Q: I have a Shelley cup with a large combined saucer/plate, dated 1966. Can you tell me anything about Shelley, is there a book on the firm, and what other Shelley items should 1 collect?

Mr G

A: Shelley started in the 1870s and were taken over by the Royal Doulton group in 1971. The item you describe, known as a tennis set, is worth £30-£40. The best book on Shelley is Collecting Shelley Pottery by Robert Prescott-Walker, published by Francis Joseph at £16.95. It is a good introduction to the brand, contains scores of colour pictures of the products, and also gives a price guide. Any Shelley pottery is worth collecting, though the most in-demand items are those from the 1930s, reflecting the Art Deco styling of the period.