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You are here: Home / collecting / Clues

Clues

April 11, 2015 at 9:42 am by Claudia

I see sun.

I also hear a lot of wind, but I’m not going to be too picky.

Sunshine is good.

I’ve said it before and you know I’m going to say it again. And again. I am blessed with the loveliest readers; scratch readers…friends. One of those friends is Barb, who lives in Canada. She sent me a package and it just arrived yesterday.

4-11 egg cups wooden

I unwrapped these beautiful wooden egg cups.

I really love them. Let’s get a closeup of that wood grain:

4-11 egg cups wooden closeup

Beautiful.

Also included in this lovely package was this guy:

4-11 egg cups man

A little spooky in the most wonderful way. Something about the style of this one struck of chord in the recesses of my memory. I’d seen egg cups that were done in this same style.

4-11 egg cups man 2

When I flipped him over, the stamped maker’s mark was so faint that I could only make out two words:

4-11 egg cups man mark

“Royal” and “Made.”

Don joined in and eventually we found we could barely make out “…ong” and C in the center.

Okay, I thought. There’s a challenge. And you know I love mysteries and crossword puzzles and solving things.

So, I started searching egg cups online. Using the words ‘egg cup’ and ‘royal’ narrowed it down a bit. However, there are lots of pottery makers that use the word ‘royal’ in their trademark. Finally, I saw a blue egg cup in the shape of a dog that was very much like this one. Then I saw another. And finally, after looking at even more egg cups, I was able to see a listing that also showed the stamped mark on the bottom.

Bingo.

Royal Art Pottery
Longton
C
Made in England

Aha!

Don was great, by the way, looking at the mark, examining it closely, suggesting what search words to use. We were like the Hardy Boys, except we were the Hardy Boy and Girl.

Barb, thank you, thank you! My collection has grown quite a bit in the last week or so. I have two more finds I’ll share with you soon and even better, the story of an amazing score on eBay. The kind of score that happens very rarely and which sent my adrenaline levels through the roof as I watched the clock count down on the auction yesterday.

It took me a while to recover.

But that will have to wait until it arrives in my mailbox.  I can’t wait.

Happy Saturday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: collecting, egg cups, gifts 36 Comments

Comments

  1. Doris says

    April 11, 2015 at 9:53 am

    Very nice gifts to receive! Enjoy the sun. Doris

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 11, 2015 at 10:24 am

      Thank you, Doris!

      Reply
  2. Linda @ A La Carte says

    April 11, 2015 at 9:57 am

    Love the wooden egg cups and the ‘mystery’ cup was such a fun gift also. I enjoy researching and searching for the makers of my treasures also. I must say I was on pins and needles yesterday (still no baby girl) and made a couple of purchases on Ebay and Etsy myself. I’ll be sharing when they come in the mail also. I wasn’t as excited as you though, so now I’m super interested in your great score!! Today we have Tiger’s birthday party with friends so we are happy it is sunny out.
    hugs,
    Linda

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 11, 2015 at 10:28 am

      Have fun at that party. Oh, when is that sweet baby going to come??

      Reply
  3. Marilyn says

    April 11, 2015 at 10:32 am

    How fun to solve your egg cup mystery! Now I am really interested to see your Ebay score.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 11, 2015 at 10:51 am

      I will share it with you as soon as I can, Marilyn!

      Reply
  4. Wendy TC says

    April 11, 2015 at 12:04 pm

    What a nice package! And what fun to sleuth out your new egg cup.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 11, 2015 at 12:07 pm

      It was fun and very satisfying, Wendy.

      Reply
  5. Donnamae says

    April 11, 2015 at 12:05 pm

    How fun…what a sweet gift! Sounds like you had a fantastic time solving that mystery! ;)

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 11, 2015 at 12:07 pm

      We did!

      Reply
  6. Judy Clark says

    April 11, 2015 at 12:57 pm

    Isn’t it fun to hunt information on something. And oh, the excitement when you actually find what you were looking for. By the way, while you are researching your McCoy, if you see a piece that is cream colored with blue raised flowers, let me know. Am trying to find some info on this piece.

    Love your new egg cups. Your collection continues to grow. You are going to have to build on an extra room for them to be displayed!

    Judy

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 11, 2015 at 1:13 pm

      I know. At the very least, I’ll have to get more shelves, Judy. I’ll keep an eye out for your piece.

      Reply
  7. Janet in Rochester says

    April 11, 2015 at 1:37 pm

    I love any kind of serveware made of wood – these egg cups are gorgeous! If you ever get tired of them – yeah right – I have four little pastel alabaster eggs that would just great in them during the Spring months! Enjoying the sun here too… happy weekend!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 11, 2015 at 3:05 pm

      I know you love your wood, Janet! Have a great weekend.

      Reply
  8. Nancy Blue Moon says

    April 11, 2015 at 2:52 pm

    What nice additions to your collection Claudia..I also have enjoyed researching some of my old items here..It’s such fun to figure out where the came from..Enjoy this beautiful sunshiny weekend!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 11, 2015 at 3:05 pm

      I will, Nancy. About time, right? We are ready for some sun! And tonight I get to go hear Don play.

      Reply
      • Nancy Blue Moon says

        April 11, 2015 at 3:38 pm

        Oh what fun..take a picture of him for us if you can..

        Reply
        • Claudia says

          April 11, 2015 at 4:15 pm

          I’m taking the camera, Nancy.

          Reply
  9. Tammy says

    April 11, 2015 at 3:50 pm

    I can just see you two sleuthing things out. Lovely gifts. Have fun tonight. Best wishes, Tammy

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 11, 2015 at 4:16 pm

      Thanks, Tammy. I hardly ever get to hear him live because of Scout’s needs, but since this is in our town, I can go.

      Reply
  10. SueZK says

    April 11, 2015 at 5:54 pm

    I absolutely love how involved you are with your collections. They bring you such joy. I have to think of something I can collect. I want to feel that rush you get when you bid on something and get it and when someone surprises you with something you collect.
    Now if I can just think of something
    thanks for always sharing with us
    SueZK

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 12, 2015 at 8:11 am

      You will, Sue! It has to be something that strikes your fancy and then takes over your thoughts so that you find yourself looking for more just like it when you’re out and about.

      Reply
  11. Debbie in Oregon says

    April 11, 2015 at 6:06 pm

    How fun to receive such a sweet gift … and BONUS that you and Don got to put your sleuthing skills to work. I know that crazy eBay thing that forces some recovery time – it’s terrible and exhilarating both at the same time! Can’t wait to see what you got.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 12, 2015 at 8:12 am

      Oh my goodness, Debbie, my heart was racing!

      Reply
  12. Barbara says

    April 11, 2015 at 6:20 pm

    What a nice gift. I have to admit that since viewing your collection, I am seeing egg cups when I never saw them before.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 12, 2015 at 8:12 am

      Isn’t it funny how that happens?

      Reply
  13. Pat says

    April 11, 2015 at 10:27 pm

    Wonderful gifts! I like the little yellow egg cup didn’t look like a dog to me– but it’s interesting!
    The wooden ones are ice too. You have some thoughtful readers !
    Hope the sun continues to shine this weekend! Enjoy!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 12, 2015 at 8:13 am

      No, Pat, the little yellow cup is a man – the one I saw online that reminded me of this one was a dog!!

      Reply
      • Pat says

        April 12, 2015 at 11:05 am

        Ah! I got caught up in the mystery and some how thought that was part of it I suppose. Since it’s not a dog- no wonder I didn’t think he looked like one. Haha! Thanks for clearing it up–

        Reply
  14. Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces says

    April 11, 2015 at 11:14 pm

    What a thoughtful gift, Claudia…I am sure she knew how much you would appreciate it. Looking forward to seeing that auction score!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 12, 2015 at 8:13 am

      I can’t wait to share it with you, Linda!

      Reply
  15. Mary says

    April 11, 2015 at 11:20 pm

    Hello egg cup queen! I love the story of you and Don playing Hardy BOY & GIRL – I’m like that when I really want to know the provenance of a china piece via its marks! You two did well.

    Great wooden egg cups Claudia – never seen any like that before.
    Happy weekend – Mary X

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 12, 2015 at 8:13 am

      I haven’t either. They’re really lovely, Mary!

      Reply
  16. Vicki says

    April 12, 2015 at 2:33 am

    Hardy Boy and Girl; too funny!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 12, 2015 at 8:14 am

      We may just have to go on more sleuthing adventures!

      Reply
  17. Doris says

    April 20, 2015 at 6:12 pm

    Thank you Claudia for your help. I am excited to have a McCoy!! Doris

    Reply
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I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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