broken china

ntantiques said:

The Bubbo said:

After much finagling and sibling rivalry I managed to inherit my mother's
Wedgwood china (I think my argument that my mom gave my sister the Saab was
pretty much the end of the debate). I've had this china since May and Friday
night was the first time I'd really gotten to use it.

I had a complete set of Wedgwood before, but my ex got that in the Great
Division of Property (I also lost my KA food processor, but I got the buffet
crammed full of serving dishes).

After the night of the first real use, David accidentally drops a bread plate
and shatters it. I'm not mad, i know it was an accident, but that damned
thing, that small 6 inch plate, costs $23 plus shipping.

My Mom's china was an obscure 1950's Royal Doulton pattern that (even
in my years as an antiques dealer) I've never seen anywhere else. When
she died, my Dad remarried & I saw precious little of the china, but
always remembered it fondly. After my Dad & Stepmother died a few
years ago their daughters divided their estate. I was delighted to walk
away with the remnants of Mom's Royal Doulton service for 8. Over the
years there'd been significant breakage and I was down to a complete
service for 5. After suffering severe sticker shock at the
Replacements website, I tried ebay & w/in a month scored every piece I
needed to restore the service to its full glory...for a tenth of the
cost at Replacements. If I were you I'd give ebay a whirl.

Nancy T

Being in the trade doesn't make it any easier to find the stuff
sometimes does it? I've been searching for the past four years for the
pieces I need to fill in what was once service for 24.
Gr.-Grandmother-in-Law bought the set around 1910 at Gumps in San Fran
and had it shipped back to Boston. Adams Titian Ware in the Alcazar
pattern seems next to non-existant on the east coast, Ebay has been
kind to me on uncommon pieces but oatmeal bowls seem near impossible to
locate. None of my dinnerware patterns are still active but this is
the hardest to find, filling in her missing Rose Medalion pieces was
exponentially easier.

Jessica

In article <[email hidden]>,

The Bubbo said:

Now I am just patiently waiting for the christmas china...

Becky? Is that YOU? Pretending to be Heather? JEEEZus!
--
http://www.jamlady.eboard.com, updated 12-22-05

Melba's Jammin said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

The Bubbo said:

Now I am just patiently waiting for the christmas china...

Becky? Is that YOU? Pretending to be Heather? JEEEZus!

We're all the same...patiently biding our time...

--
..:Heather:.
www.velvet-c.com
Step off, beyotches, I'm the roflpimp!

Wayne Boatwright said:

No, my Royal Jackson pattern is Cherry Branch. My mom always though it
looked like Christmas china.

http://www.replacements.com/webquote/ROJCHB.htm

Very pretty! I think it looks like Spring.

Quoted message said:

My Wedgewood is the Queensware Shell Edge, Cream on Lavender.

http://www.replacements.com/webquote/WW_CCLS.htm

Gorgeous! Except, I've actually tried to imagine using it as "eating"
china and came up with a big NO because I'd probably chip it in a New
York minute. You must be a lot more careful than I am. LOL

--

Practice safe eating. Always use condiments.

On Mon 26 Dec 2005 10:52:58p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it sf?

Quoted message said:

Wayne Boatwright said:

No, my Royal Jackson pattern is Cherry Branch. My mom always though it
looked like Christmas china.

http://www.replacements.com/webquote/ROJCHB.htm

Very pretty! I think it looks like Spring.

Thanks! I never thought about it before, but I think your right.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

My Wedgewood is the Queensware Shell Edge, Cream on Lavender.

http://www.replacements.com/webquote/WW_CCLS.htm

Gorgeous! Except, I've actually tried to imagine using it as "eating"
china and came up with a big NO because I'd probably chip it in a New
York minute. You must be a lot more careful than I am. LOL

Thanks, again! I really love this pattern. I collected it from age 22 to
age 25, have 12 place settings and lots of serving pieces. It's really a
rather sturdy china, the only issue being the border. It's fine in the
dishwasher, and as long as the pieces are stacked with separators, there's no
damage to the border. In fact, in the 35+ years I've used it, I have never
damaged a piece, apart from 1 dinner plate that I broke by setting it down on
an electric burner that I didn't know was turned on. It exploded!

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
__________________________________________________________________
And if we enter a room full of manure, may we believe in the pony.

Melba's Jammin said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

The Bubbo said:

After much finagling and sibling rivalry I managed to inherit my mother's
Wedgwood china (I think my argument that my mom gave my sister the Saab was
pretty much the end of the debate). I've had this china since May and Friday
night was the first time I'd really gotten to use it.

I had a complete set of Wedgwood before, but my ex got that in the Great
Division of Property (I also lost my KA food processor, but I got the buffet
crammed full of serving dishes).

After the night of the first real use, David accidentally drops a bread plate
and shatters it. I'm not mad, i know it was an accident, but that damned
thing, that small 6 inch plate, costs $23 plus shipping.

Dammit.

Right. The bum. Accidents happen,
But, frankly, that seems reasonably priced to me.
--

My philosophy: If you have something you don't want to risk being
broken by guests, and don't want t have to hover over it worrying about
it while entertaining -- then don't use it! Pu [censored] on display behind
locked glass doors. Leave it in sight to impress people, but not
worry. But then, I think it's crass to have displays just to
"impress," so I don't do that. I think entertaining is a time to
relax, even if it is slightly formal. I don't buy anything I would
worry about breaking.

I once loaned some crystal wine glasses to a friend for an event. They
were returned packed badly in a box with two broken. I didn't say a
word. Would never. However, I won't loan him anything again.

The Bubbo said:

P.Aitken said:

It sounds like this china is nothing but a source of worry for you. Why
bother - to impress people? It is meant to be used, and therefore will
get broken. Enjoy it and accept the inevitable breakage - or put it on
display where it is safe.

Peter

welcome to the wonderful world that is me where I worry about everything and
everything is a source of anxiety.

I like the china, I like to eat off it and I like servinbg on it. I think it's
pretty. I know things will break but I'd like to keep the 8 place settings
that I have complete.

--
.:Heather:.

Well, still, logic says you have a choice: Use it and risk breaking,
or keep it safe by not using it. Life is tough.

Quoted message said:

www.velvet-c.com
Step off, beyotches, I'm the roflpimp!

Wayne Boatwright said:

I have never
damaged a piece, apart from 1 dinner plate that I broke by setting it down on
an electric burner that I didn't know was turned on. It exploded!

Oh, I did that once with a platter... except I accidentally turned on
the burner while it was on it and it sat there for who knows how long
heating up. Of course, I panicked. Instead of just turning off the
burner and letting it cool down on the burner, I took it off and set
it on my wooden cutting board thinking it wouldn't shock the china.
Wrong! It didn't explode, but it did crack in 1/2 so I ended up
kissing my favorite platter goodbye.
--

Practice safe eating. Always use condiments.

Dave Smith said:

I have never been a fan of really fancy dishes, especially the sort that are
easily broken and difficult to replace. I opted for nice every day dishes that
are nice for us and nothing to be embarrassed about using for special company.
When we were first married we went with A Franciscan pattern. A few pieces got
broken, and when I went to replace them I found that the pattern had been
discontinued. When we got down to the point where we needed a new set, I chose
a Johnson Bros. pattern that had been around for years. Damned if that pattern
suddenly got pulled. So when we ran low on cups and saucers it was time to
look for another pattern. We really liked another Johnson Bros. pattern and
bought 8 settings of it. We broke two plates within the first 6 months so I
headed back to the store to order replacements. Son of a gun, that pattern had
been discontinued. Thank goodness there is a place not too far from here were
there is a good stock of some of the discontinued patterns and we got the
replacements. We thought that we were out of luck, but my wife discovered that
there were bread and butter plates available in that pattern, which was odd,
because when we originally bought the place settings there were no bread and
butter plates in that pattern. My wife ordered a bunch of them for herself for
Christmas.

Good story.... it sounds like your interest is the kiss of death for
china patterns!

🙂

--

Practice safe eating. Always use condiments.

Oh I have to chime in. I still love my Lenox Royal Scroll - bone china
with a raised dot in the paint and a gold band, but machine washable.

http://www.replacements.com/webquote/L__ROSC.htm

Lenox sent me a note this year that they're taking it out of production
so stock up! But I have service for 9, teapot, platter, veg. bowl,
sugar & creamer, salt and pepper. I really don't need any more. I love
what I've got.

Used it at a potluck recently and were the other kids impressed! Or at
least the one who noticed the raised dot. I didn't put it out to
impress anybody BTW, I just think it's pretty and I needed to use every
plate in the house to feed the multitudes. Didn't want to use paper.

Funny that I have a thing for crockery. I'm not "like that" otherwise.

Leila

Melba's Jammin said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Damsel in dis Dress said:

On Mon, 26 Dec 2005 09:36:43 -0600, Melba's Jammin'
<[email hidden]> wrote:

And you're leaving these to me in your will, right ... Mom?

They're beautiful!

Carol

Quoted message said:

I once asked my
daughter what, of my Stuff, she wants when I croak. Well, now, she
*promptly* replied, "The sterling, your diamond bracelet, the Christmas
dishes, and your good china and crystal." MY reply was, "Jeez, have

snip-

Quoted message said:

http://www.jamlady.eboard.com, updated 12-22-05

I don't see our Jill McQ piping up here. Jill, don't think I haven't
forgotten those green birds. You're *NOT* using them, are you, Jill?

You know I want them, dearest.

Now you're too young to croak (and we have the same birthdate, within a
year or two of each other IIRC) so we can't really talk about wills and
such.

But I remember those peacocks.

Pretty please?

Love,

Leila
Green-eyed for china - Jill's china.

Dan Abel said:

In article <[email hidden]>,
The Bubbo <[email hidden]> wrote:

Many years ago, several of us went to somebody's house. Everything was
perfect. Her nails were perfect, the house was perfect, her makeup was
perfect and her kids were perfect. I felt sorry for her kids. That's
not fun. She served us some little food item on little plates. She
made a big point about how the plates were rimmed in platinum and cost
US$90.00 each. I couldn't wait to finish the food and give the plate
back.

No hostess with manners would be so crass as to make such a point. Was
she trying to sell you the dishes? Sheesh.

I put out my good china along with the Williams-Sonoma buffet plates at
a potluck recently, given for students and teacher at my novel workshop
at grad school. People don't have lots of money when they're in grad
school. I wouldn't think of saying: these are the expensive dishes,
they cost $125 a place setting, on sale, but they're more expensive
now. I want my guests to enjoy their food and if they notice the dishes
are pretty, so much the better. Also I don't want to flaunt my good
fortune. I'm 10-15 years older than most of these kids and I was lucky
enough to marry a guy who earns well; his side of the family also
believes in generous wedding presents, so I got money and/or gifts for
all kinds of kitchen/dining stuff. This is all just sheer luck. If it
weren't for my great family - and his - I wouldn't have any of this
stuff. Why brag about it, if it might make people feel uncomfortable?
I'm only talking about it here because this thread is for china mavens.

Dan - if you ever come to my house for dinner, you are welcome to use
the porcelain dinner plates and mismatching dessert dishes. If I forget
and serve you on the bone china, remind me and I'll switch ya.

Leila

Quoted message said:

Thanks, again! I really love this pattern. I collected it from age 22 to
age 25, have 12 place settings and lots of serving pieces. It's really a
rather sturdy china, the only issue being the border. It's fine in the
dishwasher, and as long as the pieces are stacked with separators, there's
no
damage to the border. In fact, in the 35+ years I've used it, I have
never
damaged a piece, apart from 1 dinner plate that I broke by setting it down
on
an electric burner that I didn't know was turned on. It exploded!

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*

Wayne, when you move into your new abode, I hope you will not have packers
doing your packing for you. Although I had one set of packers once who did
a better job than I ever would/could. But, I think that is rare.
Dee Dee

On Tue 27 Dec 2005 07:20:50a, Dee Randall wrote in rec.food.cooking:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Thanks, again! I really love this pattern. I collected it from age 22
to age 25, have 12 place settings and lots of serving pieces. It's
really a rather sturdy china, the only issue being the border. It's
fine in the dishwasher, and as long as the pieces are stacked with
separators, there's no damage to the border. In fact, in the 35+ years
I've used it, I have never damaged a piece, apart from 1 dinner plate
that I broke by setting it down on an electric burner that I didn't
know was turned on. It exploded!

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*

Wayne, when you move into your new abode, I hope you will not have
packers doing your packing for you. Although I had one set of packers
once who did a better job than I ever would/could. But, I think that is
rare. Dee Dee

Thanks for the thought, Dee. When we moved from OH to AZ I had packers
for everything, primarily because any resulting damages were insured for
100% replacement. There wasn't a scratch or breakage in the whole moving
van. We were quite lucky. Local movers are another story, though. I
don't trust them. We will be moving all the china, lamps, electronics,
etc., ourselves. The movers will be handling the furniture and non-
breakables.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
____________________________________________

Give me a smart idiot over a stupid genius any day.
Sam Goldwyn, 1882-1974

Quoted message said:

Melba's Jammin said:

The Bubbo said:

After much finagling and sibling rivalry I managed to inherit my mother's
Wedgwood china (I think my argument that my mom gave my sister the Saab was
pretty much the end of the debate). I've had this china since May and Friday
night was the first time I'd really gotten to use it.

I had a complete set of Wedgwood before, but my ex got that in the Great
Division of Property (I also lost my KA food processor, but I got the buffet
crammed full of serving dishes).

After the night of the first real use, David accidentally drops a bread plate
and shatters it. I'm not mad, i know it was an accident, but that damned
thing, that small 6 inch plate, costs $23 plus shipping.

Dammit.

Right. The bum. Accidents happen,
But, frankly, that seems reasonably priced to me.
--

My philosophy: If you have something you don't want to risk being
broken by guests, and don't want t have to hover over it worrying about
it while entertaining -- then don't use it! Pu [censored] on display behind
locked glass doors. Leave it in sight to impress people, but not
worry. But then, I think it's crass to have displays just to
"impress," so I don't do that. I think entertaining is a time to
relax, even if it is slightly formal. I don't buy anything I would
worry about breaking.

I once loaned some crystal wine glasses to a friend for an event. They
were returned packed badly in a box with two broken. I didn't say a
word. Would never. However, I won't loan him anything again.

Then considering your opening premise you're being hipocritical.
Anyway, wine glasses are cheap, a box of eight everyday
stemware/barware costs like $10-$15... if a neighbor came to me and
asked to borrow stemware (it's probably last minute and the stores are
closed) I'd gift them a box of Luminarc, I have plenty extra. Normal
people neither borrow or lend expensive crystal... which is why I don't
believe your story.

Normal people who entertain own tableware of various caliber cost...
it's perfectly normal to choose which service to use by occasion and
for which guests. Normal people don't use their best service for all
occasions/all guests, not unless your best service is melmac. I don't
use anywhere near my best service for sandwiches, potato salad, and jug
wine. And yes, I have sets of crystal I keep displayed behind glass,
and under lock and key, but on occasion it does get used, typically for
small intimate gatherings consisting of civilized folk who also have
similar priorities and so appreciate and respect others valuable
property... like when my brother visits we'll sip $200 brandy, he can
choose whichever glassware he likes, usually the ones he gifted me that
he purchased from Tiffany that cost $50 per, or those that belonged to
our parents, which are priceless. Do you really think I should feel
obligated to lend a set of valuable crystal stemware, r u nutz.

Learn: http://www.luminarc.us/info/aboutUs.php

Sheldon said:

Then considering your opening premise you're being hipocritical.
Anyway, wine glasses are cheap, a box of eight everyday
stemware/barware costs like $10-$15... if a neighbor came to me and
asked to borrow stemware (it's probably last minute and the stores are
closed) I'd gift them a box of Luminarc, I have plenty extra. Normal
people neither borrow or lend expensive crystal... which is why I don't
believe your story.

Holy [censored]. I agree with Sheldon. Wine glasses have a short live expectancy in this
house. I look for sets of nice glasses in stores where they have a running supply of
them and stock up. Occasionally I buy several sets of them on sale, take one out and
put the rest away for replacements. If/when I break a few, I have immediate
replacements.

Around here, wine stores have glasses for rent for people having large parties. In some
of them, they loan you the glasses for free if you buy a certain amount of wine from
them.... enough to need a lot of extra glasses. You don't even have to wash them. Just
put them back in the case and take them back.

I broke a nice crystal glass as a party a few years ago. I don't think it was my fault.
I had to go to a party for my wife's church choir. I can't stand the hostess. She is a
royal [censored]. She is a self righteous snob who I have almost collided with on the road a
few times when she pulled out in front of me. She is the reason some people have quit
the choir. I got coerced into going to this party, but I arrived late because I had
had a riding lesson. Her husband gave me a nice crystal wine glass. I opened my wine,
poured myself a glass of wine. I set it down on the "bar" which turned out to be two
card tables of slightly different heights with a cloth over it. I didn't realize that
it was uneven. I set it down on the edge of the two tables, not realizing the surface
was crooked. My bottle tipped over and caused a domino reaction. It fell over, hit
another bottle, which then hit a third bottle, which in turn fell it hit the edge of
the glass and broke it.

Naturally I was upset about having broken a nice crystal glass and apologized to the
host and offered to replace it. Then his wife gave over and started berating him for
having me let me use the good crystal. It was her mother's and cannot be replaced.

Well damn it. If you are going to [censored] and whine about glasses being broken, don't put
them out. If you are going to put up a bar, make sure the surface is flat. If there is
an uneven surface, don't put an protective mat on top to disguise it and then another
cloth on top of that. It is an accident looking for a place to hide it.

Dee Randall said:

"serene" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

P.Aitken said:

It sounds like this china is nothing but a source of worry for you. Why
bother - to impress people? It is meant to be used, and therefore will
get broken. Enjoy it and accept the inevitable breakage - or put it on
display where it is safe.

My thought exactly.

I used my Noritake (white-on-white, trimmed in 24K gold) as an
everyday plate, because (a) things break, and that's part of their
beauty, and (b) I'm worth my finest china.

serene

I believe this is the classic Noritake one sees and is quite elegant.

It was Guenevere (we sold it when we moved), and a picture is here:
http://www.replacements.com/webquote/N__GUEN.htm (ours had 24K gold
trim).

Quoted message said:

Does
it ever go in the dishwasher -- that is, if one is at your home?

I don't have a dishwasher, but even when I did, I didn't use it. I
prefer to handwash my dishes.

Quoted message said:

Yes, you are indeed worth the very finest of china; that's a given.

Thanks so much.

serene

serene said:

I don't have a dishwasher, but even when I did, I didn't use it. I
prefer to handwash my dishes.

Me too. I don't find a dishwasher to be a time and labour saver. I find it
tedious to scrape off plates and bend over to put them in the dishwasher.
There are only two of us now and we have 8 place settings of dinnerware and
flatware, so we can go several days without having to start the machine. Then
it is a major chore to empty the machine. While we have enough dishes, we run
out of pots and pans. I have to do them by hand so we will have them ready for
the next meal. I find it just as easy to do a few plates and the flatware
along with the pots. It only takes a few minutes. I just leave them in the
rack to air dry and then spend a few minutes later on to put them away. I find
it so much easier than dealing with the dishwasher.

Sheldon said:

Then considering your opening premise you're being hipocritical.
Anyway, wine glasses are cheap, a box of eight everyday
stemware/barware costs like $10-$15... if a neighbor came to me and
asked to borrow stemware (it's probably last minute and the stores are
closed) I'd gift them a box of Luminarc, I have plenty extra. Normal
people neither borrow or lend expensive crystal... which is why I don't
believe your story.

Normal people who entertain own tableware of various caliber cost...
it's perfectly normal to choose which service to use by occasion and
for which guests. Normal people don't use their best service for all
occasions/all guests, not unless your best service is melmac. I don't
use anywhere near my best service for sandwiches, potato salad, and jug
wine. And yes, I have sets of crystal I keep displayed behind glass,
and under lock and key, but on occasion it does get used, typically for
small intimate gatherings consisting of civilized folk who also have
similar priorities and so appreciate and respect others valuable
property... like when my brother visits we'll sip $200 brandy, he can
choose whichever glassware he likes, usually the ones he gifted me that
he purchased from Tiffany that cost $50 per, or those that belonged to
our parents, which are priceless. Do you really think I should feel
obligated to lend a set of valuable crystal stemware, r u nutz.

Learn: http://www.luminarc.us/info/aboutUs.php

I have a propensity to break stemware and so I stopped battling it. It's
cheap, but I buy mine at IKEA. It's cheap so I don't mind if it breaks (which
it does) and it is extremely plain and simple which is my taste in dishes and
glassware.

The funny thing about the bread plate breaking was that it was the next
morning, the dishes were stacked in the kitched waiting to be washed and David
just accidentally knocked it down. I'm even less upset about it now, it's a
Wedgwood pattern (Amherst) that won't be discontinued any time soon (with
luck), so i'll be able to get the plate easily. I do take care of this china,
it means a great deal to me. I store everything in the special containers
seperated with foam and I keep them stored away in a cabinet until I need
them. My big concern is my mother getting upset that I broke one of her plates
(logically, I know she won't, but you know how things go with mothers)

At one point I had 6 sets of dishes. When I sold the house I brought it down
to 3 just to conserve space.

--
..:Heather:.
www.velvet-c.com
Step off, beyotches, I'm the roflpimp!

<[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

My philosophy: If you have something you don't want to risk being
broken by guests, and don't want t have to hover over it worrying about
it while entertaining -- then don't use it!

I agree with that ...

Quoted message said:

Put it on display behind
locked glass doors. Leave it in sight to impress people, but not
worry. But then, I think it's crass to have displays just to
"impress," so I don't do that.

.... but I disagree here ... if it's something I feel strongly about,
sentimental
value, whatever, I would rather not use them with kids around or
whatever. I don't own a damn thing to impress anyone, but I have
had things that would upset me if they were broken.

Quoted message said:

I once loaned some crystal wine glasses to a friend for an event. They
were returned packed badly in a box with two broken. I didn't say a
word. Would never. However, I won't loan him anything again.

Once you loaned it, you had to really accept that it was out of your
hands, so to speak. Usually no one will be as careful with your
stuff as you are. Doesn't mean I wouldn't have been [censored].
As Sheldon and someone else said, they can just go buy halfway
decent stuff or rent it, then no one has any worries.

I don't see anything wrong with keeping special stuff for special
occasions. Or with having a matched set of dishes, for that matter.
Doesn't mean your every day stuff is schlock, just that it is sturdier.
What's wrong with that.

nancy