Myrna Schkolne: Early Staffordshire Figures

The geese know when to head north--and so do I. My annual trek to the New York Ceramics Fair in the month of January starts the year on a high note. If only January were warmer...but the weather was tolerable this year and the pottery never fails to enthrall.

The important new face at the fair this year was Philip Carrol, who traveled from Yorkshire (I think) with case loads of varied early wares. Philip has great taste, he sets a high standard, and I hope he will be a regular at the show.

I haven't added Philip to the dealer list because I don't have full contact details. I shall remedy that. Meanwhile, if you need to communicate with him, ask me because I can help.

Prize for most dazzling display had to go to John Howard. His wares cover a broad period, and he sets a very high standard. You could have left me on his stand forever...

As always, Elinor Penna's stand was a firm favorite. Elinor gets the prize for the most figures, and she did justice to both pre-Victorian and Victorian with an amazing array to suite all pockets. Here you could buy a figure for less than the price of a nice hotel room...or you could spend a healthy multiple of that amount. Truly something for everyone.

Simon Westman had a fabulous Pratt watch stand, with the figure of Fire to one side and one of the classical ladies on the other. Superb item. I keep hoping Simon will add more and more figures to his stock...and I am sure in time he will. Problem with figures is that they really are in short supply. There were fewer around this year than in the past. Seems that people are slower to send them to market, fearing that they will not get good prices in this market. To the contrary. Prices for anything good are really strong. And the dealers are all hungry for good stock. I hear this again and again.

James Labaugh Antiques, as always, had super wares but fewer figures than in prior years. Their stand looked wonderful, though.

Although the fair, to all intents and purposes, looked and functioned as always, I spent the days with a very heavy heart. Sampson & Horne were not in their usual spot. Hours before the fair opened on Tuesday, they announced the closure of their business due to Jonathan Horne's ill health. The absence of Jonathan from the ceramics trade is, to me, unimaginable. Jonathan made Staffordshire figure collecting what it is. His meticulous scholarship, his vast knowledge and love of English history, his willingness to mentor and share all that he knew contributed enormously to the ceramics market at all levels. Yes, things will go on unchanged, but for me the ceramics world will never be as bright.