Our primer continues.
Royal Albert has a great many wonderful floral patterns — you know that already. But there are patterns that are floral and themed, such as "Flower of the Month". There are twelve of them, obviously. Each month is given over to a particular flower, and every cup, plate and so on carries the image of the flower that belongs to it.
Would you like never to rack your brains over a birthday present again? Well, here you are. Is your friend a Gemini? Take June. And there is no harm in living a little for yourself, either. I have friends who have collected all twelve — they drink their morning coffee or tea from them, changing the cup every month. It lifts the spirits enormously, and with good spirits come luck and strength.
Sweet pea, light and full of cheer.
So:
- January — Snowdrops
- February — Violets
- March — Anemones
- April — Sweet Pea
- May — Lily of the Valley
- June — Roses
- July — Forget-me-not
- August — Poppy
- September — Michaelmas Daisy
- October — Cosmos
- November — Chrysanthemum
- December — Christmas Rose (black hellebore, with mistletoe)
The English names are given so that you can find your bearings and always check what you have bought against the maker's mark.
A delicate March.
A reminder: on genuine English Royal Albert the maker's "stamp" — the mark — is clean and handsome. There is no thick diagonal scratch across it, which denotes seconds; there is no "Made in Indonesia"; and the word England, or Made in England, is always present.
June, all in roses.
And for the "Flower of the Month" series the mark is quite incredibly beautiful — see for yourself:
The Royal Albert mark for the "Flower of the Month" series.
Always ask your porcelain supplier for a clear photograph of the mark. And check it against what arrives. That way you can be sure you have bought something worth having.