I think some might think I'm kidding on my King's Crown Leads page when I say to train your friends and family to identify your King's Crown pattern. The above picture is proof that we all need to make sure our close friends and loved ones know what our pattern looks like. A fellow King's Crown collector wrote to me and said, "I've been showing my wife what kinds of things to look for. We went to an antique mall and this is her first KC find. Wow, I can't wait to see what she finds next!" Not only did she find the rare King's Crown banana stand, but in the old style, and it was well under $100. Wow is right!
My first experience was with my punch bowl. I had just had my daughter and home recuperating when a close friend called and said in a town an hour away she swore she saw a King's Crown punch bowl. I knew she'd seen enough of it that I could trust her sighting. Having a newborn, a toddler and in my weaken state I just didn't want to make the trip. My husband said we HAVE to check it out. Up until then we had never seen one. So, we packed up the kids, the extra strength tylenol and off we went. There it was as she said. We just stood and look at it. I had never seen a piece of King's Crown that BIG before nor had I seen a price tag that big either. After some negotiating it came home with us at the price we wanted.
My second experience was with the training of my brother. He has a very nice Franciscan Starburst collection going, so he's out and about to antique shows and stores. We shop together occasionally and he sees my collection at my home. One year he found my compote with the fluted edge. I had gone to his house for a Halloween party and as a joke he put it on the table with black olives in it. Then he waited for me to notice it. I guess my reaction was well worth! At first I thought he had purchased it for himself and then he told me it could go home with me. Whew! Good thing saved himself from some sibling torture. :)
My third experience was with the training of my husband. He was helping a cousin clean out his mother's house after many many years of being a pack rat. And in that house amongst a ton of stuff was a single solitary King's Crown goblet. His cousin was thankful for my husband's help and let him have it. Funny thing I had broken a goblet the week before and it was an exact replacement.
So, no I'm not kidding! Get out the chalk boards and start training your troups!