Summer 2021....

 I am sure we are all hoping that the summer of 2021 will get back to a more normal way of life.  I don't know about anyone else but I more than ready for an antique show and sale or a good old live auction with real people in the room.

In Saskatchewan we are hoping to start getting to live shows very soon!

I will share a couple new pieces we have added to the collection in the last few months.  It has been a while since I posted a new blog but our Facebook group has been quite active with sharing information and photos so there is often something new there every couple of days.

Information copied from the Bruce Douglas book of Medalta Lamps.

Lamp #43 is 8 1/8" tall. . The in-mould marks for these lamps are unusual, see

page 14. Lamp #43 is one of the miniatures, and it is valued because of this. Its

mark is M.17.a, and value is about $110 to $140 in spite of its small size. A pink

lamp #43 is found in the Eaton’s Catalogues of the thirties, and these, if found, may well

be unmarked.

This small lamp is #48. It was introduced in 1936 and produced until 1941. It

is included here as it incorporates a sphere in its design. The lamp is 197 mm (7

3/4") in height, but it is listed as being 7 1/4" high. The lamp shown is in a two

color glaze, dark yellow spots on medium brown.  Uncommon, it has a count of 8. 

Below are the two main variations of lamp #49. On the

top photos of this pair is the lamp that was introduced in 1936,

while the records indicate that the handled variation (lamp

#49h) was produced in 1940 and possibly in 1939. The original

non handled version was again produced in 1941. Versions of lamp #49h exist where

the handles appear to have been applied by hand. The handles on these lamps are

placed higher, and not always at the

same height.  The height of #49 is 198 mm

(7 13/16") and of #49h 195 mm (7 5/8"). Lamp #49 is uncommon, with a count of 7,

while the handled version is rare with a count of 3. 

Lamp #37 is the miniature version of lamp #39, the lamp shaped like the Egypto vase. Its

height is 6 5/8", and this example has a Satina cream glaze. This diminutive lamp was

introduced in 1935 and produced until 1940. Both the lamp and its glaze, a matt cream

glaze, are not commonly seen. The listed height for this lamp is 7 1/4", significantly taller

than this example. Very rare, its mark is M.18 and its count is 2.

This small lamp is based on the shape of the Egypto vase like the one below.

Here are a couple other new pieces we have added very recently......more to come later!

 

And the Search Continues...........

Medalta Lamps

Lamps were never on our radar for collecting but over the course of time we have added a few to the collection.  We enjoy the challenge of finding them and we are learning to identify them much better.  Like all other Medalta pieces the glazes are similar, the clay feels the same and many pieces are not marked.  We have not rewired any of them so we don't use any of the lamps.

The height of this lamp is 5.25". Lamps with the “Owl” decoration are highly prized by the collectors who own them. Because of its rarity (the 5½" lamp was produced only in 1932), and marks, it is a prized part of any collection with either the hand painted Silhouette or Fuzzy Owl decoration.

 

Lamp #9 is the earliest of the numbered Medalta lamps, who’s shape started as the hand made 4 ½" lamp. It was introduced in 1932, and was produced until 1937. Its height is 4 1/4" (109 mm), and it is a named lamp, the “Globe” lamp.  Most of these do not have an in-mould mark, and many are unmarked.

 Lamp #11 is the Beehive lamp. This lamp has not been seen with an embossed mark, but has been seen with the silver Medalta paper sticker, P.2. It also occurs in a number of classical Medalta glazes, including the multicolor spotted glaze. It is 5 5/8" (144 mm) high.  This lamp was introduced in 1933 and continued in production until 1937.

Lamp #43 is 8 1/8" tall. The in-mould marks for these lamps are unusual.  Lamp #43 is one of the miniatures, and it is valued because of this. Its mark is M.17.a. A pink lamp #43 is found in the Eaton’s Catalogues of the thirties, and these, if found, may well be unmarked.

 

Lamp #506 is referred to as the miniature of the post-war series of lamps. It would be a miniature of lamp #502.  An almost identical lamp made in the USA has frequently been assumed to be this lamp. The height of the lamp is 7 7/8.  Introduced likely in 1947, this lamp shape was produced briefly in that oxide marked pieces usually have mark G.38.a, indicating production in the early post-war period.

 

Lamp #53 was introduced in 1938. The height of the lamp is 190 mm (7/16").  It has also been seen with mark G.14.b.

 Lamp #428b the height 10.3 inches.  Production was in 1940 and 1941, and possibly in 1945 and 1946 for the early lamp.  This lamp is in the olive or khaki eggshell finish.

 Lamps #430a in a yellow lacquer finish.  The height of the lamps is 11 ½ inches. for both lamps.  The appearance of a painted early lamp suggests that production of #430a continued through the war. The early lamp is marked with mark M.18.

Lamp #24 is 8" tall and could have been included with the large lamps. Lamp #26, which has a height of 5 3/4" has the same basic shape. The records list this lamp as being 7 ½" high but this lamp is generally about 8" in height. This shape was introduced in 1934, and was produced until 1941. This is the longest known production of any Medalta lamp. This lamp is found with two different impressed mould marks, usually mark M.16, but occasionally mark M.18.

 

Lamp #34 is shown in yellow. The records indicate that, in spite of its small size, this was an expensive lamp for Medalta. It is the miniature of lamp #31. It was in production from 1935 to 1940. The lamp measures 6.5" tall. The mark on this lamp is M.18.

This is a small hand made lamp, several patterns exist.  They are hand painted, and their height is 6 5/8". The lamp has a closed base design.  The marks are G.9 (partial) and G.16.a. This is the Small Square Shouldered lamp of the Medalta records, produced in 1931 only.

And the Search Continues........

 

Summer of No Travel...

                                         

I think all of us have experienced a very different spring and early summer than we have experienced in our lifetime.  Vacation plans are cancelled, people are told not to gather in large groups, stay home, wash your hands and possibly even wear a mask.  I picked a great time to be off work for a few months and have gone back to work just in time to be told we must wear a mask the entire work day.  

We have had the pleasure of visiting the Medalta Museum in Medicine Hat several times and today's blog is compilation some photos of the visits.  On one of the visits we had a guided tour and recorded some of the conversation and stories, we look forward to doing it again soon.

I think most collectors have a mentor or someone they look to for some guidance and answers to questions when they are unable to find an answer anywhere else.  I like to think that over the years of collecting that these people have gone on to be our friends and we get together and share stories and laughter.

We have discovered things like virtual antiques shows and found hundreds of online auctions with new ones showing up every day.  I am sure the world of actually attending a live auction will be a thing of the past and everything will become electronic.  

We have used Facetime to stay in contact with family and the telephone is used for voice calls now more often that before.

The blog photos today are taken in Medicine Hat at the museum.  I am also including a link to a Facebook group that is having virtual antiques shows every couple of weeks and has been quite successful.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/942676159137439/

And the link to the Medalta Museum in Medicine Hat, be sure to check out the online data base of the collection they on the page.  https://medalta.org/visit/museum/    https://medalta.pastperfectonline.com/   

We are looking forward to the world returning some semblance of normal but until then we will scour the virtual world looking for new pieces to add to our collections.  

Until next time......The Search Continues...

Kitchen Things

I cannot imagine a world without Tupperware type dishes for food storage but in my grandparents time there was no such thing.  There were of course, pottery pieces that served the same purpose.  We have all seen the Pyrex fridge dishes and Medalta and Medicine Hat Potteries each made something to serve the same purpose.  Some of them I think are too pretty to actually use to store food stuff in but I am sure that is what they were used for many years go.  Earthenware itself would stay cool so it made sense that they made pieces to store food.  I remember my Grossmama having crocks of things in the cellar, some of which at the time I found to be very disgusting!  I can remember going to get a jar of pickles and peaking in some of the crocks which she used to preserve Hams, sausage and sauerkraut and other things.  There was always a crock full of drinking water from the well  with a "dipper" hanging on the side and I remember the coolness of the water from the crock even though there was no fridge to cool it.  Now we collect all these pieces and treat them like a prize and put them on a shelf to admire.

The photos today are Medalta and Medicine Hat Potteries (the blue fridge dishes).  All pieces are part of our collection.

Like most of you I am sure, we are ready to get out and start looking for some pieces of whatever it is that we collect.  In our province everything is starting to open slowly and in time we will all be back to a normal pace and able to explore again.  We did find a unique concept for a virtual Antique Show and it was delightful.  There were many amazing pieces for sale and we actually picked up a small jug to add to our collection. The next Virtual show is the first weekend in June and will have 30 vendors each posting 15 items for show and sale.  It has kept us entertained and allowed for many people to add to their collections without leaving their house.

Stay safe and healthy!

And the Search Continues....

Ogilvie's Royal Household Flour Advertising

This blog is an article written by Mr. Ron Getty, who has been very generous in sharing his vast knowledge of Medalta pottery with many collectors.  I am honored to call him a friend and he has always made time to answer questions and share any information he has about the Alberta Potteries.

                                                                                                    

And the Search Continues.....