Thursday, June 3, 2010

WINKING TEACUPS

Made in Staffordshire England
Q: This photo is of two teacups that my late mother purchased, probably in the 1950s. She thought it was a Lipton Tea Company offer made on television's Garry Moore Show. I would appreciate any information you can give me about them.
A: Several versions of the winking teacup have been made. Yours were made as a premium for Lipton Tea. A version of this cup, stamped "Made in Staffordshire England" on the bottom, was made c.1950. Another version was made in China in the late 1990s as a premium for Bailey's Irish Cream. The Bailey's logo is the eyebrow over the open eye and the word "Yum" is on the inside of the teacup. A teapot, sugar, creamer, and cookie jar were also made with the Bailey's logo eyebrows. The girl teacup has either a blue or a yellow bow. The words "Limited Edition" and sometimes the year "1996" are embossed on the bottom. Bailey's also issued an unpainted version of the girl teacup for the Los Angeles Youth Network. The cups were decorated by actress Helen Hunt and have her signature on the back. The girl has a pale blue eye and a silver necklace, but her eyebrows and bow are unpainted. Winking teacups like yours usually sell for $5 to $10 each.




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