A Private Collection of Antiques & Ceramics: The Late Mrs P. Hooper of Stamford
Born in Berkshire in 1937 Patricia Hooper was educated at the Abbey School in Reading and then went straight into the civil service. Her love of ceramics began in 1968 when upon answering an advert in the local newspaper she ended up at the house of a charming elderly lady selling half a dozen items laid out on a small table. Feeling obliged to buy something she came away with "the only undamaged item" paying 25 shillings for an unknown jug which later turned out to be a Doulton Jug dated 1877. Further research built up her knowledge on Henry Doulton and the Lambeth School. Self taught she gradually built up a collection "focussing on artist wares where possible followed by very early wares" with the proviso “all must be perfect’. She also carefully catalogued where, when and from whom she bought. in the 70’s she ventured into the organisation and running of Blackburn Antiques Fair at the King Georges Hall with the help of her husband and young family.
Over the next 50 years she broadened her interests and knowledge along with the times, interests and housekeeping, as she continued to “dabble" in Antiques, becoming one of the first stall holders at Bygone Times in Eccleston in the 80’s and again at the Merchants House in Leominster. She continued to attend national and local fairs across the country according to where she moved following her husbands' job. Many of the pieces being offered for auction have been in her collection since the first days off her journey into antiques and collectables.
