In Addition to Long Beach Antique & Collectible Show, Billy Blue Eye Adds the Del Mar Antique Show & Sale to January Events.

With the promise of a sunny, warm California winter weekend in the forecast, it is with great pleasure that Billy Blue Eye will attend the Long Beach Antique & Collectible Market this Sunday, January 16th.

In addition we have added to our January show schedule the three day Del Mar Antique Show & Sale held next weekend Friday, January 21st through Sunday, January 23rd. The Del Mar event is held indoors at the Del Mar Racetrack & Fairgrounds where we will not be at the mercy of  Mother Nature as we were with the pre-holiday events in November and December.

Billy Blue Eye since its inception has proudly offered works by Monmouth Western Stoneware Company of Monmouth, Illinois as we were drawn to the rich saturation of their glaze colors.  Monmouth was formed in 1894 creating utilitarian items such as butter churns, bowls, crocks and jugs. In the early 1900’s the company created an art pottery line and its work was often mistaken as product from the Red Wing Union Stoneware Company (Red Wing, Minnesota) that competed with Monmouth at that time.

In 1905, Monmouth was sold and in 1906 it was merged with six other stoneware companies to create The Monmouth Western Stoneware Company.  A more detailed history of Monmouth can be found at Oldstoneware.com.  The link for the Monmouth history is provided here.

In conjunction with its strong color story what originally attracted us to Monmouth was its very unusual brushed ware works created in the early 1900’s and used to perfection in it’s Dull Finish line that was documented in a 1927 catalog.  Jardinieres, vases and bulb forcing bowls from three series “Fern”, “Lotus” and “Egyptian” are favorites not only with us but with collectors worldwide. Examples from these series will be available at the Long Beach and Del Mar shows this month.

Monmouth Western Stoneware Company c.1925-30 Blue 10" Dull Finish Lotus Vases, $140.00 each (Background - Both vases SOLD) and Monmouth c.1926-30 Blue 7" x 2" Dull Finish "Fern" Japanese Bird & Mountain Bowl, $90.00 (Foreground)

The Long Beach, California  Antique & Collectible Market held this  Sunday, January 16th is open from 6:30 AM to 2:00 PM in the Veteran’s Stadium Parking lot.  Look for our green and white tent in our usual  booth, # A-853. For additional information on the Long Beach Flea Market contact us or visit their website http://www.longbeachantiquemarket.com. A discount admission coupon is available at their website.

Monmouth Western Stoneware c.1930's 8" Double Handled Scalloped Rim Vase w/ original label, $62.00 SOLD

We are proud to be joining in its’ 51st year, The Del Mar Antique Show & Sale held at the O’Brien Pavilion at the beautiful Del Mar Fairgrounds on  January 21 – 23, 2011. The show hours are Friday & Saturday from 11AM until 7PM and   Sunday beginning at 11AM until 5PM. A single admission purchase ($8 for adults) is good for the entire run of the show! Get a discount pass here.

Billy Blue Eye will be located in Booth 623 and in addition to Monmouth we will have treasures from all of your favorite pottery companies including Red Wing, Roseville, Van Briggle, McCoy, Weller, Catalina, Gladding McBean, Haeger, Stangl, Sascha Brastoff, Rookwood,  Beswick of England, and a selection of Australian, Canadian and German pottery companies. We have many new acquisitions to tempt the most discerning collectors.

For more information on the Del Mar Antique Show & Sale contact us directly or visit their website by clicking here. We look forward to seeing you soon at these events.