New-York tribune., 1903-02-08
CHINA COLLECTION
hrs. Maddoch;'s Interesting GIFT to
the Cty of Trenton.

The fine collection OF old English CHINA WhIch tHe
late Mrs. Alice Maddox, OF Manhattan, presented
10 the city OF Trenton, y j., shortly before her
death is about 10 be transferred TO its permanent
quarters in that city. where it is to form the hu-
eleus of a ceramic museum. The collection consists
OF more than thousand pieces, many OF them
rare Six hundred English, dating from the be-
ginning of the last century, and are specimens OF
the rich blue prints of the then prominent star
fcrdshire manufacturers. The collection was well
known in that pottery district of England. and it
the desire Of the collectors in that Vic'n'E 10
obtain possession of it. The late owner also re-
cefved many fattering offers from collectors ana
antique dealers in this country. but it was her oe-
sire to keep the collection intact, and 10 place II
where it would prove beneficial to industrial work
ers in pottery. this reason the city Of Trenton
falls heir it,
The collection has for many years occupied
prominent and honored place in the living rooms OF
its late owner No. IS Lafayette Place. The
walls are covered with plates and patters from
floor TO ceiling Quaint old pitchers and jugs are
suspended from the edges of the shelves, "hlie
corner cabinets shield behind glass doors choice
bits that are valuable TO be exposed TO the
danger OF the housemaids dust brush.
Mrs. Maddox a lover and gatherer OF oio
china all her life said Mrs. Ingram. who mas the
collection in charge at present and until i's re-
moval and is the niece and heir or the late OWNER
of it. although she never a reckless pur-
chaser such many china lovers become She was
IN touch with all the collectors. and by a system
of exchange duplicates the amount grew steaoiE'
for 1t represents the work Of lifetime MIS- MAJ
dock travelled almost constantly during tne ldteI
wears of her life. and was such conhoisseur 'i"'
she knew directly she saw piece OF emma 'ne
approximate value of it.
THE city of Trenton has expressed sratelul sen
timents for the bequest. or the gift, Tor II was
formally presented before Mrs. Maddochs deatn'
and only recently sent w Percival JerNis ot fhl0-
de1nhia TO appraise 1t. He pronounced IL worth
So 800 and this not an inhateo price ou' "
cording to what dealer would be VIKING ~ give
for 1t. ,,. IL,
In speak king of it Mr.. Jervis said: This eollec-
.ior IL nroperIy housed and arranged, would be
valuable nucleus to a ceramic museum. '"iiA
the city of Trenton may be congratulated Oh .le
chance of acquiring such fine collection Whioii
7 am sure any of the pottery towns or Stdiioio
cbfra would eagerly welcome. Among the scattered
articles In the collection which attracted my az
tention is a covered basket of Belieek ware ia'o
entirely OF fine basket work, remarKapie ior inc
perfection of its workmanship; small cup Oh
black basaltes from Pompeii: cup with portrait
of Calvin in medallion of Gotha china, lSo jug
with fine border in silver iustre oateu lolV,
two TASKS of stoneware, one representing 1-i
Brougham and the other Queen Alexandria VIC
toria and made bv Bourne, of Derbyshr a soup
tureen of salt glaze earthenware, probably OF
Leeds manufacture; specimens of tortoise smell
ware; pieces of black basaltes, 1890. and NedgWood
Jasper including a copy of the Portland vase; re-
production of a Pallssy dish. and some hne speel-
mems of lustre in both coors and silver These are
al worthy of mention in a collection, as we'll as the
many historic plates with which the walls are
lined
This anti-savery plate-is considered among col
Iectors TO be very interesting" said Mrs ingram
taking from its position the wall a l1ght blue
dinner plate with slightly scalloped edge ana q
scroll border dotted with stars In the ooruer are
four American eagles and shields and Iour nleuai-
lions one containing ngure OF Liberty staid,hs
beside printing press while negro kneeis at ner
feet Around the design the words. The
other medallons inscribed with appropriate
sentiments bearing upon the constitution OF me
United States. This design was the gilt or the
English Anti-Savery Society to the American
Ab0litonists in 1887. The plates were sold al auc-
ton in New-York and the proceeds deyoted 10 tne
cause While the plates not an antique. II Is very
..o.o.
by a plate dated 1928. This is of dark blue, with
cars like stage coaches with stumpT little loco
motive designed by Peter Cooper It was OF tnls
engine pictured the plate. that Peter cooper
wrote: when | had completed the engine ! IN
yited he directors 20 witness experiment some
thirty-six persons entered the passenger coaches;
while four rode the locomotive. which carried
its own fuel and water and made the 1rst TRIP OF
thirteen miles in hour and twelve minutes
Among the other interesting HISTORICAL plates IN
the collection is showing the old Park Iheaue
in 1897: a view of the Battery and surroundings IN
great inventor spent much of his ll1e rms
plate is rare and is the only one NeW-Jersey mas
TO represent her in the collection. The war or
1872 is represented by plate contemplating Com
modore MacDonough's victory, ana then the
Lafayette Plate familiar to all collectors