MUST RUN 3/28

INTERNATIONAL NIPPON COLLECTORS CLUB CONVENTION

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DUBLIN, OHIO — Nippon collectors and dealers from all over the Untied States, Canada and Japan will be meeting for the 27th annual convention at the Embassy Suites July 31 to August 2. Educational programs and seminars are planned for both veteran collectors and beginners.

The convention fee includes dinner Thursday and Saturday nights where everyone gathers to swap Nippon stories and socialize. Time has been allotted for collectors to visit each other’s rooms, where they can buy, sell and trade.

Nippon marked porcelain was exported from Japan during the years of 1891–1921 and is considered a desirable collectible — both for its beauty and for its infinite variety. An all Nippon auction will be the highlight of the convention. Last year’s auction offered a rare scenic palace urn which brought a bid of $10,000.

Nippon marked china was produced mainly by the Noritake Company and imported by Morimura Brothers to the United States, Canada, Great Britain and Australia. The word “Nippon” is actually Japan in Japanese. In 1891, the American government required that all imports be marked with the country of origin; hence the word “Nippon” was used.

In 1921, the government decided that the marking must be in English and all subsequent porcelain was marked “Made in Japan.” Japanese items were less expensive to purchase than pieces coming from Germany and Austria and were very popular in the United States during the end of the Nineteenth and the early Twentieth Century.

Many of the items were sold in gift shops, five-and-ten-cents stores, summer resorts, through catalogs and even at carnivals and penny arcades. The Noritake Company in Nagoya, Japan, had artists in New York City draw many of the early designs used on the wares and these drawings were sent to Japan for the Noritake artists to copy.

The convention is open only to INCC members. Contact Dick Bittner, 8 Geoley Court, Thurmont MD 21799  or visit www.nipponcollectorsclub.com for information about the club and membership.

The website has many examples of Nippon porcelain and information about the reproductions collectors have found over the years. It also has photos taken at the past two conventions as well as a membership form.