Some1s_Sista

Time capsule treasures.

Yesterday, the hubs found these plates in what we call our “pump house” (it’s placed over the old cistern and pump in our backyard so no children will fall through). It was actually the “dairy crib” where the original builders of our house kept their milk, cheese and other commodities cool until they were used or sold (they also owned a general store).  Anyways we’re turning it into a lil guest house, so he was in there taking nails out of the beams etc. cleaning up when he noticed the edge of one of these plates sticking out from a rafter. When he got up there he found two, but they were covered in mud, dust, and Dirt Diver nests. He cleaned them up and brought them over to my office once he realized it was china. Old china.

I don’t know a lot about porcelain and china but I know a little. Enough to check out the makers mark on the back. There was no country of origin listed so I knew they had to pre-date the 1890s when that was 1st required. So I told him I would do some investigating when I got home.

Last night I popped on the web and started my treasure hunt. I assumed (wrongly!) that the Rd in the date stamp (the diamond shaped mark) meant Royal Doulton. So that’s where I started. I was figuring the initials in the wreath were the artists initials. Wrong again. But an article on Royal Doulton mentioned that they bought out a company call Pinder Bourne and Co. And I was all “Holy Shit! That’s what those initials mean!” So when looking up that company I was lead to the National Archives in England and they had a picture of the very same plates. And an explanation of the time stamp.  (Also, the Rd marking means “Registered Design” so it was a total fluke that my mistake led me to the correct info anyway!)

Turns out these plates date back to April 6 of 1868 and were made by Pinder Bourne & Co of Burslem, Staffordshire, England and “Beauvais” is actually the pattern name.

I don’t think they are really worth anything great, but it’s history that belongs to the original owners of our house (built in 1877) and I am amazed they lasted 130+ years in the top of that old pump house, especially given the fact we dragged it across the property to it’s current resting position two summers ago and they never fell! 

Our joint discoveries made for a fun Friday sleuthing project!