One of the most difficult to obtain, and most useful items for any tablemaster is a holloware catalogue of their favorite holloware pattern. Mr. Bowen owns a complete 1976-1978 Reed & Barton Holloware Catalogue. It includes sections for sterling, silver plate, and pewter. He obtained it from an online auction. Most vintage catalogues are owned by the professional second hand dealers. This was the type of individual that sold Mr. Bowen his catalogue.
What "catalogues" that are found for sale generally are sections of the total catalogue. The prices are fairly high as well for each section. The holloware catalogues that are readily available are reprints of catalogues in which the copyright has expired-early 20th century. The catalogues from the mid 20th century are perhaps the most desirable in the mind of Mr. Bowen as the 1950s were the 'heyday' for sterling with many manufacturers turning out product for a growing post war American middle class.
The great benefit of having such a catalogue is the long lost information for the collector. For example, in addition to sterling holloware, Mr. Bowen collects pewter holloware as well. Having the catalogue gives the collector the knowledge as to what is actually out there. For instance, one piece that Mr. Bowen was looking for was a reproduction Nantucket Chamberstick. Reed & Barton used to make them as late as the 1970s. Mr. Bowen has only seen one for sale on an online auction. He now owns it. Vintage pewter from the 1970s is increasingly getting more difficult to obtain since so many pieces were easily damaged and were consequently discarded.
What is also interesting is to see the original prices the various items sold for. When inflation is taken into account, you realize how expensive these items were at the time. That goes for sterling as well as pewter. It helps one to realize what relative bargains they are now in the secondary market.
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