1988 China plate of TH. Michael Hampshire. Edwin M. Knowles China Company. Second issue in limited edition series of fables. #6955A. Bradex #84-K81-31.2. $20 from Brenda Headley, Eastport, NY, May, '99. Second exemplar, #976A, in excellent condition, for $5 from Rebecca Nader, Altoona, PA, through Ebay, Oct., '99.
The tortoise approaches us in victory and is just reaching the finish ribbon held by a frog and a squirrel. The rabbit looks on in surprise from behind the tortoise. Richly colored! Included is a brochure presenting the fable's text and commenting on Hampshire's art.
1989 China plate of MM. Michael Hampshire. Edwin M. Knowles China Company. Fifth issue in limited edition series of fables. #1258A. Bradex #84-K81-31.5. $24.99 from Mack's Attic, Derry NH, through Ebay, March, '99.
Hampshire tends to work in a Rockwellian mode.Here the pretty dirndled maid sits with bowed legs and a flower drooping from her hands. Chicks swim in the milk, and the cat approaches to drink some. A goat nuzzles up to console the maid. Hampshire surrounds the scene as usual with plenty of farm animals and life. There is again a brochure of the fable included.
1989 China plate of LM. Michael Hampshire. Edwin M. Knowles China Company. Fourth issue in limited edition series of fables. #216A. Bradex #84-K81-31.4. $20 from Brenda Headley, Eastport, NY, May, '99. Second exemplar, #2137A, in excellent condition, for $5 from Rebecca Nader, Altoona, PA, through Ebay, Oct., '99.
The mouse holds two ends of a split rope triumphantly in his paws. The lion is in the process of springing free from the net as a whole.The box and certificate have suffered water damage, but it seems not to have affected the plate.Included is a brochure presenting the fable's text and commenting on Hampshire's art.
1988 China plate of GGE. Michael Hampshire. Edwin M. Knowles China Company. First issue in a limited edition series of fables. #15343A. Bradex #84-K81-31.1. $19.99 from Kathy Ignoto, Southwick, MA, through Ebay, April, '99. Second exemplar, #14083A, for $20 from Brenda Headley, Eastport, NY, May, '99. Third exemplar, #12125A, in excellent condition, for $5 from Rebecca Nader, Altoona, PA, through Ebay, Oct., '99.
The plate makes the wife the center of attention as she faces out at the viewer. The egg sits between her and us, and is surrounded by the proud goose and admiring animals and owner. Well done. Each exemplar includes a brochure presenting the fable's text and commenting on Hampshire's art.
1989 China plate of FG. Michael Hampshire. Edwin M. Knowles China Company. Third issue in limited edition series of fables. #815A. Bradex #84-K81-31.3. $30 from Daydream at Omaha Collectors' Fair, Nov., '89. Second exemplar, #998A, in excellent condition, for $5 from Rebecca Nader, Altoona, PA, through Ebay, Oct., '99.
Richly colored scene. The fox is perching on a wobbly stool on top of a barrel. Might the whole scene be unnecessarily busy?Included is a brochure presenting the fable's text and commenting on Hampshire's art.
1989 China plate of BF, specifically "The Jay and the Peacock." Michael Hampshire. Edwin M. Knowles China Company. Sixth issue in limited edition series of fables. #1066A. Bradex #84-K81-31.6. $19.20 from Allen's Online, May, '99.
I had heard that there was a sixth in the series, and a little hunting around the web found Allen's selling it! Now as I try to reduplicate the feat, I cannot! The "eyes" of the peacock feathers stand out brilliantly for their color in this plate. Otherwise the jay is more furry than feathery. There are some littler birds chirping at him, but the peacocks only look on him from afar with disdain. A text brochure is included.
1950? Children's paintbox. "Le Renard et la Cigogne.” 9¾" x 3½" x ⅜". $37.74 from bercollec on Ebay, Feb., ‘21.
I was amazed to find the first set in this series, and now I am more amazed to find a second. Again, sixpanels tell the story, another good one for little children. The sly fox makes his invitation in the first panel on the left. In the title-panel, the fox lounges watching the frustrated struggles of the stork. Soon he has an invitation in his hand, appeasrs in the next panel and then puts on his bib, full of expectation. The last panel paints the revenge scene well. Other than "Dessin depose," I can again find no information about the time or producer of this little paint tray. Almost all of the paint is still inside.
1950? Children's paintbox. "Le Cochet, le Chat, et le Souriceau." 9¾" x 3½" x ⅜". $50 from tincollectors@gmail.com, Jan., '20.
Six panels tell this story, a good one for little children. The mouse sets off from home in the furthest left panel. In the title-panel, he meets two new creatures and is startled by them. Below, across three panels, he wonders about the two he encounters. In the fable, one is frightening for the red protuberance under his chin and his harsh voice. The other smiles so nicely and seems so welcoming. He realizes, in the last panel, with the help of his mother, that the smiling creature wants to eat him. The forbidding creature is warning him. Mice will even sometimes eat this creature. Other than "Dessin depose," I cannot find any information about the time or producer of this little paint tray. The brushes, paints, and paints' French names are still inside.
