First Post

It was only a couple of short years ago that I discovered the addictive joys of shopping for vintage tabletop / decor items on ebay and in thrift stores, flea markets, antique shops/malls, and (especially!) estate sales. I immediately became enthralled with the beauty and quality of items created in the 1930s, '40s, and '50s to be used with pride for formal entertaining.

Adding to the excitement is the fact that today, when most people are horrified at the idea of owning anything that has to be polished or can't be casually tossed into a dishwasher, these elegant heirlooms can often be picked up for a fraction of their true value.

In the near future, I'll be posting more pictures and descriptions of some of my favorite finds.
For today, here's a cup and saucer by Theodore Haviland in the "Gotham" pattern, manufactured from 1945-1958. I started my Gotham collection with a great coffee pot I found on ebay from a charity thrift shop in South Florida. I purchased it for around $20 plus shipping. I had bid more than that before I left home the morning the auction closed, but there was only one other bidder (and as you ebayers know, ebay automatically places bids for you in increments up to the maximum bid you've set).

I've since picked up 8 cups and saucers and a couple of dinner plates in the same pattern. I purchased the additional pieces from a delightful young mother-to-be in Texas. She had listed pieces from two sets of gold-rimmed cream-colored china. The mother of an ex-boyfriend had given them to her, probably assuming there was to be a marriage in the near future. Since the accepted proposal came from a different young man, the seller decided she could part with the dishes (even though she found them to be very pretty and "so Gotham-y").

Until I find more pieces, I can use clear glass plates (vintage and elegant of course!) with the Haviland coffee pot & cups when I serve guests a sinfully rich dessert with after-dinner coffee in the sitting room. Stay tuned!