Tea vendors around the world report a brisk business for teaware celebrating the upcoming royal wedding. Tea houses well beyond the borders of the commonwealth are hosting events and supporting churches and non-profits that are using the occasion for fundraising and to teach tea etiquette. Share with World Tea News how your shop is making the most of the pending nuptials.
Memorabilia is in great demand. The Royal Collection consists of a plate, tankard, pill box, tea towel and spoon. Teaware, officially sanctioned by the couple, is decorated with a pattern of doves, white ribbons and hearts in silver, gold and grey, set against a pale-grey striped background. The porcelain is made from a 250-year-old method. Items are embellished with several layers of burnished gold and platinum before hand-applied 22-carat gold gilding. Proceeds from sales benefit the Royal Trust.
USA Today reports: "Luxury purveyors and knockoff artists alike are slapping pictures of the couple on everything from a brass commerative coin (about $12) to a limited-edition Royal Wedding Lion Head Vase of fine china by Royal Worcester (about $525)."
"Americans are among the most enthusiastic consumers of royal collectibles," Stephen Church told the newspaper. Church is managing director of Church's China, a china- and-glass shop north of London . He anticipates seven figure sales to Americans by the wedding.
Half of the items he has sold have gone to Americans, says Church. "We believe (Americans buy) because it enables them to feel they are part of the celebration," Church says. "Americans see them as a spectacle, and they buy into the fairy story. They're more excited than the British are."
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Source: USA Today