WHITE IRONSTONE NOTES VOL. 4 No. 3 WINTER 1998 RELISH DISHES WHITE IRONSTONE RELISH DISHES by Harriet Denton Ah, the handsome relish dishes! Collectors of 19th century white ironstone china treasure them, enjoy them, and search for more. They were made for serving special accompaniments to food or drink. In old shipping lists we find them mentioned as parts of dinner, dessert, and tea sets. But relish dishes was not a term used by the British potters who made them. Instead, they were called pickle dishes or pickel trays, or leaf dishes, or simply small plates. The earliest porcelain and pottery versions included leaf forms with dentil edge and replicas of shell forms. In reference books on old china, we find such dishes pictured as part of the fine dessert, supper and tea sets of the 18th and early 19th century. The 19th century potters of our white ironstone china doubtless were inspired by them and, happily for us, they expanded the designs into the varied and graceful pieces we now call relish dishes. But why did they need all those pickle dishes? They were widely used because the pungency of pickles helped to disguise the unpleasant taste of foods, especially meats, that were past their prime due to lack of refrigeration. (continued on page 4)
2 WICA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jim Kerr, President Ed Rigoulot, Vice President Bill Lancaster, Secretary Jack Allers, Treasurer Tom Moreland, Past President Beverly Dieringer Polly Gosselin Patty Spahr Hitt Fran Kinne Harry Lowe Olga Moreland Howard Noble Jill O Hara Honorary Lifetime Member Jean Wetherbee The WHITE IRONSTONE CHINA ASSOCI- ATION, INC. is a not-for-profit corporation. WHITE IRONSTONE NOTES is the official newsletter of the corporation. Photographs submitted by members become the property of WICA, Inc. and no article, photograph or drawing may be reproduced without the express permission of WICA, Inc. WHITE IRONSTONE NOTES is published and edited by Ernie and Bev Dieringer with associate editor, Harriet Denton. Drawings and photos are by Ernie and Bev Dieringer unless otherwise noted. Please send all news notes, articles, photos, suggestions, questions and listings for advertising or the Spare Parts column to: WICA, Box 536, Redding Ridge, CT 06876. Fax # 203 938 8378 or e-mail Dieringer1@aol.com. A three-ring notebook to save your issues of WHITE IRONSTONE NOTES is available at $8 plus $1.50 shipping. Total of $9.50. Back issues of the newsletter are available to members only at $6 each. Volume 1, #1, 2 & 3. Volume 2, #1, 2, 3 & 4. Volume 3, # 1, 2, 3, & 4. Make checks payable to WICA and send to the above address. ADVERTISING RATES Advertisements will be accepted in order of receipt from WICA members and space allowing, from non-members. Rates (subject to change): $10 per column inch (7 lines). Nonmembers, $20 per column inch. Members can list a single piece for sale free in the Spare Parts column each issue space allowing. Payment in full by check made out to WICA must accompany each ad. Send to newsletter address. Publishing deadlines are Dec. 1 for Winter, March 1 for Spring, June 1 for Summer, Sept. 1 for Fall. APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP Send $25 for each individual or $30 for two individuals at the same address with check made payable to WICA, to: Jim Kerr / WICA President, RD#1 - Box 23, Howes Cave, NY 12092. Please send all ADDRESS CHANGES to the same address. INDEX Pg. 3 Next Issues Pg. 3 Calendar Pg. 1 Relish Dishes Pg. 12 New and Unusual Pg. 13 Regional Reports Pg. 12 Relish Recipes Pg. 14 Spare Parts Pg. 14 Collectors Showcase FROM THE EDITORS DESK We wish you all the joys of the Holiday Season. In the last few months three books about white ironstone have been published. A review of one of them appears on page 3, and our reviews of two follow: Several of our members were contacted last year by Jeffrey Snyder, requesting the opportunity to photograph their ironstone collections for a proposed ironstone book. Dale Abrams Tea Leaf collection, a selection of Ellen Hill s Mulberry, Gale Frederick s Flow Blue, Dan Overmeyer's and our white ironstone. To our astonishment, the book is already in bookstores. It is called White Ironstone: A Survey Of Its Many Forms by Dawn Stoltzfus and Jeffrey Snyder, Schiffer Publishing Ltd. $34.95 softcover. There are over 700 color photographs and the format is alphabetical according to shape name. Whenever possible, the shape is shown in undecorated white and with Tea Leaf, Flo Blue and Mulberry decoration. There are large sections on maker s marks, children s ironstone and rare and unusual pieces. Dale Abrams wrote a short article about Tea Leaf and mentioned the Tea Leaf Club International. We were asked to write a short history of white ironstone and mention WICA. We were given credit in the front of the book for editing and pricing. We must publish a disclaimer. We were given the opportunity to edit only the information under the photos of our pieces. Also we are responsible for the pricing of our pieces only which we based on what we paid and Jean Wetherbee s price guide. The book is a nice addition to a library, but for real information, Jean Wetherbee s White Ironstone: A Collector s Guide is still the definitive reference book. Kitchen Ceramics by Susan Slesin, Daniel Rozensztroch and Stafford Cliff, $35.00, hardcover, published by Abbeville Press this last october 1997, is the third and latest book with a large amount of white ironstone. There are also sections on early red ware, sponge ware, mocha and yellow ware. Page 50-51 shows Jack Anspaugh s kitchen with a complete set of President Shape. The photography is outstanding and pieces are grouped by item; soup tureens, sauce tureens, vegetable tureens, pitchers, tea pots, etc. from the Moreland collection. There is almost no identification of shapes or makers. This is a beautiful book of photos of kitchen ceramics and is the third book in a series called Everyday Things. Now on to other things. Please note that we have lowered our advertising rates. Consider an ad if you want to sell ironstone or advertise your antiques business. LETTERS TO THE EDITORS Enclosed is some information which may be of interest to WICA. These are documents that pertained to my family s business here in the states. The firm of Davenport Brothers imported Davenport China and various other china and glass items. It was run by my great grandfather Thomas, and his two brothers. There are a number of invoices which show the prices which white ironstone sold for. These items are shown as W.G. which indicates white goods. Although no pattern names are listed, there seems to be some numeric system they referenced which probably identified the pattern sold. This information was obtained from the Smithsonian Institution and seems to have been used by the U.S. Customs in establishing duty on imported ironstone china. I hope that this may be helpful to WICA. Robert F. Davenport II New Milford, CT We were ecstatic when we opened his envelope. There were eight photo copies of hand written invoices dating from August 11th, 1853 to June 10th, 1884. The old script is hard to read but it seems that Davenport sold many oil lamps and supplies along with Agate Teas and Glass Nappies at the Princely price of $1.75 a dozen. We will put aside some time to go over this material and invite anyone else who is interested to request copies for research. Thank you, Robert. And this note came from England Two comments re Vol 4. No 2. Pg. 3 The Charles Meigh moulded jug is in the standard columned stoneware body -- we in the U.K. would not call this ironstone. The registration mark is the standard pre-1843 verbal wording. Pg. 10 The Sidney s Patent Jugs originally had glass port-holes. They were made in different sizes for different measures. Geoffrey Godden, West Sussex, England Geoffrey Godden is the author of many books on British ceramics and is considered the authority on this subject. He is going to be the keynote speaker at the 1999 Flow Blue Club Convention in Rochester, NY. Following is a letter which was sent to Dale Abrams from Gale Frederick in 1994. Dale was kind enough to pass it on to us with the photo. The piece must be over two feet tall and the lion head handles and dog finial are
outstanding. Here is the picture of the water cistern or cooler at the Hermitage. It is in white ironstone as you can see. If you study carefully, below the lid on the left but at the top of the base, is a large chip -- more like hunk -- larger than this green paper (4 x 6 ). Spout is made from pewter. There is a medallion on the front (hard to see) inscribed Samuel E. Moore, Importer of China & Earthenware, 37 Camp St, New Orleans. Gale Frederick, Toledo, OH And then we got this photo from Bill Lancaster. Enclosed is a photo of a jardiniere (no rim for any type of lid) in Gothic Cameo Lion s Head variant. It has no mark. It is 12 1/2 tall and the lion handles measure 4 1/2. Quite impressive! Bill Lancaster, Monroe, WI BOOK REVIEW: Supplying the Present Wants of Our Yankee Cousins... Staffordshire Ceramics and the American Market 1775-1880 by: Neil Ewins, 154 pages, soft cover for: The Journal of Ceramic History, Vol 15, 1997 Published by: City Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent, England. This long overdue work is certainly a welcome addition to many collectors, particularly those who collect ironstone and stoneware. Mr. Ewins leads us through how design decisions were influenced by production and consumption patterns here in the U.S. The influence the merchant had in the creation of designs in this Westward expanding country was of paramount importance. In fact, Ewins may have answered the question of why so many tea set shapes exist for the same body shape and/or design - competition was fierce and that we as a society demanded up-to-date styles. The book explores the role of retailers through pottery records, import documents, sales ledgers, and printed back marks. Social, economic and regional considerations played an important role in influencing taste. It is quite evident that retailers acted as importers and distributors, as well as taste arbiters. They were quite involved in determining the production of smaller manufacturers and in effect manipulated ceramic design. This work helps us understand the complexities and economic forces that came to play during this period. I heartily recommend this book to the collector. NEXT ISSUES SPRING 1998: Trent, Stafford and Pomegranate Shapes. SUMMER 1998: Convention coverage and an article on Wheat in all its variations. WHITE IRONSTONE: A COLLECTOR S GUIDE By Jean Wetherbee Hardbound copies are available from WICA for $25.95 plus $3 shipping. Send check made out to WICA, to: Fran Kinne 110 Hillside Ave. Tenafly, NJ 07670 CALENDAR MAY 1-3, 1998 4th Annual WICA National Convention, Wilmington, DE at the Radisson Hotel. Call Fran Kinne, Convention Chair. (201) 567 1202 SEPTEMBER 12, 1998 Region 4 hosted by Anne Miller and Kyle Husfloen in Galena, Illinois. Call Anne Miller for information. (815) 664 2450 NOVEMBER 14, 1998 Region 5 hosted by Sally and Howard Erdman in Denton, Texas. For information call (817) 387 5653 WHEAT, WHEAT, WHEAT!!! Check your cupboards, corners and under the bed for exciting or unusual examples of Wheat Patterns and Variations that you would be willing to put into the convention exhibit. So far over 60 potters have been identified! Contact Gloria Weatherby 304-478- 3815 or Polly Gosselin 860-233-2392 or Fran Kinne 201-567-1202. The more the merrier!!! Thanks. Flea Market, Flea Market, Flea Market!!! We have seen pieces with similar rims that have lids with an inner ring and overlap the Friday evening May 1st at the 1998 WICA edge. So it may be possible that this beauty Convention. For those interested, please once had a lid. check the appropriate box on the Convention form when it comes and information will be forthcoming. I m sending a little goodie packet. The K- Questions? Call Nancy Adams Mart booklet (Martha Stewart s line of paint (802) 874 4706 colors) Letters continued on page 12 Arnold Kowalsky, (914) 423 8899 3
RELISH DISHES Sydenham Shape double-stem leaf dish by J. Clementson. (Skinner collection) Sydenham by T. & R. Boote, 1853. (Lautenschlager collection) Columbia Shape by Elsmore & Forster. Note that it doesn t have a reticulated handle. Columbia Shape by E. Challinor, 1855. (Hurt photo and collection) (continued from page 1) Among the condiments of the time was Chow-chow (an old Chinese term meaning several kinds mingled together ) which came in two versions: a confection (sweetmeat) of gingered fruit and peels in heavy syrup, or as a spicy relish of chopped mixed pickles in mustard sauce. (Interestingly, the relish version of Chow-chow is still popular today, as is Piccalilli, a pickle or relish of East Indian origin, made of chopped vegetables and pungent spices.) By examining members relish dish collections we know that the ironstone dishes were made in several sizes and in sets. A set would have a master size (up to 11 ) and several small, possibly individual, servers. (See page 6 for examples of the master size, and a threepiece shell set.) We don t know just when the pickle or leaf dishes became known as relish dishes, but it seems to have happened in 19th century America. Possibly housewives used their dishes more often for serving relishes or jellies than for serving pickles. Or maybe the term was coined by an enterprising seller of china! In the language of that time the word relish, whether used as noun or verb, was a term of approval. For instance, a relish was a mixture that had a pleasing or appetizing taste, and was something taken with other food to render it more palatable: and people relished their food for the enjoyment of its flavor. Could this pleasant connotation cause the change from pickel to relish? Your thoughts on this are welcome. The 19th century was a period of great expansion for the United States as the population increased and moved westward. There was food in abundance during the growing months, and most people farmed or had home gardens. For the winter months, produce and meats were preserved by pickling, sugaring, salting, or canning. The plentiful fruits were made into conserves, preserves, butters, jams and jellies. Vegetables were combined with herbs and spices into sauces, chutneys, pickles and relishes. These were referred to as side dishes when served with other food. The field of relish dishes is a broad one, and becoming more so as we identify more shapes. In studying for this article, I went first to the three major books by our own Jean Wetherbee. Both A Look at White Ironstone and A Second Look at White Ironstone have entire chapters devoted to relish dishes. White Ironstone: A collector s Guide is a goldmine of information. See the set lists on page 22, which include side plates and pickles. And on page 23 you will 4 Grape leaf relish made by E. W. & Co. (possibly Edward Walley or Enoch Wood.) 7 long. (Allers collection) Fig/Union relish by J. Wedgwood, 1856. This relish has the identical registration mark as the Fig/Union dinner set. (Skinner collection) Potomac Shape by W. Baker & Co., 1862. Double Leaf variation by Barrow & Co. and by James Edwards, c. 1848. (Lowe photo and collection)
THE LEAF SHAPES find mention of mitten servers, a term familiar to collectors of tea leaf ironstone. I also found a reference to a form called Mitten (by Alcock) on page 46 of Annise Heaivilin s Grandma s Tea Leaf Ironstone. It is quite plain, but similar to an earlier relish dish by J. & G. Alcock (pictured on page 6 of this newsletter) which belongs to the Morelands. Several excellent publications on old china by eminent British authors were consulted. Although there is little text about pickle or sweetmeat dishes, the photographs of early dessert, supper, and tea sets with accompanying legend are quite informative. Sweetmeat dishes, however, have me stumped. I can find photographs of handsome centerpieces with hanging sweetmeat dishes, and lovely 1765 Leeds creamware shell forms identified as sweet-meat dishes, but so far I have found few details on china sweetmeat forms or even receipts for making the concoctions. Which leads me to believe that the potters of white ironstone may have used pickle or small plates as a broad or inclusive term for export. Stay tuned: I intend to check additional sources and continue the sweetmeat search. The following books are recommended reading: Geoffrey A. Godden s Mason s Patent Ironstone China and Guide to Mason s China and the Ironstone Wares. Chapter Seven of the latter has illustrations of small plates shown mainly as parts of dessert sets. (In fact, everything written by Godden is recommended reading.) Pottery & Porcelain Tablewares by John P, Cushion. The section entitled Plates & Dishes is excellent, especially the outline drawings on pages 175 and 176. Volumes I and II, The Dictionary of Blue and White Printed Pottery 1700-1800 by A. W. Coysh and R. K. Henrywood. A superb resource. English Toy China by Doris Anderson Lechler show many miniature dinner sets with two relish dishes each. Many shipping records list two relish dishes to a set. Unknown shape made by John Maddock. Leaf dish Berlin Ironstone by Liddle Elliot & Son. (Hurt photo and collection) There are numerous fine books on old china and ironstone, but they can be rather costly and thus are not in everyone s home library. Suggestion: Refer to the bibliography in Jean Wetherbee s A Collector s Guide for books to study, and then encourage your local library to stock them. AND if you wish to make something delicious to serve in your own relish dishes, see page 12 for recipes. Lily of the Valley by Anthony Shaw, c. 1856. One of the deepest shapes, see drawing. Husk shape with corn cob leaves, by James Edwards. (Moreland collection) A round grape leaf potted by James Edwards. This shape was also made by John Wylie & Son and J. Brunt. Pond Lily Pad by James Edwards. Leaf with Grape Cluster by J. W. & Son (John Wylie & Son). (Washburn photo and collection, also Adams and Moreland Collections) 5
SHELL AND FLOWER HANDLED RELISH DISHES Large master relish by J. & G. Meakin, 10 3/4 x 8 3/16. Unnamed pattern. (Stork photo and collection) Shell and Flower with five-petal flowers, by C. Meigh. (Hurt photo and collection) Prize Bloom by T. J. & J. Mayer. The flower motif has only four petals. 6 Master relish by Greenwood China, Trenton, NJ, 1862-75. 10 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 2 5/8 deep. (Lowe photo and collection) Master relish, unmarked, 10 1/4 long. (Hurt photo and collection) Boote s 1851 Shape. The master relish measures 10 1/2 x 9 3/4. (Allers collection) Chinese Shape by Anthony Shaw, registered in 1856. Another five petal flower design. This shape is often seen with copper luster Tea Leaf. (Hurt photo and collection) Unknown shape with five-petal flowers made by three different potters: Meigh, W. Adams and T. J. & J. Mayer. (Stork photo and collection also Moreland collections) Shell relish by Clementson. The same design element from the photo on the left was used on this relish by J. & G. Alcock, 1839-46.
SHELL RELISH VARIATIONS Columbia Shape by J. Meir & Son, Oct. 29, 1855. See New & Unusual marks on page 12. Memnon Shape by J. Meir, registered 1857. Shell Scroll by J. Furnival & Co. (Skinner collection) Also found with a J. W. Pankhurst mark (Fleischman collection) Bordered Gooseberry by J. Wedgwood & Co. Unknown shape with split pod by E. & C. Challinor. (Allers collection) Fluted Gothic by James Edwards. Impressed J. E. Porcelain ala Perle. Little Pear by E. C. & Co. (Fleischman collection) Small unmarked shell relish dish 7 7/8 x 4 1/2. Most average 8 1/2 to 9. (Lowe photo and collection) Scallop with cartouche by Powell & Bishop, 1876-78. Panelled Grape by J. Goodwin with Queen s Royal Ironstone mark. (Fleischman collection) Unknown shape by Edwin Bennett, after 1875 mark of Eagle over Crown, Baltimore Maryland. Scalloped Decagon/Cambridge Shape by J. Wedgwood and Davenport. Registered Oct. 6, 1854. 7
CAMEO AND GOTHIC RELISH DISHES J. F. Gothic Octagon, 7 x 6. Gothic Cameo by James Edwards. (Barber collection) Gothic Shell by J. Meir. (Allers collection) (Also Fleischman collection) 8 Corn & Oats made by both Davenport and J. Wedgwood. (Skinner collection) Gothic Cameo by John Alcock, 8 7/8 x 5 1/4. (Lowe photo and collection) Gothic Shell by H. Alcock. (Hurt collection) Also made by G. Wooliscroft, reg. Feb. 10, 1853 (Gonzales photo and collection) Laurel Wreath by Elsmore & Forster, reg. 1867. Curved Gothic by James Edwards. Unknown Shape by Meakin Bros. & Co. (Skinner collection) Classic Octagon by T. J. & J. Mayer, 1847. Fluted Pearl by J. Wedgwood, reg. Oct. 8, 1847. Eagle (Diamond Thumbprint) Stylized Flower by Henry by Gelson Bros, reg. Sept. Alcock & Co., after 1861. (Hurt photo and collec21, 1869. (Rich collection) tion)
WELL KNOWN SHAPES Grand Loop by J. F. (Allers collection) Berlin Swirl by Mayer & Elliot, reg. 1856. (Hurt photo and collection) Fig Cousin by both Davenport and J. Wedgwood, reg. 1861. (Allers collection) Fuschia made by both J. & G. Meakin and George Jones. 9 x 5 1/2. (Skinner collection) Athens Shape by Podmore & Walker, reg. 1855. One of the smallest relish dishes at 7 long. Hebe Shape by John Alcock, reg. 1853. 8 1/2 x 6. Scrolled Bubble by J. W. Pankhurst. (Hurt photo and collection) President Shape by John Edwards, reg. 1855. (Anspaugh collection) Trumpet Vine by Liddle & Elliot, 1865. (Hurt collection) Prairie Flowers by Powell & Bishop. (Kerr collection) Ivy Wreath Shape by John Meir & Son. Two President Shape round relish dishes, 5 1/2. The handles are different and match the round and oval soup tureen undertray handles. (Anspaugh collection) 9
Great Ivy With Berries by John Maddock & Sons. (The black dot at top represents a hole on the handle., Hurt collection) Unmarked, possibly Sevres. (Hurt collection) Also seen with a hole marked J. Edwards. Grenade type by Henry Alcock, after 1861. 9 1/4 x 5 3/4. (Lowe collection) Grenade type by J.F. Grenade type unmarked. Lily Shape by E. Corn, 1860 s. (Hurt collection) Grenade Shape by T. & R. Boote, impressed mark. (LaCombe collection) Also found identical relish marked Bridgwood & Clark and a similar one marked W. Baker & Co. Ribbed Chain by J. W. Pankhurst. (Hurt Photo and collection) Lined Glory by John Maddock & Sons, 1860 s. Bell Flower by John Edwards. (Fleischman collection) Western Shape by Hope & Carter, reg. Sept. 1862. (Fleischman collection) Ribbed Bud by Pankhurst. Trent Shape by John Alcock, reg. June 7, 1855. Pomegranate by J.F. Note single loop in ribbon border. 10
Ceres with cable by Elsmore & Forster. Ceres without cable by Elsmore & Forster. Ceres without cable by Turner & Goddard. Wheat & Clover by Turner & Tompkinson. Citron Shape by J. Clementson, 1863. (Skinner collection) Unknown shape by Richard Alcock. (Skinner collection) Pearl Sydenham by J & G Meakin. St. Louis Shape by John Edwards. Baltic Shape by G. Wooliscroft. Pearson s #5 Shape by E. Pearson. Unknown Shape b y J. Wedgwood. Plain relish marked Buffalo China 1918, Q.M.C. possibly U.S. Army Quartermaster Corp. 8 5/8 x 5 1/8. (Lowe photo, collection) Budded Vine by Meakin Bros & Co. Also made without the floral ring and only the stems and leaves on both ends. (Hurt collection) Washington Shape by John Meir & Son, 9 1/4 long, 1863 and also made by Powell & Bishop. New York Shape, reg. 1858. 11
NEW AND UNUSUAL Jean Wetherbee gave us this tracing (greatly reduced here) of a 16 x 10 1/2 platter. She had never seen this shape before and when she turned it over, she was surprised to see it clearly impressed with the mark shown at the right. Atlantic Shape by Samuel Alcock. The Atlantic Shape we are familiar with is by T. & R. Boote. The mark above was found on the relish dish shown on page 7, top left. The interesting thing about this mark is not the shape name or the potter. Look at the Roman numeral at the top of the diamond. The number for pottery is IV, this one is marked VI. Probably a dyslexic designer. Has anyone seen this error before? Also, this date is not listed for Meir in Cushion s Book of Marks. At the right, Peas with Pod by E. Pearson, Cobridge, reg. May 11, 1863. In Jean Wetherbee s last book this shape is in her index of Known Registered Shapes but no image could be found. We made this drawing from a badly stained platter found in a dark booth in Pennsylvania. It was the best we could do under the circumstances. 12 Letters continued from page 3 was found by my daughter. There is a photo of three ewers inside the back cover, some ironstone pieces used as decoration, and a shade of paint is now called Ironstone White. Carol Fleischman, Joliet, IL The Martha Stewart/K-Mart paint brochure is a find. Did you know that the photo of the three ewers was from an article that was done for Martha Stewart Living magazine of the Moreland s collection? (February 1993 page 28-32) I couldn t help but respond to questions raised in the Editors Desk column of the fall issue of White Ironstone Notes. Lincoln s home went under major restoration in the 1980 s. Workers found shards of early white ironstone while digging in the grounds. The curators decided to replace the Staffordshire transfer, which had been initially displayed, with white ironstone. By using the shards, the National Park Service scoured antique shows and purchased similar ironstone items in 1987 from me. I believe they also found other pieces from other dealers. These ironstone pieces are the ones now displayed in Lincoln s home in Springfield, IL. Rae D. Gaiser, Chester, NJ How rewarding it is to ask a question and have it answered, not to mention the historical information. THREE RELISH RECIPES Rosemarie Flum, of Potomac, Maryland, offers this recipe from her grandmother Cenkaski. GREEN TOMATO RELISH 1 peck green tomatoes 6 green peppers 2 red peppers 6 onions 5 cents worth celery 1/2 c. horseradish 1/4 c. salt 1 t. ground allspice 1 t. cinnamon 1 t. cloves 3 quarts vinegar 2 lbs. brown sugar Grind tomatoes, peppers & celery (6 good-sized stalks with leaves) in meat grinder with medium blade. Drain the juice from the ground vegetables before adding the vinegar. Boil (simmer) one hour. Ladle into hot sterilized jars (pint size Mason) and seal immediately. If you want a sweet relish, use 3 pounds of brown sugar. However, the 2-pound recipe is great with most roast meats. GREEN TOMATO PICKLE 1 gallon tomatoes - or about 30 medium to large 1/2 c. salt 2 green & 1 red pepper, sliced 1/4 thick 6 med. onions sliced in thin rings and separated Use large crock or container (prefer ceramic). Alternately put in a layer of tomatoes, onions and peppers, and sprinkle with the salt. Repeat until all the vegetables have been layered and sprinkled. Let mixture stand overnight. The next morning pour off all the liquid, but do not wash the mixture. Make Vinegar Solution: 4 c. white vinegar 1/2 t. celery seed 1 1/2 c. water 1 t. turmeric powder 1/2 t. powdered alum 2 T. mustard seed 1 1/2 c. white sugar 1 1/2 c. light brown sugar Put in large kettle and bring to boil. When boiling, add the drained tomato, onion and pepper mixture. Stir and let simmer for 8 minutes. Pack in hot jars and seal at once. Yield: 6 pints. This third recipe sounds yummy and was found in a recent issue of a cooking magazine. GREEN APPLE, APRICOT AND GINGER CHUTNEY 2 T. vegetable oil 1 med. onion, sliced thin 1 med. tomato, diced 2 green apples, diced 1/2 c. apricots, diced 1 T. fresh ginger, minced 2 med. garlic cloves, minced 1/2 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced 1/4 cup white vinegar 1/2 c. packed brown sugar 1/2 c. fresh orange juice Salt and pepper to taste Heat oil in a large ceramic or glass sauce pan over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add ingredients from tomato to chili pepper. Cook 2 minutes, stirring until blended. Add vinegar, sugar, and orange juice and simmer, stirring occasionally, until juices thicken, about 5 minutes. Cool to room temperature, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Store in airtight container in refrigerator up to 2 weeks.
REGIONAL REPORTS REGION 5 WICA MEETING The third annual Region 5 WICA meeting took place in Houston on November 8, with twenty-four enthusiastic participants. (Photo above) And a most successful gathering it was, with lots of intriguing white objects to see and to buy, great company, and gorgeous weather. The day began at the home of Patty and Jack Hurt with chilled pumpkin soup and cheese straws and continued with an ironstone sale, followed by an excellent and very interesting talk and slide presentation by Frances Marquis, director of the Museum of Texas Handmade Furniture in New Braunfels (WICA member). This small jewel of a museum, housed in an early Texas Greek Revival cottage, contains not only many fine pieces of Texas furniture but an outstanding collection of white ironstone as well. After a buffet lunch, the show went on the road to the home of Anne and John Bedford, where John s homemade pineapple-upsidedown-cake awaited us. Plenty of time was allotted to view the Bedfords large and lovely collection, which was all collected within a seven-year period in the Houston area (NOT known for an abundance of white ironstone!) Afternoon events were Show and Tell and a brief meeting, at which it was decided that next year s gathering would be hosted by Sally and Howard Erdman in Denton, Texas on November 14, 1998. We re pleased as can be with the growth of WICA in Region 5 -- and the fact that several traveled long distances to be with us! By Patty Hurt THIRD MID-ATLANTIC REGION 7 MEETING There was perfect weather for the September 20th meeting. Kathleen and Tony Constable welcomed members to their home in Frederick, Maryland, a historic small city near Sugar Loaf Mountain. The enthusiastic group of 28 greatly enjoyed the day, which started off with a lively Show & Tell. First up was a Reed & Barton silver thermal pitcher complete with a stand and liner -- and the liner was white ironstone! An outstanding piece. Next was a white 4 boot, too deep for matches so probably a spill holder. The third items were quite unusual: several elaborate pieces of 20th century American Red-Cliff brought by new members, Barbara and Sam Savasten. A pierced holder for boiled eggs followed; then a well-marked small jug with pewter top. S&T concluded with a circular piece that no one could identify for sure, but interesting. The educational feature was a Web Talk and demonstration by Tony Constable entitled WICA Comes to the Internet, and Vice Versa, accompanied by a six-page handout on how WICA members can communicate with each other via the Web. Those of us who were PC-Web dummies beforehand came away with a better understanding of how the Internet works. (Thank you, Tony.) Members with know-how can now converse by using WICA s Universal Resource Locator code, which is: http://www.ironstonechina.org. Enjoy! Following a delicious lunch of two kinds of lasagna, salad, and dessert (and a short walk in the sunshine) there was a brief business meeting. Then it was time for treasure hunting in the goodies brought for sale by Jack and Janet Allers, Jane Diemer, Ray Secrist, and Gloria Weatherby. It was a very stimulating as well as an enjoyable get-together. Again, a big Thank you to our hosts, the Constables. by Harriet Denton FIRST MEETING FOR WICA REGION 8 The first meeting of WICA Region 8 (New York State and Ontario, Canada), took place on Saturday September 27, 1997 at the home of Mara & Jim Kerr in Howes Cave, NY. A small, but talkative group of ten members enjoyed a morning of visiting, show & tell and examining items of white ironstone brought for sale. All attending were pleasantly surprised that author Jean Wetherbee was able to travel from New Hampshire at the last minute and join us in sharing information about recent discoveries she has made. Following lunch, we watched and discussed the excellent video Pot Bank. Produced in England, this video traces the history of the 19th century pottery industry and documents the last firing of a bottle kiln in the Staffordshire district. As no date or place was chosen for the Region 8 meeting in 1998, the opportunity to host next year s is available. by Mara Kerr These Regionals are a wonderful opportunity for members who are unable to attend the Annual National Convention. Convention attendees have an added opportunity to enjoy the company of others who enjoy white ironstone. Regionals are, in effect, mini-conventions. They are usually a one day event, but have a show and tell, a speaker or a video, a luncheon and an opportunity to buy some white ironstone. Regionals are not difficult to organize and host. Bill Lancaster has an excellent handout which details the steps in a time-line format, to create a Regional. Write or call him at: 622 19th Avenue Monroe, WI 53566 (608) 325 5724 13
WANTED BLOCK OPTIC by J. & G. Meakin sugar bowl lid 3 1/4 x 2 1/4 Peggy Goodrich (405) 237 7371 FLUTED BAND creamer (pg. 46, Collector s Guide), CERES by E. & F. sugar bowl with Rockingham decoration. Jane M. Diemer (302) 475 7412 LAUREL WREATH by E & F sugar bowl lid, inside measure 3 1/4, WHEAT by W. & E. Corn (rectangular shape) inside measure 3 x 2 1/16, BERLIN SWIRL by Mayer & Elliot tureen to replace a smashed one. Sally Erdman (940) 387 5653 WHEAT & CLOVER by Turner and Tomkinson (pg. 100, Collector s Guide) wash set bowl and other bathroom pieces, PRAIRIE FLOWERS by Livesley, Powell & Co. creamer. Pegeen L. Kline (610) 562 2980 SCROLLED BUBBLE sugar bowl lid, DRAPED LEAF teapot lid, CORN & OATS teapot lid. Ron Stork (219) 875 5443 SPARE PARTS LAUREL WREATH coffee pot lid: 3 5/8-3 3/4 overall dimension, will buy or trade. Ray Secrist (717) 235 5874 BALTIC and PRIZE BLOOM creamers, FULL RIB and SCROLLED BUBBLE creamers & sugars. Fran Kinne (201) 567 1202 Chestnut basket undertray (see Collector s Guide pg. 195, fig. 20-3), FIG miniature creamer. Janet Allers (914) 876 3757 CERES small chamber pot base, CERES rectangular soap dish base, PRAIRIE SHAPE soup tureen bowl Ed Rigoulot (817) 354 4644 FUCHSIA teapot lid. Jim Kerr (518) 296 8052 PRIZE BLOOM, CAMEO GOTHIC, BOOTE S 1851, ALCOCK S 10-SIDED GOTHIC, need all soup tureen lids. Ernie Dieringer (203) 938 3740 BERLIN SWIRL soap dish lid. Harriet Denton (301) 299 8348 FOR SALE Soup tureen underplates: $110 each FUCHSIA by Meakin Bros & Co. SEVRES by John Edwards. Ray Secrist (717) 235 5874 CERES miniature tea set including waste bowl and cups and saucers, $750. Collection of WHEAT AND CLOVER including service for eight and many serving pieces. MORN- ING GLORY 3 piece sauce tureen, $325. For details, call Jane Diemer (302) 475 7412 WHITE IRONSTONE For sale by mail, satisfaction guaranteed. Please send LSASE for our Winter 98 listing. White ironstone bought, sold and appraised, single items or entire collections. Jim & Mara Kerr Cavern View Antiques RD # - Box 23 Howes Cave, NY 12092 COLLECTORS SHOWCASE 14 A very complicated serving piece from 1889 which measures 13 inches long. The base has a hollow interior which is filled with hot water and closed with a cork plug. The surface of the dish has a well and tree embossment which suggests that this piece was intended for serving a small roast or fowl. The picture on the left shows the rotating lid separately and the middle picture shows the piece fully assembled. The mark speaks for itself. Another fine example of American ingenuity.