Sport.
Some of the images below are in a "galleries". Click the images to make them larger.
Football, Association Football or Soccer.
Sunderland lustre mug children playing football.
This mid 1800s mug was made in the north-east potteries of Sunderland or Tyneside. The reverse of the mug shows a game of bat and ball.
1880 F.A. Cup Final mug. Clapham Rovers versus Oxford University.
Although not named. this mug shows a match at Kennington Oval. The team in blue and white is Oxford Univerity who were beaten 1-0 by Clapham Rovers wearing cerise and french grey. The same teams had played at the Oval in a semi-final in 1874, but it is more likely that the mug was made for the 1880 final. Similar mugs can be found without the coloured team strips.
www.historicalkits.co.uk/English_Football_League/FA_Cup_Finals/1880-1889.html
www.historicalkits.co.uk/English_Football_League/FA_Cup_Finals/1880-1889.html
Football mug late 1800s.
This pottery mug shows what appears to be a school football match with a tented pavilion behind.
Football pottery plaques circa 1890 to 1919.
These plaques are a similar shape and size to those pink and orange lustre plaques made earlier in the century at Sunderland and other North East potteries. They are sometimes erroneously described as "Sunderland". The normally green border plaques with speckled gilding feature military heroes from before the Boer War to World War one peace celebrations and a huge variety of random pictures.
Other green bordered plaques.
To see Sunderland lustre plaques and more click below.
https://www.matesoundthepump.com/
Other green bordered plaques.
To see Sunderland lustre plaques and more click below.
https://www.matesoundthepump.com/
Plate 1907 Sheffield Wednesday Cup Winners Newcatle United League Champions.
Pottery plate made by the Bristol Porcelain and Glass company. The F.A. Cup is shown in the centre with the names of the Sheffield Wednesday winning team. The league table shows Newcastle United as Champions. The records of all 20 teams are shown around the edge with badges of the town or city. Teams from the same city have the same badge.
1937 Coronation year Cup Final Plate Sunderland versus Preston North End.
These commemorative plates for the Coronation of George VI and Queen Elizabeth have the added words to commemorate the F.A. Cup Final of 1937. Sunderland beat Preston North End 3-1. The plates come in various shapes, some with the name of the manufacturer.
World Cup 1966.
World Cup Willie.
Two small tea towels made before the World Cup of 1966. (Size 17" by 16", 43cm by 41cm). "World Cup Willie", the tournament mascot, featured on a wide range of merchandise. Knitting patterns were available so you could have your own home-made cuddly toy or patch. The small figures on a ball-bearing were made by Rolykins (who also made a Dalek). The yellow plastic badges were made by Plastoid Ltd. of Leicester. The Union Flag colour on the larger badge is a thin plastic insert which is easily capable of falling off.
Other 1966 items.
The football money box is unmarked but looks like it could be by Wade. It has the same appearance as the tortoises or viking ships which were popular at the time. Pin trays, stamps, soap on a rope are all there for the collector.
There are 2 programmes, one made before the tournament, and one for the final. The final programme is largely the first one with the results printed in and a different cover. The World Cup Final programme has been reproduced so needs careful attention before buying. There are many ways in which the original differs from the fake. One is the weight, the real one is over 100 grams, the fake is under. The original program was made in two parts, so looking at the edges of the pages you will see how the middle section has been added. Of the 3 final programmes shown, the one on the left is fake.
There are 2 programmes, one made before the tournament, and one for the final. The final programme is largely the first one with the results printed in and a different cover. The World Cup Final programme has been reproduced so needs careful attention before buying. There are many ways in which the original differs from the fake. One is the weight, the real one is over 100 grams, the fake is under. The original program was made in two parts, so looking at the edges of the pages you will see how the middle section has been added. Of the 3 final programmes shown, the one on the left is fake.
Jules Rimet World Cup Trophy Replica.
This trophy is 8 inches tall and made of metal and marble. The sattue is fixed to the plinth by a bolt hidden behind green baize. There is a plaque on the front with no inscription and thereby lies the mystery. Another example is on display in the entrance to Sunderland Association Football Club at the Stadium of Light. World Cup matches were played at Sunderland's previous stadium, Roker Park, in 1966 and the trophy is assumed to have been presented in recognition of this, despite there again being no inscription.
Another example appeared on Ebay in 2016 with the inscription "Presented by the Football Association to mark the winning of the World Cup 1966" on the plaque. There was provenance connecting it with the World Cup games played at Everton but nothing on the trophy itself.
I found my example at an antique fair in the 1980s and bought it for its decorative value. I continue to try to find out how many were made and to whom they were given.
Another example appeared on Ebay in 2016 with the inscription "Presented by the Football Association to mark the winning of the World Cup 1966" on the plaque. There was provenance connecting it with the World Cup games played at Everton but nothing on the trophy itself.
I found my example at an antique fair in the 1980s and bought it for its decorative value. I continue to try to find out how many were made and to whom they were given.
World Cup glasses circa 1970.
These 5 glasses, of what must have been a set of 6 (or 8), appear to date from 1970. The choice of teams is a puzzle. The teams all featured in the 1966 World Cup (except for Yugoslavia) however the glasses are later than that. The ball shown was used in 1970 not 1966. The England strip with white shorts was that used in 1970. However not all these teams appeared in the 1970 World Cup. Were they produced before the 16 competing teams were decided? If so is it by chance that one glass has Italy and Brazil who were the 1970 finalists?
The 1970 World Cup Mascot design department at the Football Association must have deliberated over many months before deciding to stick a sombrero on World Cup Willie!
The 1970 World Cup Mascot design department at the Football Association must have deliberated over many months before deciding to stick a sombrero on World Cup Willie!
Coffer Sports. Pottery football mugs.
This firm made was prominent in the 1960s, 70s and 80s producing promotional merchandise. They made enamel badges for many football clubs using the same few basic designs. Here are some cheap pottery mugs which, once decorated, become a must have item for a fan. Some mugs have a code on the base ending in 77, 78 or 79, clearly the year. What the rest of the code means I do not know but have added it to the caption of each mug. (Please click the photo to enlarge it and get the caption.) Many of the mugs are made by TAMS of Staffordshire which went out of business around 2000.
Other companies football mugs.
The pottery mugs are not marked on the base other than the "MADE IN ENGLAND" moulding.
Other Pottery, Porcelain and Glass.
A glass impressed "FRANCE" for Maxime BOSSIS. Dated 1978 when France competed in the World Cup finals in Argentina. The glass Sunderland centenary plate is made by J A Jobling the famous glass maker of Sunderland.
Crested China football and cup.
China laced footbal with "Warrington" crest. Football trophy with "Fulham" crest. Both items from the early 20th century,
China mug bears playing football.
Multiple sports pottery items.
Queen Victoria 1897 Jubilee mug.
Doulton stonware three handled cup circa 1882.
Cricket
Sutherland Art China cricket mug.
Green bordered pottery Criket plaque: "A MISSED BOUNDARY"
Boxing. Tom Spring and Jack Langhan staffordshire plaques.
Horse Racing. Fred Archer
A tile showing the popular but troubled Fred Archer. He won the Derby 5 times before ending his life aged 29. (Size 8" by 6" or 20cm by 15cm).
Green bordered horse racing plaque.
Grand National 1937. Royal Mail.
A doulton pottery mug, apparently the first of a sporting series. Obviously in the year of a King's coronation the race would be won by a pun on "Royal Male". Royal Mail's parents were "My Prince" and "Flying May".
http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/MyPrince.html
http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/MyPrince.html
Nijinsky plate by Spode.
China plate for the 1970 St Leger. It comes with complete paper documentation in a nice silk-lined presentation box.
Tennis. Wimbledon 1977.
This mug is reminiscent of some mugs and plates made around 1900 which featured the league positions of football teams, past winners of horse races and cricket statistics. A double celebration for the UK of the Queen's Silver Jubilee and Virginia Wade's Wimbledon win. A triple celebration if you liked Borg.
Yachting. Sir Francis Chichester and Gypsy Moth IV 1967.
Pottery mug with "TAMS ENGLAND 67" on base.
Olympic Games.
Enamel pin badges have been made for many of the Olympic Games, and Winter Games. Maybe the London Olympics will see fewer spectators wearing badges because of the exorbitant prices. If the much maligned mercenary football clubs can make a profit selling enamel badges at £2-£3 each, it seems difficult to justify the £6-£7 charged at London 2012.
The mascot at Albertville, France was called Magique, and the three mascots for the Sydney Millenium Olympics were Syd, Millie and Olly. The Association football of the 1996 Georgia USA games was played in stadiums across the country including Washington, Orlando and the Miami Orange Bowl. The closing stages were in the Georgia Bulldogs College Football stadium in the aptly called town of Athens GA.
The mascot at Albertville, France was called Magique, and the three mascots for the Sydney Millenium Olympics were Syd, Millie and Olly. The Association football of the 1996 Georgia USA games was played in stadiums across the country including Washington, Orlando and the Miami Orange Bowl. The closing stages were in the Georgia Bulldogs College Football stadium in the aptly called town of Athens GA.
Olympic mugs Montreal 1976
These pottery mugs were made in Staffordshire and feature the individual sport logos, or pictograms, originally designed by Otl Aicher for the 1972 Munich Games. Were all of the sports were put on mugs?