Shelley Ludlow Regency Espresso/Demitasse Cups/Saucers for 8 (16 Pieces)

  

We began collecting Shelley Fine Bone China from England in the late 1970's and over the next 30 years accumulated large, medium, and small sets, as well individual pieces. Far more than we could ever use or display. Consequently, in the late 1990's the lion's share was carefully wrapped and placed in storage. We have decided to sell most of our collection.

In doing so, we have curated approx. There are no chips, hairline cracks, or crazing except where noted, and identified in the pictures, which are part of the description. Please review each of them. Overall, most are in near-mint condition with minimal to no signs of use however, the pieces are not new, they are Used - the Ludlow shape having been manufactured from 1930ish -1966. Although not common, there may be a very tiny/pinhead black spot under the glazing, which may be part of the manufacturing process given the coal fired bottle ovens were used, the last having been dismantled in 1957. Note: The Shelley Group in the UK has stated Paintresses marks - Various dots and squiggles (on the underside) were used to identify the paintress of a particular piece. The marks were used to calculate wages of individual paintresses who were paid on a piece work basis. As documented by the Shelley Group (UK) and the National Shelley China Club (US), the Shelley story began about 1860 and continued production until 1966.

During that period there were 100's of shapes and sizes, and more than 500 patterns. There are also more than 50 different backstamps, some that include the name or number of the pattern, others that include one or the other, still others that include neither. 2 ½ x 2 ½ x 2 ¼. 4 ¾ x 4 ¾.