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Collecting Place Settings

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Author	Topic: Collecting Place Settings
chase33 Posts: 362 Registered: Feb 2008	posted 09-02-2010 10:32 PM Since I can't buy all of the flatware that seems to be going to the smelter, I have decided to collect at least a place setting and some serving pieces in as many (post 1950)patterns. My question is: should I just collect the basic 4-piece place setting or should I add other palce pieces like the butter spreader, oval soup spoon etc.? Robert PS I thought there was a forum called collecting place settings put I can't seem to find it. Apologies if I posted this in the wrong place. [This message has been edited by chase33 (edited 09-04-2010).] IP: Logged
taloncrest Posts: 169 Registered: Jun 2004	posted 09-03-2010 08:43 AM I like having the soup spoon. I always find use for them. The butter knife, not so much. I've bought them for my sets, but using the bread and butter plate makes my table too crowded for my taste, so the knife never gets used. There was a collecting place settings section, but it's been hard to get to for quite some time. IP: Logged
denimrs Posts: 102 Registered: Dec 2005	posted 09-03-2010 10:25 AM I agree with taloncrest totally on the oval soup spoon. For me they are dessert spoons and get used often. I also agree that having a bread and butter plate clutters the table and never is used. However, sometimes if I am serving a meal that does not need a knife, but does call for buttering bread, I will use the butter spreader and it gets placed on the edge of dinner plate not a bread plate. So, it might be a good addition to your settings. BTW, good for you saving some great patterns in this way. IP: Logged
Kayvee Posts: 204 Registered: Oct 2004	posted 09-03-2010 11:44 AM Interesting question. My answer would be that it depends on the goals of your collection (and your budget!). Do you want to go broad or deep? It sounds like you want to collect single examples of various mid-twentieth century patterns – a broad collection. In this case, the minimum would be a dinner knife, dinner fork and teaspoon in each pattern as seen in museum collections, for example the Jewel Stern collection at the Dallas Museum of Art. Some collectors, especially those of nineteenth century flatware, like to have deep collections - all the place pieces made in a particular pattern. Some collectors like to collect the work of certain makers or designers, in which case they go deep by collecting an example of all the flatware pieces made in each pattern. If your collection is also for personal use, then it would make sense to collect the pieces that you'd use the most. IP: Logged
chase33 Posts: 362 Registered: Feb 2008	posted 09-03-2010 02:25 PM Hi Kayvee, I already have a deep collection of Chantilly (490+ pieces). It is the my "main" pattern. I also have a service for 8 in Etruscan and Gadroonette. This "collection" is more to try to save patterns that aren't appreciated as much today and seem to be heading to the smelter. I do plan on using them which will be a first for me since I am not really a mix-n-match kinda person. So I know I will need at least the basic four-piece but wanted input on other place pieces. I think I will add the oval soup since some good points have been made about having it as part of the setting. For serving pieces, I have been picking up stray pieces in any pattern as long as the price is reasonable. Thanks for your input and I hope I have addressed your questions and look forward to any other suggestions you may have for me. Thanks Robert IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 09-06-2010 10:13 AM Collecting Place Settings IP: Logged
chase33 Posts: 362 Registered: Feb 2008	posted 09-06-2010 12:24 PM Thanks for the link Scott. I can't wait to read the entries. IP: Logged
Kayvee Posts: 204 Registered: Oct 2004	posted 09-06-2010 09:03 PM Hello Robert - It sounds like you have your place settings all worked out. How do you decide which patterns / makers you will collect? IP: Logged

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