Collecting

Press, 9 March 1982, Page 16

Collecting

with

Myrtle Duff

Other rather unusual items were five ornamental pencil sharpeners, all most attractive; three were sold for $3O, and the other two for $lO. A tiny bird in a bottle which had much more appeal than, would appear from the description, went for $4. Included in quite a good selection of pottery and porcelain were a blue Jasper Wedgwood ashtray for $lO, a Bayreuth dish for $l9, and a silver mounted vase in the same ware for $6O. A Dresden porcelain ballerina was bought for $2l, and a small, quite beautiful Royal Worcester jug went to some lucky buyer for $2O. Cornishware proved popular, and three earthenware egg cups in this ware sold for $3O.

Glassware ranged from two small Bristol blue glass liners for $6, to a pair of heavy Victorian glass inkwells and a 1910 example made especially for Ballantynes. The last one being so

unusual and of particular local' interest was sold for $75.

In a sale of more than two hundred lots and of such variety it is impossible to describe everything. There were items of jewellery from several generations; mother-of-pearl visiting card cases; a seal and a sealing wax proof; silver vinaigrettes and vesta boxes; a tea-cosy handle; .opera glasses and a Coty powder compact.

- It is difficult to think of what was not there, and I am sure that most people enjoyed themselves. Some must have gone away without having acquired the particular item which was the object of their visit, but for me the only real disappointment was that Mr Bell failed to accede to our request that he should sing the French National Anthem which he learned in his childhood and every word of which he still remembers. Perhaps some other time!