I've got a soft spot for these antique transferware child's cups; every time I see a few of them together, they really make me want to build a collection of them. The pink-red decoration on this one comes from Ben Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack (there were a whole series of these illustrating different "maxims"), with the central image including several vignettes occurring in a shop of some sort accompanied by the phrase "Keep Thy Shop and Thy Shop Will Keep Thee" (another reason why this one won me!) and "If you would have your business done, go; if not, send," meaning complete your work or if not send for someone who will. And on the sides: "The Way to Wealth Illustrated" and "Being Lessons for Youth / On Industry / Temperance / Frugality". Pretty charming I think.
2 3/16" tall x 2 7/8" in diameter; 4" across at handle. 1840s-1860s. Crazing, as evident, and it looks like like the handle may have been re-glued where it attaches at some point; it shows a bit orange there. Otherwise, very good antique condition, with no chips or cracks at all that I can see. There is a bit of irregularity to the transfer, original to the cup.
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