Vintage tea spoons by W A P Watson or Exquisite collecting

In the late 1970s, I started collecting souvenir tea spoons. At that time, my American pen friend was visiting and we were touring all the places that you visit when on holiday in the UK. She was collecting thimbles of each place we visited and so I decided on collecting tea spoons. Ironic that the spoons were made just up the road from where I was living in Solihull. But it kept me busy. Afterwards, I started buying spoons from all places we visited, car boots and when I travelled abroad. I continued to collect. In the 1990s, we moved and I took down all my collection that were in spoon racks and packed them away. My intention was to display them in our next house, but they languished in the loft. I was a member of the Spoon Collectors club for many years, but with children and a career found my interest dwindled. I did collect the odd spoon and added them to the bags and boxes inn the loft over the last 30 years or so, but they never did see the light of day or get showcased as before. Recently we cleared the loft and I decided to sell most of my collection, only keeping a few choice ones to display in shadow boxes. 

These are just a few that I have listed on eBay recently. Many are by W A P Watson/Exquisite but other's are by other companies

Vintage tea spoon Falkland War 1982 by WAP Watson

Pope John Paul's visit to the UK in 1982 souvenir tea spoon by WAP Watson.

Souvenir tea spoon Margaret Thatcher 1987 by Milli Rich, First edition

Stuart souvenir spoon of William Shakespeare in original box.

Historical tea spoon Mary Queen of Scots seal top by Westair of Birmingham.

Exquisite souvenir tea spoons

There were many different spoons produced by this company. Of places, events, and commemorative. Most were silver plated, had he WAP stamp on the back and were in a box that said Exquisite. They also produced other collectables such as thimbles, letter openers, bells and they also sold sterling silver souvenir spoons.  

Just writing this blog makes me regret selling them But with so many other items I collect and display. I just do not have the room to keep all.  

Mirella by WAP Watson

I have written several articles on Exquisite jewellery by WAP Watson and soon will publish further information
But the company also produced the Myths and Magic range as well as the lesser know range of mirrors and trinkets called Mirella.
The Mirella range was named after an employer of the company. I have only been looking for Mirella items in the last couple of months, but both the pieces I found are marked, so easy to identify.

 

  

Interesting small trinket box in a gold metal and red velvet style pin cushion material. Topped with a poodle holding a faux pearl.

In very good condition and has the Mirella signature on the bottom

The other item is a hand held mirror

The mirror is decorated with faux pearl beads and a faux turquoise stone. Also in a heavy gold metal and in good condition with slight rubbing to the gold plate.

The mirror is signed "Made in England" on the top of the handle on one side.

And the Mirella signature on the other side of the handle.

This design was popular as I have had a lady previously contact me regarding Mirella pieces and this was the one she had. At the time I estimated this as being produced in the late seventies. But at present I am not sure how long this range was manufactured for?

WAP Watson also produced a range of souvenir spoons and associated items. Now I am a closeted spoon collector as well but don't tell anyone. Unfortunately I now collect so many things this house is bulging!

The spoon collecting started in the seventies when my pen friend Nancy came over from the US. We went to all the tourist places and she collected souvenir thimbles, so I started to buy a few spoons and got hooked. 

Now I just buy the occasional one or two that are special. This collection now runs into hundreds, but I have not counted for a long time. So now is the time to dig the Exquisite one's out and get photographing as some are quite old.

Been a bit slow adding more items to Jewels and Finery but here are a few...

 

Vintage faux jade bracelet Seventies

That's all for this Saturday morning. Take care