BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse

Subject: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: Will Fly
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 12:10 PM

The Waterford/Wedgwood crystal and ceramic group has collapsed, according to today's news.

I went round the "Glass", as it's known in Waterford, recently, and the factory was almost bereft of workers in some departments. When I asked the tour guide why it was so empty, she replied, "Oh, they'll all be back next week". Walking round the shop, I spotted many pieces made in Poland and Turkey, rather than Waterford itself. When I asked another assistant why this was so, the reply was, "We have so many orders we can't fufill them all here."

I didn't believe the answers at the time... sad to be proved right. though.

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 12:12 PM

I heard on the news last night, the stock was down to pennies a share.

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 12:21 PM

So does that mean that all my Waterford crystal is worthless?

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: GUEST,Antiques Roadshow superstar
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 12:35 PM

Good news!

It means our collections will not be diluted by new products, hence making them worth more in the long term.

I have looked around my possessions and can think of at least 8 more companies who, if they would do the decent thing and go bust, my investemnts will do better in the long run.

Oh, but not Jaguar please. I still have warranty that I wish you to honour.

Chin Chin

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: Amos
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 12:45 PM

Silly wabbit.



A

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: Paul Burke
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 12:55 PM

This si so sad- more than 250 years of tradition in Wedgwood potttery, and so much history- Wedgwood was one of the leading lights behind the development of Britain's canal system, which helped to make the Industrial Revolution stick. He was also a member of the Lunar Society, and so in at the birth of modern science.

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 01:46 PM

We built up a set of Waterford wines some 40 years and more back, bought one or two at the time as we could afford them. Never got the water glasses since we had a family set of antique cut glass tumblers.
A fine sherry always tastes better from good crystal like Waterford, and a single malt deserves the best crystal.

I wonder if Spode (www.spode.co.uk) also is in trouble.

The kids will have to draw lots to see who gets the crystal since there is only one set.
Rapaire, if you have the right pattern, we might make a deal.

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 03:05 PM

the thing about waterford Crystal and wedgewood - its not something you buy every day - if at all.

great stuff, theres no denying though.

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 03:10 PM

We have a BUNCH of Waterford, from celery dishes and liqueur glasses to a lamp. People kept giving it to us as presents. Water goblets, wine glasses, a honey pot (i.e., a pot to keep honey in) -- it sets a heckuva nice formal table if we ever get around to do so again.

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: greg stephens
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 03:51 PM

Spode is down too...or at least the factory in Stoke is shut. It may rise again eslewhere. This is all such a shame. The steel went, the shipbuilding, the mines, you name it. But I hoped and hoped Stoke-on-Trent would hang on.

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 04:05 PM

I just can't believe that Wedgewood is calling in the receivers. Surely they will be saved!
Mind you, it's like to go to a far east manufacture situation if it does live on.
Denby seem to be selling well, or at least it's on sale everywhere, is that still UK made?

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 06:09 PM

Don't forget that Ford sold Jaguar to Tata of India....

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 06:15 PM

Yup, and the bottom has fallen out of the luxury car market. So maybe Ford did something right for a change.

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: Victor in Mapperton
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 06:40 PM

Crystal is not an investment, ebay I see tonight is full of it. In most cases it is an expensive gift for a special event/person when you can't think of sod all else. I have a cupboard full of it gained on the golf courses of our green and pleasant land. The value drops like a stone once you take it out of the shop.

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 08:48 PM

Depends what Waterford one is talking about. A set of wine glasses in named patterns brings a decent price. There are always people filling in their sets. Not an investment, but holds a fair value.
A set of 6 Curraghmore on offer at ebay is currently at $US227.50, or $38/stem, with a few days to go. Watching for singles may bring a 'bargain' addition to one's set, but watch out for shipping and insurance.

'Trophy' pieces generate no interest unless for a specific high-ranking national or international event, thus attracting collectors of sporting memorabilia. These items, however, usually are sterling, splashy and engraved with the event winner and data.

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 08:59 PM

"Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse"

Bet that made one helluva noise!

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 09:05 PM

Bottom falls out of the ceramics, huh?

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: Will Fly
Date: 07 Jan 09 - 04:45 AM

Yup - the stock crashed...

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 07 Jan 09 - 07:07 AM

Shard 'n freude?

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 07 Jan 09 - 07:24 AM

Denby as you said seems to be doing well. some cousins of my wife have written a book about the history of Langley, which was at langley Mill near to the Denby, but went down in the 1950's I think.

Denby Pottery(on the outskirts of Ripley) is a great place to visit - with a visitors centre, a big shop for discontinued lines, seconds, as well as a showroom for the latest stuff. there is a nice inexpensive restaurant and kitchenware shops where they do cookery demonstrations.

thery also do tours of the factory.

lets hope they're allowed to continue. their product is quite stunningly beautiful.

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Jan 09 - 11:01 AM

Here's what Kovell's, authority on antiques and collecting, had to say in their latest newsletter:

Waterford Wedgwood, the famous British firm, lost so much money in the past few years it was forced to file for bankruptcy protection on Monday (January 5). Most of the firm's ceramics are now made in Jakarta, Indonesia (look at the bottom of new dishes in any store), and much of its Waterford Crystal is made by subcontractors in Eastern Europe. Waterford and Wedgwood are brands that have been around for almost 250 years. The Royal Doulton and Rosenthal brands are also owned by the company. Royal Worcester and Spode filed for bankruptcy last November. Collectors will have to wait to see what happens to these famous English glass and ceramics brands. They could disappear.

I find the whole thing very sad.

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: Mr Happy
Date: 07 Jan 09 - 11:15 AM

..........as long as the Lavatory Museum is safe!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: Mr Happy
Date: 07 Jan 09 - 11:25 AM

http://www.stoke.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/leisure/museums/gladstone-pottery-museum/flushed-with-pride/

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 07 Jan 09 - 10:10 PM

In the U. S., Lenox porcelain, www.lenox.com, seems to have a viable company going. They have added imported lines to their casual ware. Their website does not say where the lines are imported from. Is it just a brave front?
Spode still is selling their china in both UK and North America, but at much-discounted prices.

Our special occasion dishes are Lenox (U. S.), we used the set for Christmas dinner, the first time in about three years. Our pattern is long gone from their listings, however. We started with gift place settings (bare bones) when we were married, as so many other couples have, and added pieces for several years. When our pattern was discontinued, the last additions were from the antique dealers.

Sad indeed to see the great English companies go under. We have a set of 19th c. Coalport and Spode Indian Tree pattern, part inherited and part collected through the years; with its scalloped edges easily distinguishable from their later production.

I can understand the failures; not only are times bad (but they have been many times during the long history of the companies) but young people today seem to have little interest in fine china and crystal; moreover they move around much more than we did when we started out and possessions are expensive to move or store.

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: Rapparee
Date: 07 Jan 09 - 10:50 PM

Our good china is Noritake, the silver is Rambler Rose. My wife's family had the tradition of giving a place setting of the silver from her 16th birthday until she had service for twelve. This include iced tea spoons, cream soup spoons, and seafood forks! We also have the table linens to go with this stuff.

We really ought to have formal dinners more often, but with the servant problem as it is...well, you know.

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 07 Jan 09 - 11:40 PM

Ah, yes, the servants. I have a book of 'affordable' house plans, I think 1940 date. Most of the plans includes a maid's room. There is a plan contributed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and the estimate is $11,000.

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: Art Thieme
Date: 08 Jan 09 - 12:01 AM

We have one Wedgwood bowl. It was my mother's. It holds the quarters/.25 pieces which we dutifully feed into the washing machine and dryer each week.

For what it's worth...

Art

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: EBarnacle
Date: 08 Jan 09 - 01:37 PM

Remember that Darwin was married to a Wedgwood. It would also appear that he got his position on HMS Beagle through a gentle assist from them.

Subject: RE: BS: Waterford Crystal & Wedgwood collapse
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 08 Jan 09 - 01:47 PM

"and much of its Waterford Crystal is made by subcontractors in Eastern Europe."

I'm pretty sure this has been the case for around 20 years...

Vaughan Williams was also related to the Wedgewood-Darwins on his mother's side.