Sending photos or private messages!

Thanks to everyone who has left comments on our blog over the past few months especially those who have contacted us regarding their own J.S.&S. pieces. We apologise for asking you to post photos as this seems to be impossible to do and we were unaware of this. However if you do want to send us photos of your items or to contact us direct please follow the link to our email under the 'view complete profile' option in the 'About Me' section. Regards, Nick & Ali.

A collection of Hornsea items at auction.

It's unusual to see a large and varied auction lot of items from the same maker. Here's one i've spotted at an auction in Scarbourough on 30th March. For anyone interested in Hornsea Pottery or thinking of starting a collection this would be an ideal start. The lot contains items from all sections of Hornsea and also from different time periods. From the early Fauna objects through the first tableware of the 1950's/60's to the iconic designs of the 70's/80's this lot has an example of them all. Follow the link to see a picture of the Lot. Collection of Hornsea and similar ceramics in two boxes - Antique & Home Furnishings

J.S. & S. Silver Plate Salver

We have had for a while a nice salver which until recently we knew little about and was a bit of a conundrum. The salver has a brassy patina to it but in the centre of the base it bears a makers mark (J.S.& S) ...plus three other marks which at first glance appear to be silver hallmarks. The brassy patina suggests that the piece has once been silver plated and unfortunatly due to the wrong type of cleaning the silver has worn off. Many plated items of this period have ended up being rubbed back to the base metal which makes complete silver plated items more scarce. Researching the makers' mark brought with it some interesting information. J.S, & S stands for John Sherwood and Sons, a company based in Birmingham between 1858 and 1913. This version of the mark was used between 1865 and 1913 and the mark next to it represents a beaver which was also used as a trade mark by this company. The crown mark was used by the Birmingham Assay Office and normally appears on Stirling silver items. The last mark is a Gothic letter C used in this form as a date letter on Birmingham silver produced 1826-27 which predates this piece. Other pieces from the same maker have had different Gothic letters from the same hallmark cylce used between 1824 and 1849. This suggests that J.S. & S may have been using these to date their products but there is no evidence to show when this began or ended. All this adds up to a set of marks which mimic those which were required on Sterling silver but for which there were no legal guidelines for silver plate. Confusing now and was seen as an attempt to deceive at the time!

New Etsy Shop opened!!

Just a quick message to say that we have opened a shop on Etsy. Follow the link on the right to be re-directed. Thanks, Nick & Ali

Precious metals - current market rates.

There has been a slight decrease in precious metals prices over the past week although they are still higher than they were at the end of July.
Today's Gold & Silver prices from a source on the internet for Hallmarked Gold & Silver:
Silver £12.96/oz
9ct Gold £11.29/gm
14ct Gold £17.61/gm
18ct Gold £22.58gm
22ct Gold £27.57/gm
These prices are indicative only and we accept no responsibility for any changes or differences quoted elsewhere.

Hornsea Freeport Nostalia Event

All you lovers of Hornsea Pottery make sure you get to Hornsea Freeport over the August Bank Holiday weekend. There is a Nostalgia Event on which includes displays of Hornsea ware and the chance to maybe buy some of your old favourites. If you have any Hornsea you might be interested in knowing something about then bring it along, members of the Hornsea Pottery Collectors & Researchers Society will be on hand to help you out.

Hornsea - growing popularity? If you lived like me through the 60's and 70's a manufacturer which was synonimous with homewares at the time was Hornsea. The original Hornsea potteries was based as you would expect in Hornsea on the East coast of Yorkshire. Started by the Rawson Brothers in 1949 Hornsea pottery began life in a large terraced house an eventually ended up in a purpose built factory at Edenfield in Hornsea. First items to be produced were character jugs and quaint animal based posey vases.

It wasnt until the mid to late '50's that Hornsea began to produce table ware and with John Clappison joining the company in 1958 the innovative tableware designs began. Hornsea's hayday came in the late '60's through the '70's and into the '80's with households being filled with their popular Heirloom and Fleur designs to name just two.

Unfortunatley the Company was taken over in 1984 although their designs continued to 1989. Now where the factory stood is a retail park, Hornsea Freeport, but the interest in Hornsea has not gone away. The Hornsea Pottery Collectors' and Research Society has a growing membership and the designs have much to offer the young home owner of today as well as being ever more collectable. If you have an interest in Hornsea or want any more information please send me a message.