Shelley, of course, is currently very collectable in itself and the company’s shrewd link up with Atwell back in the ’30s makes such sets doubly attractive. The one offered at the Stoke-on-Trent rooms was consigned by a dealer, who had taken a considerable amount of time to acquire the full set of toadstool sugar bowl, toadstool teapot and elf jug. The rare service was in good condition bar a small chip to the base of the elf jug. In polychrome enamels and with printed marks to the base, the set brought a mid-estimate £600 from a specialist collector.
Shelley and Atwell are the top team
UK: A HOUSEHOLD name in the 1930s-40s, Mabel Lucie Atwell (1879-1964) is today a very collectable name as was shown when this Shelley three-piece tea service, right, was offered at Potteries Specialist Auctions (buyer’s premium 11.75 per cent) on February 24.
