Featured Stained & Cracked

We all know that condition is everything...but...I don't have the heart to discard these 19th century plates. Read somewhere that pieces can be fully or partially restored. Not something I'd be willing to do, however, I'm thinking maybe someone out there would willing to buy them. Both are heavily stained and each has a significant crack. What do you think, keep or discard?

WedgWood Milesian Plate 1830-1870 by DonnaW posted Dec 12, 2023 at 2:55 PM

WedgWood Milesian Plate by DonnaW posted Dec 12, 2023 at 2:55 PM

R & Co Archipelago Sailboat Circa 1840-1855 by DonnaW posted Dec 12, 2023 at 2:55 PM

JR & Co Archipelago by DonnaW posted Dec 12, 2023 at 2:55 PM

 

They certainly don't sell for much. If you want to play with the staining, sit it somewhere and fill it with hydrogen peroxide and let sit for 24 hours. Dump out and see if the color changed. A lot of the brown may leech out and turn the peroxide dark brown instead.
Old transferware in good shape doesn't make much; they made too much of it. Damaged is "good luck with that" unless it's got an old staple repair. Stapled pieces can sell just for having the repair.

 

Thanks so much for the feedback!

 

One of the things I learned here is just because something is old doesn't mean that gives it value. If you like it, then by all means keep it around. It might have sentimental value or in some other way it appeals to you that is all good. Old stained and cracked plates might not be worth the space they take up though. Someone used them and loved them, but perhaps there time has passed.

 

Thank you Kiko, your feedback is very much appreciated...I may try to remove the stains and if that doesn't work...I'll put them back in the box. As I mentioned, just don't have the heart to toss out something that survived since the 1800's.

 

As a last resort, dishwasher, I kid you not.

 

I’ve never actually used the hydrogen peroxide method of reducing/erasing dirty hairline cracks. If I was going to try I would have used the brown bottle under my sink. However I heard from a longtime dealer/auctioneer that you need to use 35% industrial grade HP for it to really work. They said you can get it at beauty supply stores I believe.

 

A good way to give these a second life IMO is under potted plants to catch dirt and water. I’ve used damaged old plates for this after seeing it done at an estate sale I went to. It adds character to the whole thing.

Also to the collector market these may not be very desirable. Sometimes the novice/citizen market will be more accommodating. Like fb marketplace. To some people having anything from the 1800’s is really cool and exciting and if it’s affordable and pretty they might buy it, unaware that it’s not particularly rare.

 

Beauty supply hydrogen peroxide will work better, faster, but if you're just messing around the cheap stuff you have handy will do fine.