Community Chat

[Oznell]

They just do;  I think it's part of their group mania for collecting,  everything from tiny shells to Staffordshire china dogs, to teatime paraphenalia, and on and on.  (A generalization, of course.)

Speaking of tea, how many millions of 'Diana, Princess of Wales' tea towels were generated...

One of my favorite house tour sites, "House and Garden UK",  has unveiled a few samples of the upcoming Coronation memorabilia, from "Dog and Dome".

The Crest cushion:

The King's Swan cushion:

The Lion and the Unicorn giclee print.  That cute unicorn is endearingly well-fed:

And then, going back a bit in English commemorative history, I noticed online this biscuit box of the Queen's Corgis, to mark Elizabeth II's Jubilee, I think:

Of course, a Jubilee, handmade tea cozy.   Practical.

And finally, back even farther,  a signed invitation from Queen Victoria to her great event.  One souvenir that might bring a pretty penny at auction:

Historical artifacts are fun.  Makes me want to try to find my Lincoln cup.  Unfortunately, it's modern, not from his time-- but it's a nice reminder of a fascinating figure and the Great Emancipator.

[phoenixbrd]

the animal cushions and prints....irresistible!

[Tinkrbl44]

Well, on late night TV there are people selling commemorative coins ... plates .... and whatnot. 

Since the shows have been on forever, somebody must be buying them.

[skatting44]

MacKenzie Childs has  Staffordshire dog lamps that would  compliment the collection showcased.

[chrystaltree]

If you did much traveling here in the US, you'd know that Americans love our collectibes.  Everywhere you go, from big cities to small towns, there are gift shops selling all manner of memorabilia.  Hence my coffee mug collection that celebrates every vacation and historical event.  My British friend will definitely send me some coronation items for my collection.  

[PamfromCT]

@Oznell, Quite an interesting and fun topic.  I have a drop of British blood, so now I have an excuse for my collecting.  Many years ago, we were the proud guardians of Willie the Corgi.  He was a darling little dog.  

I have bought several issues of British Edition Country Living and am enjoying it so much.  I recommend it if you love England.  I will say the dog collection on the mantel you showed is quite the pack!  You always find the most interesting topics!  I look forward to your posts and thank you so much.

[teganslaw]

Those are pretty commemorative pieces, but I thought that collecting went out of style a few years ago. No one I know seems to want items like this anymore. 

There must be some people who still collect, though. Maybe the British are more into it than Americans. 

[Oznell]

@phoenixbrd ,  I find them so too.  The artist's whimsical conception reminds me of the illustrations in old books of fairy tales...

@skatting44 ,  I bet they do an adorable Staffordshire dog lamp!  I've seen one or two lamps like that, here and there, and they are so charming.

Oh, @PamfromCT ,  you had a corgi!  What fun.  They are so cute, have always loved them.  They strike me as very busy, affectionate little characters.  Are they "high-energy"?   I have a small set of  blue and white Danish dog plates, and one of them is a corgi (Pembroke).   Thank you for kind words-  I love that there are one or two people here interested in the same stuff that I am!

I do think you are right,  @teganslaw ,  in that so many people want to pare down.   Interesting discussion.   Even I, years ago, decided I must thin out my admittedly already small collections of pewter, porcelain, glass, etc. down to just the absolute nub.   Just b/c I'm not comfortable with a high level of "inventory" in my small house to have to manage.  So, I have a finite amount of storage space, and I keep some of my more treasured items out, and then rotate them into storage and bring others out at other times, etc.

Of course, lots of people around the world, still have the collecting bug, more or less.   But the British, traditionally, have a long-standing love of it, and especially since they had all those fabled porcelain makers,  Wedgwood, Worcester,  Derby, Chelsea, on and on,  churning out beautiful objects from the 18th century on....

[lgfan]

I remember when King Charles and Diana were engaged. There were commemorative plates, calendars, coins, tea towels, etc. There were even cubic zirconia rings made that were duplicates of Diana's engagement ring. The hoopla surrounding Charles and Diana's engagement and wedding has never been matched by any other royal wedding.

[skatting44]