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by Rosemary Lee Potter
Special to Tropical Breeze
It's not really unusual to find a husband
and wife pursuing collecting adventures together, but it's always
fun to hear such a pair as they proudly talk about their collection
and the special experiences which collecting afforded them. Such is
the enthusiastic case of Palm Harbor residents, Todd and Gail.
From the moment I was invited inside their
door, it was a grand show and tell -- all about the many and
various ceramic prizes these folks have collected through the past
36 years.
According to Todd, their collecting
adventures began with two significant events. In 1971 a good friend
brought them a remarkable housewarming gift, one which would
inspire years of enjoyment and acquisition. The gift was a large
jug formed as the head of Robin Hood, the familiar character,
memorably played in those film days by Errol Flynn and made to look
like the famous, dashing actor.
The second collecting "invitation" came
when Todd and Gail went to a fish fry. They were struck by a
collection of such ceramic items arranged on a plate rail, one of
which stretched all around the room.
While such ceramic jugs are numerous, who
would have guessed at first the numerous categories and sizes of
them, the heads of numerous people depicted -- besides movie and
theater stars, there are literary (Captain Hook of Peter Pan) and
political figures, sports and historical figures, to mention but a
very few categories. At this point more than 400 jugs on the
shelves offer a surprising "stare," when you enter the area. So
many eyes are aimed at you, visitors often say the eyes are
"looking at them!"
Not to mention are 35 gorgeous Royal
Doulton figures, also arranged to peer at us.
Another charming way Todd and Gail have
distinguished their collection was to house American historical and
British character jugs in separate cabinets. The jugs are also
displayed by size, larger ones about 7-8 inches and smaller ones
perhaps about 4 inches tall or even shorter, called "teenies.'
As husband and wife, Todd and Gail have
acquired some delightfully shared pieces. Royal Doulton figurines
appeal to Gail. It's a pleasure to learn that Todd bought her a
beautiful lady figure in a flowing cherry red gown because the
label on the piece is "Gail." They've also invested in a special
small piece which depicts two people sitting heart-to-heart as
collectors, this one entitled "Partners in Collecting."
At one point Todd and Gail went to
Coventry, England with a young man, their good friend, Aaron
Rimpley from Miami, who with his colleague, Gregg Whittecar, are
noted authorities on Royal Doulton. Co-Authors of Royal Doulton: A
Legacy of Excellence Schiffer, 2003, not only do the dealers call
English galleries a place of business, they own Whitley Collection
in Miami along with Whittecar's Seaway China, featuring beautiful
ceramic ware. How wonderful for this couple that these friends are
always on the look-out for unusual jugs or figurines for their
collection.
Todd's biggest surprise is how large the
collection has become and special, his oldest jug being the figure
of the famous stage character, "Charley's Aunt," probably from
1913. Successfully limiting the collecting to buying special or
rare jugs, Todd has acquired many jugs on eBay. Now, he's looking
for older jugs, say from the 1930s or 1940s.
Meanwhile, those who visit these folks can
expect and enjoy an evening together with them sure to be regaled
by the exciting continuing tales associated with collecting these
jugs, these figurines. It's what really passionate collectors do.
It's part of the thrill of discovery, the self-education of
learning about something about which few others know anything at
all.
You can't miss the admiration of the
onlookers, though, who are unlikely to ever participate at the
obviously enthusiastic level of their friends.
Be careful, however. The Collecting Bug is
catching!
© 2007 Rosemary Lee Potter. All
Rights Reserved.
Rosemary Lee Potter is a confirmed victim
of the collecting bug and can be reached by e-mail at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
or write to her in care of Tropical Breeze,
P.O. Box 585, Safety Harbor, FL 34695.
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