Regarding the earlier flower pattern china with the "crown" back stamp and Fine Bone China Made in England words stamped on the back, I spoke with my mother and she said that after she visited the Tea Pot Museum in Norwich, UK, she and my father and their friend, Neville, went into a small shop next door to the museum and purchased this tea set from the section in the basement. So that tells me that it is not a Chinese or Japanese knock-off; however, she said that she thought that the china may have been seconds since the set didn't cost that much. Would that assist someone in locating the place in Norwich that sells this pattern? My mother's china cabinet fell and crushed the tea pot, two of the cups and two of the saucers. I would like very much to replace these since the set has such sentiment for her. Many thanks for anyone who can help!

I have so enjoyed reading all of this, even though, I, as usual, didn't notice it was old. I am old now too! I have never had or wanted that super expensive China, sterling, etc. Not my type. But years ago I fell in love with Depression Glass and antique furniture. My spare time was mostly spent at local public auctions. Most all the furniture in our home was bought at those auctions. When I moved to the Independent Retirement Community, years after my DH's death, I had to have an auction. Now I'm still using many of those auction pieces that I bought, after giving my DD her grandmother's bed, and 2 large pieces that my DGD wanted and I no longer had room for. *Note to nanny 98* Me, too. I have my will written so that each of my 3 grands will receive a same amount, but each the same percentage, of cash $$, that is left at that point. My DD and I have decided that what ever is still in the house will be picked up by a certain old reliable local estate sale, auction business. They will come, pick up, and even wrap the "dust catchers," glass ware, and other small things, and my kids won't have to worry about that; plus, I won't have to watch those things being carried away from here. That amount will be added to the other above mentioned cash, and divided between my two children. My burial expenses are pre-paid. I've said all that to say this: DON'T PUT OFF WRITING YOUR WILL!!

I have decided to get the royal Albert lady Carlyle mainly because the tea cup is so cute and a lot more feminine looking than the noritake one plus the pattern is so beautiful! I had my eyes on this pattern for a while now and i thought it was discontinued but to my surprise it was still sold on the royal Albert website for even cheaper than ebay!! thank you for all your help! I can't wait to have tea parties with my girlfriends:))

The china we use for everyday use is Finlandia by Churchill. My grandparents turned their old Victorian farmhouse into a small inn during the depression, and took in guests. My grandmother cooked for their boarders, and accrued a large collection of china. When she died, there were vintage collections of brown and white transferware, several sets of Syracuse china, and some lovely glass dishes. I inherited some of these pieces, and my sister has the rest. My favorite is a service for 10 that I use for special occasions, holidays and large family gatherings. That is the Old Ivory "The Hostess" china made by Syracuse in the 1930's. It brings back many fond family memories and I love the colorful vintage pattern. During the winter months when we eat a lot of hearty stews, soups and spaghetti, I prefer to use my antique flow blue pottery, because they have such deep wide bowls and soup plates. Then I'll use either the Burgess & Leigh, NonPareil soup plates, which date back to the mid 1800's, or my Waldorf by New Wharf pottery bowls. I have enough dinner plates and bowls for each pattern to serve 8. This is the Burgess & Leigh Flow Blue, the Waldorf pattern is shown in earlier posts.