The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-04
RARE OLD CHINA WARE.
Historical Plates and Valuable Vases Collected
by Enpertp In tho Hudson valley.

P~oUGHKEEPsIE, Oct. 3.-The Hudson River
Valley Is a rich field for the china hunter. A
number of valuable finds have been made lately
in Duchess and Ulster counties, including some
good specimens Of Staffordshire ware, which
was 30 plentiful during the Revolution, but
since then, and especially during the past TWEEN
ty years, has become rare. One of the most
successful local collectors Is Mrs. John w.
Dale of this city. who has been fortunate in
obtaining a number of historical plates in good
condition and of undoubted authenticity, as
we'll as several choice ~platters showing views
of the Hudson River Valley and other Ameri-
can scenes. Some of the finest piatters pos
sessed by Mrs. Dale are these:
Capitol at Washington-Dark blue, with
Wow of the Capitol; man and woman on horse
back in the foreground; medallion border. Also
platters of the same general design showing
views of Forts Hamilton and Lafayette, view
from Fort Putnam back Of Vest Point, and
view of Undercliff, Cold Spring.
In historical plates of Staffordshire ware Mrs.
Dale has succeeded in obtaining interesting
examples, some of which are as follows: Old
Brett House at Ffshkill, Park Theatre, New
York; New York City Hotel; view of Newburg,
Hudson River; states plate. steamboat. plate,
George Washington Eagle plate. Lafayette
The plates showing the New York City Hotel
and the Park Theatre, New York., are in splen-
did condition and have attracted much nouce
from collectors. The hotel plate is printed in
dark blue, with a view looking down broadway
and showing Trinity Church. In the fore
ground. in the middle Of Broadway. in front Of
a hotel. a man il awning wood on an old fash
Toned sawbuck, The plate has a clear oak leaf
The Park Theatre view includes the lower end
Of City Hall Park, with its ancient brick posts
where now stands the Post Office: In the dis
lance is seen the spirc OF the Old Brick Church,
clear oak leaf and acorn border and scroll and
mcnto of the New York stage. In addition to
the. above mentioned plates Mrs. Dale has a
variety. of historical Staffordshire in different
tints of blue, all comparatively rare.
Some other finds made by Mrs. Dale in Hud.
son River towns and villages are a pair Of
edgewood vases made when the name was
roughly written on with ink; Castle1ord pot
tery--a cider pitcher owned by J. w. Dalc,s
fniI set OF Worcester china. made before the
adoption by royalty of the Worcester ware
couple sets of line old copper lustrc ware; five
Duke of Works monogram on them. and known
to have belonged to mis- private collection the
Metropolitan Museum, New York.; collection
Of old Delft ware. made before l6O0; several
old vase e sio Of ths PRODUCTION of Brown West
A fine reproduction Of the Martha Washing.
ton plate was discovered by Mrs. Dale and Is
much admired. The only original plate of this
description in a private collection is owned by
u. man in ,Danbury. who values, it at 81. 200.
tie got 1t by accident in Virginia.
The most valuable find made by any china
collector in this city is credited to Mr.. vii.
liam II. harrington, an expert, residing here.
Mr.. Harrington was an agent for eighteen years
for large importing firms and made his head.
quarters in Paris. A number of years ago there
came into his possession, and he has since re-
tanned it, n Medgewood copy OF the great Port.
land vase. This vase, beyond any question, is
one OF the original fifty copies made by Josiah
1 Wedgewood over a century ago, and it Is va
riously cstimntcd.to be worth from so, 600 10
$4,000. The material OF the vase is OF a dead
black color, and it stands about ten inches
high. The figures appear in the form of bas
reliefs. The vase was exhibited by Mr.. Far
rington during the past week, and has been
viewed by thousands of people.