My name is Samantha and my grandma was a fairground traveller or Showman.  She and her family prized Royal Crown Derby, as did many Showmen.  They decorated their living wagons with Royal Crown Derby, especially dinner and tea services, which were also used.  My grandma even gave us her china saucers to 'chew' on when we were teething to cool our gums!  They bought many pieces from Doyle's, "the best china shop in Leeds", because they genuinely welcomed Showmen and Romany customers through their doors.  Grandma would take us there to see Royal Crown Derby and learn to appreciate it.  We were even allowed to handle it as young children at home.  For my 21st birthday, she joined me up to the Royal Crown Derby Collectors Guild and my members piece was the Grey Kitten.  It's still at my parents though, as I'm not allowed to take it, even though I've been married and in my own home for 20 years, until I have a proper cabinet to display it!  One of my grandma's favourite Old Imari pieces was this miniature cup and saucer, which was part of a set that she received one Christmas from her 6 sons and their families.  She also liked this pretty flower garlands cup and saucer, also Royal Crown Derby from around 1903.  Grandma also got my mum, her daughter-in-law who isn't from the fair, hooked on Royal Crown Derby, as they often went out for day trips together, including many an antiques fair, which is where Christmas and birthday gifts were often found.  This has been a lovely opportunity to reminisce about her, as she would have been 100 in March.

I am a collecter of The Royal Crown Derby Imari pattern... just starting off my collection at the moment! Royal Crown Derby Imari patterns are unique and beautiful pieces and look beautiful in any home... genuine items are stamped with markings.... I love the pattern and colours.

When I was a child and visiting the Town Moor Fair in Newcastle, my mum bought a full set of Crown Derby and we were on our way home. My parents kept telling me to be quiet. ‘Shhh!!’ The next thing the caravan overtook us, because it had jumped the ball, and flew into a ditch. This jug is the only thing that was left, the rest was sugar!