Page 40 - BBR magazine 140 - 30yrs issue

Stoneware Round Up
Alan Blakeman presents a special stoneware preview this time...
When Dennis Northmore passed away everyone saw one of the most amazing spreads of early (much of it mineral related) material.
BUT, there were important pieces “missing” and rumours bandied “AB had somehow...!”
I was not able to say anything at the time, sort of duty bound. But here’s a breathe of fresh air...
Out of the blue (end of April/ early May) I got an unexpected telephone call from Jane Northmore, widow of the late Dennis Northmore. “Hi Alan..,.” she said... and we exchanged a few pleasantries, then the bombshell “... you know all those items which folk rumoured were ‘not there’ when you sold Dennis’s stuff? Are you sat down? Well, I’ve found them.”
All those years back Jane was herself quite unsure just what had happened to a bevy of material everyone knew Dennis had, yet his extraordinarily comprehensive records about what he purchased and sold, made no mention of the missing items.
It was, to everyone, a full on mystery.
Sadly, rumours were rife. Many pointed fingers of blame (openly and behind my back by one vindictive collector in particular) that I had somehow secreted away the “best of the best”.
Well, we can reveal the truth - Dennis HID THEM in his home, worried someone might break in and run off with his absolute ‘pride and joy’?
As Jane and I chatted over a coffee my eyes wandered
over the table full of goodies: SIXTEEN different salt
glazed hamiltons (‘Stockers Gingerade’ - this July,
‘Ginger Beer’ - 5 lines to reverses, & a ‘G M Hopkins),
the ubiquitous ‘holy grail’ slab seal from Gainsboro, an
astonishing range of shapes and sizes (the smallest
being the 2.3ins tall ‘A Howarth’ ointment pot), a range
of early aqua hamilton types, a wonderful range of early shiny black glazed earthenware country pottery (see the cabinet display outside BBR’s office in July - near the top).
Dennis had a keen and precise eye in everything he acquired, astutely and carefully selecting pieces for visual as well as historic relevance. Years later we
Above: This is the sight that confronted me as I walked into Janes’ Kitchen - a table spread par excellence - all found, secreted away by Dennis, during building work.
AB asks “have you written a will?”
Above:
Considered by many the ‘holy grail’ of
“slabbers” (coined by ‘slabbers king’
himself Ian Whittaker), the best of the best!
Front (inset) bares a slab impressed ‘F.
Pettinger/ Gainsboro, the other side carries a remarkable cut-out of a windmill set atop a wooden platform, with set of steps rising up on the left. STILL the only example known - wow!
perhaps appreciate more fully his selection process/ wisdom. Perhaps the most worrying aspect of this tale - what if Jane had sold the house not knowing all these important ‘gems’ were lurking somewhere in the fabric?
There is also perhaps a moral to this tale (fortunately with a twist, but happy outcome). We ALL need to make a list, or ensure our
descendants have an inkling of what we have, and maybe even consider/ suggest HOW to dispose of what we spend decades putting together! Have you written a will for
example?
Left: As Jane and I talked recently in her home I espied this most unusual Oldfield
greyhound handled mug. Very simple in structure, but really beautifully potted. Never
seen another.
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