Walter Scott Lenox was born in 1859 in the “Staffordshire of America”: Trenton, N.J. which became the USA’s leading ceramics center and boasted some 200 potteries in the 19th century. Lenox worked as a decorator and designer for several Trenton potteries beginning in 1875 and six years later he advanced […]
Dame Muriel Spark (née Muriel Sarah Camberg) was born in Edinburgh on the 1st February 1918, and 2018 is the centenary of her birth. She is most famous for her sixth novel, published in 1961, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, with its eponymous title character, the free spirited Miss […]
200 years of Frankenstein books, collectables and toys With the 200th Anniversary of the publication of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, what better time than to look the work that still inspires new editions, collectables and toys. Authored by Mary Shelley (30 August 1797 – 1 February 1851) when she was just 19 […]
Baccarat Crystal and Baccarat Paperweights Baccarat Crystal is a manufacturer of fine crystal glassware located in Baccarat, France. The Musée Baccarat, on the Place des États-Unis in Paris, displays many of its finest productions. Pictured right: A very rare Baccarat concentric millefiori `fireworks’ paperweight circa 1848, it was made specifically […]
Interest in Swansea and Nantgarw pottery and porcelain, as well as values have been increasing over the past few years with many comparing the prestige pieces of the short lived potteries to the best of any other pottery in the UK. The foremost collection of Welsh, Swansea and Nantgarw pottery was […]
The traditional Quimper faience pottery has been created in the Brittany region since the late 17th century and the tradition continues today with the Henriot Quimper factory. Another factory located in Quimper, Ceramiques de Cornouaille, is also continuing the proud tradition of pottery creation in the region. The Ceramiques de Cornouaille […]
Bécherel The City of Books. One of the highlights to a recent trip to Brittany was a visit to Bécherel The City of Books also the Village of Books. Being a collector of first editions, antiquarian and children’s books it was exciting to visit the 15 or so bookshops all […]
Collecting Butlins Badges and Butlins Memorabilia Each year millions of people head for sunnier climates to enjoy their annual holiday. Whether travelling to Spain, Italy or Florida, no-one gives a second thought to boarding an aircraft and jetting off to all the different corners of the globe. However, this wasn’t […]
If you combine Disney, ENESCO and talented artist Miss Mindy you get a wonderful and unique re-imagining of Disney with The World of Miss Mindy. The collection has definitely struck a chord here at WCN and everybody loves Miss Mindy’s take on Belle, Cogsworth and Lumiere. The launch collection of […]
Whilst travelling back from a toy fair where I saw a couple of Banana Splits toys, The Dickies version of the Banana Splits Tra La La song came on the radio. I was a massive fan of the show when I was younger so I thought I would indulge myself […]
