BACKGROUND:
My wife "collects" fabulous fancy chinaware but she is in the process of "moving along" into fine 19th Century figurines and the such ... Royal Albert and Doulton still hold a special place for her but she is anguishing over what should go and what should stay.
She has handed me this complete Royal Albert coffee set in the very popular American Beauty pattern. Actually I had to wait a little while as she was a bit undecided to let these go but in the end, some German lace porcelain took precedence so this coffee set is now seeking a new home ...
Actually we have decided to offer these coffee set pieces INDIVIDUALLY but as more pieces are purchased, greater and greater discounts are automatically applied in the checkout, up to 35% off in total
These means that instead of the complete setting for six costing A$287, the discounted total for ALL items making up the six person setting would only cost A$186.55 (A$100.45 discount) and of course the shipping is FREE to anywhere around Australia, insured of course.
Of course it is better (for her) that ALL pieces "leave home" as a complete setting but to be fair, sometimes folk just want a saucer or a cup or even just the coffee pot.
DLAT RATING: 9.9/10 (Darling Look At This!)
Smooth, gentle, soft Pink-Red rose buds but with a name like that I would have thought "French Beauty" was more appropriate (French women are very special, to me at least!) ... however, being a man, my wife corrected my thoughts - American Beauty refers to the famous rose introduced in 1875 and well known for its repeated blooming, beautiful Pink-Red's and high fragrance. Silly me ...
First, some general information ...
ROYAL ALBERT - Set Of Six Cups And Saucers, Creamer Jug, Sugar Bowl and Coffee Pot
(All are offered separately or as more pieces are added to an order, increasing automatic discounts are applied)
Made In England
Price indicated is for EACH PIECE, if purchased as a single item
Circa 1970's+
This age estimate is based on information provided to her when my wife obtained this coffee set in the early 1980's and the fact there are no artist marks on the underside. American Beauty was produced by Royal Albert across a 70 year time span, beginning in 1927 but as this set has no artist marks, production would have been much later - around the 1970's
Fine Bone China
Pattern: American Beauty
Design: Roses with foliage, lots of them on the topside, underneath and inside the teacup - as mentioned above, I have come to learn that this bloom is the rose American Beauty (makes sense doesn't it?)
Translucent, which means if held up to a strong light source, you can easily see the shadow of your fingers through the very fine china.
These pieces are noticeably "delicate" and I also noticed just how White the base china is, a very brilliant White and certainly not a Cream colouring.
Shape: The coffee cups have a noticeable "bulbous" shape, quite different from a teacup. All pieces have "fluted sides", and even the sugar bowl, creamer jug have special shaping to the sides. All handles are upturned, similar to a Queen Anne style. The coffee pot lid has a "locking" notch so when pouring, the lid doesn't drop to the table!
Gold gilding has been extensively applied to the various rims, base foot area, handles and the lid of the coffee pot. The gilding has been applied with a "feathered" effect, not a solid line.
BACKSTAMP DETAILS:
Makers mark printed on the base of the coffee cups, saucers, creamer jug, sugar bowl and Coffee pot
DIMENSIONS:
COFFEE CUP: 59mm mouth x 68mm height
(These are of the demitasse style i.e much smaller than a coffee mug or teacup)
SAUCER: 123mm diameter
SUGAR BOWL: 78mm diameter x 53mm height
CREAMER JUG: 50mm diameter mouth x 80mm height
COFFEE POT: 63mm diameter mouth (100mm at the widest point of the pot body) x 215mm height (lid included)
Due to the long, wide handle and spout the width between these two parts is 190mm
All of these dimensions are given so that the new owner may be able to judge what space may be required in their display cabinet for this complete coffee set for six persons.
COSMETIC CONDITION:
Of course this is probably the most important part of the description, what condition are they in?
These were very carefully looked after (and used a couple of times) by my wife HOWEVER a couple of little niggles with these ...
First let me give the overall condition (all pieces)
CLEAN
NO cracks
NO crazing
NO wear to ANY of the Gold gilding on any piece, very nice
NO wear to any of the decorations on any piece
THE FLAWS NOTICED ...
Coffee cup (just one fortunately) has a small but noticeable top rim chip (see the photograph), the asking price for this cup has been reduced accordingly.
Saucer (again, just one) has a couple of marks which I cannot figure out what they are (see the photograph) Like a rub mark on the saucer, coloured Purple. Normal cleaning (soap & water) would not remove the marks at all. Looking closely it is almost as though the marks are UNDER the glaze but I could not imagine the esteemed Royal Albert works would permit a 2nd to leave in this condition. Again, the asking price has been reduced accordingly.
These two flawed items are individually selectable when ordering, either include them with your requirements or don't select them (but them you will not be able to achieve the maximum discount possible)
OVERALL, this is a stunningly gorgeous, delicate and feminine coffee set (like my wife hehehe) My wife is sad to see this one go but she is now happier knowing that this set will "live" in another good home!
