Christmas behind us we do not travel around the antique fairs in the cold months of January and February so, this year, we left the website in the capable hands of our daughter, and went on an extended holiday to the sun. With Spring around the corner and batteries recharged, we have booked to stand at several large fairs during the rest of the year.

So that everyone can see where we will be standing and, hopefully, some of you will be able to come along and say ‘hello’, we have added a diary page to our website, www.carano.co.uk/diary . We have also added a page with the details of the fairs, http://www.carano.co.uk that includes links to the organisers’ web sites.

Sister Site

We have also been developing a new website to sell quality framed art prints by artists such as Louis Wain, LS Lowry, Louis Icart and many more, that went ‘live’ on 1st March so please also visit that site – http://www.caranoprints.com

Poole Pottery

In the March 2007 newsletter we reported that Lifestyle had bought Poole Pottery. We are now pleased to report that they have resurrected the website, http://www.poolepottery.co.uk which includes an online shop and information about the pottery’s designers and artists. Lifestyle appears to have continued production of previous designs but have also added new designs such as the ‘African Sky’ range.

Carlton Ware 

Carlton Ware was a famous Stoke-on-Trent based pottery manufacturer. The company is best remembered for its often rather garish tableware, often in the form of highly decorated leaves or fruit, and the ceramic toucans it made as promotional items for Guinness. It reached its artistic high point with superb hand-painted domestic pottery in art deco styles during the 1920s and 1930s. Unfortunately, there are very poor records of their shapes and patterns so the website, www.carltonware.com is a godsend for collectors. The site is run by two dedicated enthusiasts, Dr. Czes and Yvonne Kosniowski who have gathered together a large amount of information that they have put on their website. They have also published two very useful books called:

• A Pocket Guide to Carlton Ware
• Carlton Ware Catalogue and Price Guide