Noritake Antique Tea Set #1518 RARE blue roses c. 1918

  

NORITAKE #1518 (no pattern name). I have been researching the provenance of this set for two years (details below). Teapot Sugar Bowl Creamer 6 Teacups 5 Saucers 5 Salad Plates. There are no chips or cracks on any piece. It appears to have been displayed but never used.

But there are only five saucers and five salad plates. The FIRST FOUR PHOTOS were taken by me, the NEXT FOUR photos were taken by the lady I bought this set from.

I have packed this set away with enough bubble wrap to encircle the earth. I BASED MY PRICE ON. A the Replacements retail price list. B the rarity of these pieces. The pattern was introduced in 1918 (possibly as late as 1921) according to the backstamp, which I carefully researched. Com, there are NO photos on the internet of any pieces in this pattern. Actually, there is ONE other photo on the internet. There is one person on a Noritake FaceBook group who has been collecting for 30 years and has a set of this rare pattern in a beautiful green, instead of blue. They have never seen another piece of this set in blue or green.

There were two different styles of teapot and sugar bowl made (referenced in the last two photos) meaning it's possible, probable, that this set is one of a kind. The running theory is this set and at least two others were made as tests/protypes or custom made, didn't go into production and given to employees as rewards or incentives or gifts.

I would love to know. Has the most information (I called and spoke with a salesperson for a long time). This pattern has not been found to have a name in the history of Replacementscom, it was given the number N1518 for identification.

In 42 years, only six people (including me) have ever contacted them about this pattern and are on their contact list. They have never actually had a piece of this pattern in stock, nor bought a piece in the history of the company. Though they have basic pricing by request, IF they were to ever have a piece. They only have a few photos on their website, though I was told they have more photos in their system for identification, apparently provided by private collectors. I've searched for many, many hours.

I've Google searched every combination of the words: Noritake, blue, roses, ID number N1518, the year 1918, early 1920s, antique, vintage, tea set, rare, Nippon, everything I can think of. I even scoured the Noritake Gardens & Museum site in Japanese, which was difficult but none of their current galleries contain this set. I've done many Google reverse image searches with no luck. Robbin's Nest has an exhaustive list and I've looked at all of them individually (hundreds), even the mystery and unnamed patterns, no luck.

I have not paid an Appraisal or Identification resource for information. I pack breakables to excess.

The box will be able to survive a nuclear blast. I like bubble wrap and tape. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Kitchen & Home\Dinnerware & Serveware\Cups & Saucers". The seller is "siamesepatronus" and is located in this country: US.

This item can be shipped to United States.

• Country/Region of Manufacture: Japan
• Material: Bone China, Ceramic & Porcelain
• Pattern: Roses
• Type: Complete Tea Set
• Color: Blue
• Year Manufactured: 1918
• Set Includes: Complete Tea Set, Cup, Cup & Saucer Set, Lid, Saucer, Tea Cup & Saucer Set, Teapot
• Brand: Noritake