The Sophisticated Picker

08/11/2026

Layers. 😍

Four pieces. Four patterns. One color.

Can you name them all?

I’ll give you a hint: there’s some serious English transferware history hiding in this stack.

Drop your guesses below. 👇

08/10/2026

A little Thanksgiving in August… 🦃

This beautiful set of four Spode Thanksgiving dinner plates was made in England from 2000–2004 — a short-lived pattern that can be surprisingly hard to find today, especially as a matching set.

The turkey comes from Spode’s much older tradition of Game Birds designs, paired here with that wonderful brown Filigree-style border and colorful floral details. And the colors on these four are just gorgeous.

All four are in beautiful condition with no chips, cracks, crazing or color loss.

Available now in the Etsy shop — link in profile.

08/09/2026

08/09/2026

From My Collection…🏺

Starting something new today.

Every Sunday, I’m going to share something from my own collection — unusual forms, interesting patterns, and pieces I’ve decided to keep.

First up is this circa 1910 Copeland Late Spode inkwell and pen tray, Registered Design No. 664843.

At first glance, it’s not particularly obvious what it is — which is one of the reasons I like it. The inkwell is permanently attached to the tray, with only the lid removable, and the open areas provided space for pens.

More than a century later, it’s still doing its job. These days, though, its job is mostly just looking good. 😉

Definitely one of my keepers.

08/08/2026

A few more from this week’s finds — antique Victorian ABC and nursery plates, each with a story to tell.

Raised alphabet borders, transferware scenes, old proverbs, moral lessons, and some wonderfully specific Victorian advice. Apparently even a child’s plate was expected to do a little teaching.

These and more are available now in the Etsy shop. Link in profile.

08/08/2026

A selection of vintage and antique Copeland Spode transferware demitasse cup & saucer sets, each with its own pattern, color, and history.

These—and more—are available now in the Etsy shop. Link in profile. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿☕️

08/07/2026

Going antiquing this weekend? Search for vintage and antique treasures and unique finds in the Amador City store!

08/04/2026

For nearly 30 years, these custom displays have hung in my home office as part of my personal NY/SF Giants historical baseball collection.

During the 1990s, I assembled each one individually, pairing original signed cards or cut signatures with archival photographs from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown. Every piece was professionally custom matted and framed, with each photograph carefully chosen to complement the player and tell a story.

After three decades together, I’ve decided it’s time for these displays to find new homes.

The first pieces—including Bill Terry, Frank Frisch, Carl Hubbell, Rube Marquard and Freddy Lindstrom—are now available individually on eBay, with additional New York Giants legends to follow in the coming weeks.

If you appreciate baseball history, Hall of Famers, and thoughtfully curated memorabilia, I hope you’ll enjoy following this collection as it’s released one piece at a time.

eBay link: https://ebay.us/m/8oPBMA ⚾️

08/03/2026

A pair of beautiful early Victorian blue & white transferware platters just arrived in the Etsy shop.

The larger is the classic “View of Greenwich” pattern by Wood & Sons of Burslem, Staffordshire, featuring an idyllic English landscape with Greenwich Hospital in the distance, framed by a lush grapevine border.

The second is the wonderfully detailed “Botanical Beauties” pattern by Elkin & Newbon, produced around 1844–1845. I love the oversized floral center and the tiny scene tucked into the background—a reminder of just how much artistry went into these pieces nearly 180 years ago.

It’s always fun when two English platters from the same era find their way together. They each tell a different story, but both capture the craftsmanship that makes 19th-century transferware so enduring.

Available now in the Etsy shop. Link in profile.

08/02/2026

There are some patterns that never go out of style, and Spode’s Italian is certainly one of them.

This beautiful antique Copeland Spode serving bowl was made in England around the 1930s and features the iconic black transferware landscape that’s been gracing tables for more than two centuries. The crisp transfer, warm ivory body, and hand-applied gold rim make it just as striking today as when it first left the Staffordshire pottery.

At 9½ inches across, it’s a wonderful size for serving, displaying, or simply enjoying on a shelf. Pieces like this have a timeless quality—they seem to fit equally well in an English country home, a farmhouse kitchen, or a more traditional setting.

Available now in my Etsy shop. Link in profile.