Ed Kellogg, Board of directors Chairman. "Our attendance was outstanding with people coming from California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Australia, Canada and throughout the east and midwest USA."
"This year dealers report they have been stockpiling special Shelley pieces for nearly a year so we expect to have a collector's paradise. In addition to dinnerware, tea sets and specialty pieces, there will be Mabel Lucy Atwell children's ware, miniature cups/saucers, vases and museum quality designers specialties."
Shelley is generally regarded as the most elegant of the bone china produced by English potteries. Popularity has increased dramatically with prices expected to take yet another jump in late 1999. There are well organized Clubs in England, Australia and New Zealand as well as the United States.
The National Shelley China Club was founded in Portland, Oregon, in 1990. The Florida Regional Group was formed in May, 1996, and now meets quarterly in various Florida cities.
Shelley's most popular and enduring shape is the Dainty Style with teacups featuring six flutes. It was first made in 1890. This was followed by the very elegant and popular Queen Anne shape with eight sides and later by Mode, Vogue and Eve. As a result, Shelley teacups are the most distinctive and enduring of any English pottery. Its cups and saucers are widely collected.
Over the past 100 years, Shelley employed a succession of distinguished artists and designers. In addition to their work with dinner and teasets, they inaugurated a variety of museum quality pieces which are highly prized today. But the less impressive was not totally ignored. It is still possible to find quality Shelley specialty pieces, personalized for specific towns and districts, hospital aids, and advertising items. At least some of all these pieces are expected to be offered at our show.
Anyone needing further information, please contact President Susan Smith vanVonno 407-255-2791.
©1998 Southeastern Publishing