Here are some different categories of teapots that might help to narrow down your choice in collecting teapots.
Advertising
Many companies produce teapots with their logos or icons on them.
- Tetley Tea offers numerous teapots with their logo.
- Lipton company gave away teapots as premiums in the 1930's (pots were made by Hall).
- A Salada teapot premium was made by McCoy.
- Other tea companies such as Bigelow and Celestial Seasonings also offer different teapots at times.
- Another advertising option is a non-tea company, e.g. Harrods, that will sell teapots with their logos or company icons.
From Schroeder's Antiques Price Guide: Reproductions to be aware of: majolica styles with modern marks and Blue Willow, which has been made continuously for almost two centuries.
- Older pieces can be quite costly, so be prepared to spend a few bucks there. Take a look on eBay's completed auctions or a site such as TIAS to get an idea of the current prices.
- When buying an antique teapot be sure to check for damage on the lid and spout, both easily damaged.
- One-of-a-kind art pieces, which are in fact sculptures, can be found in Galleries specializing in the Ceramic Arts. Prices range from $100 and can go up to the thousands.
- The finest pieces were made in England, but there are also some very nice pieces were "Made in Japan" pieces, as well as newer cottage teapots made in the U.S.
- Online prices for vintage cottageware teapots can start at $25.- $30. for the "Made in Japan" teapots. The English cottageware pots are little higher, but if you are looking around in an antique shop, be prepared to pay more.
- Traditional style teapots with floral or other decorative designs can start anywhere from $10. at the very low end for newer pieces. Prices can go way up, depending on the company, design and age of the teapot.
Licensed cartoon character teapots could be one considered one of the fun collectibles in the future.
- Look for jars available from the Disney Store (and the now closed Warner Bros Stores}. Also licensed designs from companies such as Paul Cardew and Treasure Craft.
- This category can even be narrowed even more by collecting, for instance, only Mickey Mouse teapots or just Looney Toons. Licensed pieces from companies such as Treasure Craft start around $25. Teapots exclusive from Disney usually start around $35. new, whereas the full size Cardew Disney teapots usually start at over $100.
- Hall teapots deserve their own category. Hall has continually made teapots since around 1920 and have made some of the most highly sought after teapots. The company still makes teapots today and have a devoted following.
- Collecting the teapots from a particular pottery is for the truly passionate. The quest to find all the teapots and variations from one particular company can be a daunting project if the pottery has not been well documented. It's always fun to find one that you've never seen or heard of before! Many companies have made teapots to go along with their other lines and current companies continue to do so.
- Cardew, Carter, Bibby and Titcomb all make wonderful pots and a superb collection can be accomplished by selecting one of these artists and filling a display cabinet with their great pieces.
