Very Rare Vintage Souvenir Eiffel Tower Blackpool German Porcelain Cup & Saucer, Circa 1890

This is a extremly rare German Porcelain Cup & Saucer produced, Circa 1899-91 for the Tower at Blackpool or as it was rumuored at the time to be called 'The Blackpool Eiffel Tower'.

Image Printed on the Cup - Note that the image is of the Eiffel Tower placed on the Existing Buildings, Circa 1890/91

The reason behind this is that in 1889, John Bickerstaffe a Blackpool Hotelier who was inturned as Blackpool Mayor at the time went to visit the Great Paris Exhibition and was amazed by Gustav Eiffel's Landmark Tower. On returning  to Blackpool he quickly organised a commitee of Businessmen to raise the funds necessary to build a similar Tower in Blackpool. They commissioned a design from Messrs Maxwell and Tuke, architects, of Manchester, who assured the worthy dignitaries that it was feasible, and indeed laudable, for a 500 foot tower to be built alongside the Blackpool seashore. On 19th February 1891, the Blackpool Tower Company Limited was registered. The company purchased the land and laid out foundations, roughly around this time souvenir makers started producing wares printed with either Blackpool Eiffel Tower or Eiffel Tower, Blackpool as is the case with this cup and saucer. On 29th September 1891, the foundation stone was laid, at a ceremony attended by luminaries from the borough and from numerous other northern towns, it took 3 years to build and was officially opened on the 14th May 1894 as Blackpool Tower, unfortunately Messrs Maxwell and Tuke the architects were not present as they had both died before completion. The Cup and Saucer is made from German Porcelain, with the cup stamped simply with a round black print stamp that reads - MADE IN GERMANY. The Cup has a 'rocco' style to it with the rim made up of rolling ridges, the front of the cup is printed with the image of the Tower and its accompanying buildings, on closer inspection it is clear that this is a early example of Blackpool Tower Souvenirs as the tower structure of the image is actually that of Gustav Eiffel's Tower as Blackpool's Tower would have not been constructed. To either side of the image is blue and yellow floral friezes, with the whole area treated to a embossed/raised scrolled border, which is also present to the saucers edge. The cup and saucer have guilded edges, with the saucer being more rubbed than the cup through use and handling (Please see all Photos). The Cup measures 2.75" in height (diameter 4" including handle) and is in Very Good Used Conditon with a nice ring to the porcelain, though there is some crazing to the glaze. The Saucer measures 5" in diameter and is in Good Condition, as there is a few chips and rough areas to the edge and some light crazing to the centre; though these small defects do not detract from the overall quality and rarity of this item. There is a charge of £3.00 to all U.K. Residents (1st Class Signed For Mail, others P.O.A), will also ship Worldwide no problem, see table below for price on Postage. If you have any questions please feel free to contact!

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