OUCH!

Tonight, I goofed big time. Flipping through eBay, I noted a figure claiming to be early 19thC Walton. The figure form was familiar, but the WALTON marked was crude and lacked serifs, the base form was wrong, and the interior of the base was smooth, as you find in slipcast reproductions.

I wince as I write this: I emailed the seller to explain the figure was a reproduction.

Made a cup of coffee and sat down to look at the figure again. Slowly the penny dropped. The figure had a restored base! The N in WALTON was formed correctly and I could see pearl glaze puddled in its indentations. The color palette was correct. I love red enamels! Yes, there was other restoration--all noted in the listing that this idiot had not read. OUCH! I quickly wrote an email of apology/explanation to the seller. BTW, the figure does have a restored bocage and I expect the seller will add that to the description.

You can see the figure at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=110410144825#ebayphotohosting

On a more positive note (positive for what's left of my self esteem), I spotted a different variation of the repro of Spring and Langan on the market. The seller wasn't sure what she had, but now she knows and has listed it as such. You can see this at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260439842254&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123

What a rotten end to a week that was spent working on a paper on Walton!