what goes through my mind

we all read about collectable pottery and are told which items should be the Holy Grail but I find myself tempted to buy pots that I don't particularly like because they are the rarest and most sought after.
Is this common amongst collectors?

Well it always means you can move them on fairly easily, if you don't ever get
attatched to them.

If I come across a pot that others have been talking about, and it's s bargain price, then I can't resist buying it. Sometimes it's the start of a new collection; other times it's something I put aside for resale knowing there's a market for it; sometimes, though, I get caught out and find I've bought at the top of the market and I'm stuck with it or have to take a loss - mottoware, for example. That's why I like to spread the risk across several collections/collectables.

I used to buy on name and what was sought after but these days, when I am usually buying to resell, I always buy things that I like.

NaomiM wrote: That's why I like to spread the risk across several collections/collectables.

Dan perhaps you have the confidence to know you are not overpaying. What is value anyhow? Value to whom?, when? where? We all know items price jump about - just last week an item i bid on went for much more than a historic item. i like to use goofbid as it stops me getting carried away in the last seconds.

I do keep my eye on the market more than most so, unless an item is so rare it hasn't been sold in years, I can be confident I am not overpaying.
It may be the Yorkshire in me but I have never overbid on an auction due to auction fever, more likely it's my years of haggling in Morocco where I decided on a price and never went over it

ahh! a dream holiday

I think buying pots you don't like because they are rarest and most sought after is a sign that your moving away from being an ordinary collector. Most people who buy pots they don't like have an aim in mind, normally that is to sell for a profit or to trade in some way to get pots they do like. Collectors don't have that aim, it is not for resale so they only stray away from items they collect if something tells a story or relates to what they collect.

If you can buy and make a profit it doesn't matter if you like the pot/potter or not , you can be a dealer & a collector at the same time , collecting is a personal matter , it doesn't mean you have to keep the stuff for eternity , that's what makes this game work , buying , selling , moving on etc

Mordeep wrote: I think buying pots you don't like because they are rarest and most sought after is a sign that your moving away from being an ordinary collector. Most people who buy pots they don't like have an aim in mind, normally that is to sell for a profit or to trade in some way to get pots they do like. Collectors don't have that aim, it is not for resale so they only stray away from items they collect if something tells a story or relates to what they collect.  

Naa It's just to stop someone else getting it! It's mine, all mine, covet away!!

denbydump wrote:

Mordeep wrote: I think buying pots you don't like because they are rarest and most sought after is a sign that your moving away from being an ordinary collector. Most people who buy pots they don't like have an aim in mind, normally that is to sell for a profit or to trade in some way to get pots they do like. Collectors don't have that aim, it is not for resale so they only stray away from items they collect if something tells a story or relates to what they collect.  

Naa It's just to stop someone else getting it! It's mine, all mine, covet away!!

No its MINE!

Seriously though I got dragged away earlier before I could fully make my point. What I intended to say was that if an item, a pot enhances in some way what the collector collects then they will buy it no matter who ugly or how little they like it. To give you an example. I have hand on heart some bloody ugly and plain Martin brothers items at the moment (not including the jar and cover I posted elsewhere on this site). They are expensive and as pots go not that great. But they are going to sell very fast. The reason is although people won't want them, if your an art pottery collector or a collector of late Victorian items you need a bit of Martin brothers. It enhances your collection, tells a story , you can show it off and tell people you have some Martin brothers. That is worth more than you think.

Like anything there is good/mediochre/bad examples, Martin/poole/troika/studio eg.
Names are names, people pick up on it, of course, with the endless TV progs.
With scant knowledge people will plump for the "safe" options. which is, for instance,
why the current Moorcroft junk (thanfully not much on this forum), is still seemingly
desireable. Same as Crown Derby a couple of years ago. Junk, wake up!
"I will give you my 100 Crown Derby paperweights for your Martin bros dog"
"Sorry mate, they are only worth £10 each".

I'm thinking Dan that after doing this for so long we all know pieces that make you sit up and pay attention. There the pieces Mordeep's talking about. There is no doubt about them selling it's just a matter of how much. And you feel lucky to get them. After 10 or 20 years you know a rare one when you see it.

Yes and we are out there, everyday, in all weathers, tramping round in the
snow and ice, looking for those jewels that make us walk on air, and give us
endless bragging rights!

denbydump wrote:Yes and we are out there, everyday, in all weathers, tramping round in the
snow and ice, looking for those jewels that make us walk on air, and give us
endless bragging rights!

We do indeed.

It is nice though to use the knowledge you have earned to through mistakes, research or watching all those antique shows to discover something out amongst the sea of shiny Beswick and Doulton statues. Still get a huge buzz out of a bargain and there is so much to discover and learn. I will give you an idea. I was a speaking to an auctioneer friend and she was saying how she did research on Christopher Dresser and the Martin brothers for I think it was Christies in the 1990's. She got access through contacts to areas in the museums, the VA and the national library that people don't get access too.  What she found was an utter mess. It was all misfiled or unsorted. To this day the majority of dressers designs for items that use more than one material together for example wood/silver, pottery/glass are unknown. The patents exist but are unsorted/misfiled. The Martin brothers is worse, just box after box of paper filed away. So much is still out there to be found


Here is something for you to hunt though. This is unsigned Torquay (Aller Vale) pottery smiling face. It was designed by a lady called Blanche Vulliamy in about 1900-1910 as a novelty to put your spoons in. About this size of a coke can and if your lucky enough to find one. Then your looking at close to a £1000 (last one sold for £900+ on ebay).  Her work is passionately hunted for at the moment.

early Pendelfin rabbits fetch the same price and look like they would sell for 50p at a car boot  

dantheman wrote:early Pendelfin rabbits fetch the same price and look like they would sell for 50p at a car boot  

I never would have given them more than a once over and walked on if you had not mentioned it. Interesting to know.

May be we should start a "You will never believe it!" thread for very valuable but don't look like it items?

I was thinking the same thing

How do you distinguish the early ones ?

i'll add some info to the new ,related pthread