Nippon collectors and dealers from all over the United States, Canada and Japan will be meeting for their 27th annual convention at the Embassy Suites in Dublin, Ohio, (just outside Columbus) July 31 through August 2. Educational programs and seminars are planned for both veteran collectors and beginners.
The convention fee includes dinner on Thursday and Saturday nights where everyone gathers to swap Nippon stories and socialize each evening. Plenty of time has been allotted for eager collectors to visit each other’s rooms, where they can buy, sell and trade to their heart’s content. A staggering array of Nippon will be on display awaiting new owners.
The Embassy Suites provides an ideal location for the convention. There is plenty of room to display items and in addition the hotel serves a complimentary breakfast every morning and hosts a complimentary cocktail hours each evening. There are many nearby attractions including the historic German Village, the Longaberger©Basket Homestead, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and the National Heisey Glass Museum.
Nippon marked porcelain was exported from Japan during the years of 1891 and 1921 and is a highly desirable collectible? – both for its beauty and its infinite variety. An all Nippon auction, as usual, will be the highlight for convention attendees. Last year’s auction offered a rare scenic palace urn which brought a bid of $10,000. Many other wonderful items were also offered for sale.
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 or Japan. The 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 19th Century and the early 20th Century. Many of the items were sold in gift shops, five-and-ten-cent 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 and further information about the club can be obtained from Dick Bittner, 8 Geoley Court, Thurmont, Maryland 21799 or by visiting the INCC Web site which is www.nipponcollectorsclub.com. The Web site 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.
The INCC provides a number of publications each year in addition to the Web site, a chat line, membership directory and the annual convention. The club’s main purpose is for education but it is also a chance to buy and sell Nippon and make new friends with other collectors.