Family Money: Funding Your Future

By Leslie Wright

Each month, all of us manage to pay the house rent or mortgage payment - otherwise we’d soon have no roof over our heads.

Similarly, each month we manage to pay the electric bill and phone bill - otherwise we’d have no light or means of immediate communication.

We’re all very conscious of the immediate bills that must be paid if we’re going to continue our current lifestyles.

But how many of us stop to think what will happen after we stop working? How are we going to pay the bills then?

For many people retirement is too far into the future to worry about. Life is for living here and now, and the future will take care of itself. But will it?

The Freedom of Choice

The word ‘retirement’ means different things to different people. For most people it means being able to do what you want, when you want, where you want. To me also it means having the freedom to choose where to live and what to do with my time - as opposed to having to work each day just to eat and pay the bills.

But the nagging question is will I have enough money saved up to retire when and where I want? Will you?

State Pensions are in trouble

People are living longer nowadays. When the British Government first introduced the State Old Age Pension Scheme, giving an income to men over 65 and women over 60, the actuaries told them that the average life expectancy of working men in U.K. was 66.

In other words, the government expected to collect contributions for about 40 years and pay out the State Pension for only one year on average after working men retired.

Now the actuaries tell us that the average life expectancy of a British male at birth has risen to 76, and is still rising.

This means that after the school-leaving age was raised some 40 years ago, the State has been collecting contributions for a shorter period, and with rising life expectancy is now having to pay out the OAP for 10 years more than it originally envisaged. In fact, even after discounting inflation, this is more than 10 times the amount that was originally envisaged, and this it is finding increasingly difficult to afford.

In addition, as the average age of the population in most developed countries is getting older, more people are retiring than are being replaced in the working population.

Thus fewer contributors into State Pension schemes are funding more retirees, and for longer.

This can’t go on indefinitely: the pot is rapidly becoming drained.

Moving the Goalposts

By the time the Baby Boomer generation comes to retirement age, there will almost certainly be insufficient coming in from the working population to fund current State Pension schemes at their present level.

This is already the situation in several European countries.

The U.K. government, as one way of addressing this problem, has been talking about raising the retirement age to 70.

Their rationale for this is that people want to continue working past the ‘traditional’ retirement age. This is a fatuous argument, and not supported by the number of people who have been looking forward for decades to their Golden Years of Retirement starting at age 65.

But the government’s argument sounds much better than: “You have to keep working so we won’t have to pay out so much, because we’re running out of money.”

The State Pension systems in most other developed countries are facing similar problems. In some countries - New Zealand for example - a means test has been introduced whereby if an individual’s private income or savings exceeds a quite modest figure, their State Pension is taxed at up to 100%. Australia is considering introducing similar legislation, as are several European countries

Thus the retiree - who has contributed into the State Scheme all his working life - may receive no benefits from it at all.

They are in fact going to be penalised for being prudent savers and making private arrangements apart from the State system.

Making your own arrangements

Many of us who have chosen to live overseas may receive no benefits from our home countries’ State Pension Schemes anyway - we’re out of the loop.

Others who are entitled to the State Pension have found that they are not entitled to indexed increases, as these do not apply to overseas residents.

Thus we’re left to fend for ourselves. We have to have made our own pension arrangements. But how many of us have made independent arrangements to fund our retirement years?

Many people I meet have taken out some form of retirement savings plan. They have made their own arrangements. Or so they think.

Quite often, however, they have not stopped to consider whether these arrangements will be adequate. Will they have enough income to live comfortably throughout their Golden Years of retirement?

Those who started private pension schemes before leaving the UK find they are disallowed from continuing to contribute into these now they have moved overseas.

Those who have some sort of offshore savings plan have rarely thought through the number crunching to determine if their plans are adequate to fund their expected retirement expenditure.

Failing to do the sums means their plans may well be insufficient to provide them with a realistic pension after retirement.

The cost of inflation

We’re currently enjoying a period of relatively low inflation. But people’s memories are short. It may come as a surprise to many readers to note that inflation in the UK for the past 25 years has averaged 8.1%. Many will have forgotten the dark days of 1977-78 when inflation was running at over 27%.

If inflation were to average just 7% a year, the cost of living would double about every 10 years. So in 20 years it could cost you roughly four times as much to maintain your current lifestyle as it does now.

One person who recently came to see me, aged 43, told me that he’d been thinking that he’d better do something about building up a retirement fund before it’s too late. Sensible chap!

He reckons he will need about ฃ1,000 a month to maintain his current lifestyle, and plans to retire when he’s 60.

So he has a 16-year window of opportunity to build sufficient capital to last him perhaps at least another 18 years.

With a reasonable expectation of growth of a cost-effective private pension plan - 10% a year is the offshore industry ‘standard’ - he would have to put aside only ฃ230 a month from now until retirement to provide an income of ฃ1,000 a month from age 60 until age 78.

Wonderful news! But one factor which most individuals - and all too many financial advisers - forget about when doing these projections is the cost of inflation.

If inflation were to remain low, let’s say at 4% p.a. for the next 35 years (his window of opportunity plus period of draw down), he would have to contribute ฃ555 into the same retirement plan to offset the erosionary effects of inflation.

But if inflation rose again to the average it has been over the past 25 years in UK and about the same as it has been in Thailand over the same period - 8.1% p.a. - this client would have to set aside ฃ1,405 a month to fund his retirement adequately.

This figure is way beyond my client’s affordable savings capacity. But the figures won’t go away. Either he makes some sacrifices now to ensure he has built up enough capital to fund his retirement, or he won’t be able to afford to retire when he planned to, or he’ll run out of capital before he dies.

It may come as a nasty shock to consider that if inflation averaged 8.1% p.a. throughout the intervening years ฃ1,000 in today’s money would be ฃ3,758 in 2018, and ฃ14,127 in 2035.

To overcome potential inflation at this level, our prospective retiree would require a retirement fund of ฃ670,400 at age 60, to finance a total draw down of ฃ1,706,000 through the remaining 18 years of his life. Quite daunting figures!

It is worth noting that even with these frightening figures, he would have contributed only ฃ286,600 into his retirement fund, so the return he can expect from it is very handsome indeed.

But even if inflation remains low - say averaging around 4% p.a. - ฃ1,000 in today’s money will be ฃ1,948 in 2018 and ฃ3,794 in 2035.

Some readers may take exception to these figures - but it would be na๏ve and potentially dangerous to your family’s collective pocket to assume that inflation will remain at only around 2% for the next 35 years. In Thailand it’s not that low even now, when you consider the real cost of living an expatriate lifestyle here.

What was the average wage 25 years ago, and what is the average wage now? The cost of living has roughly matched these figures.

Forward thinking

Most people’s working life lasts 35-40 years. Most people will live another 15-20 years after they stop working, if not considerably longer.

Putting aside even 10% of your income throughout your working life may not be sufficient to fund your retirement years after taking the effects of inflation into account.

And how many of us will have put aside 10% of our income regularly throughout our working lives to fund our retirement?

Inflation will erode your savings, and what 20 years ago may have seemed enough to retire on may in fact turn out to be woefully short of your requirements when the time comes.

What can you do about it?

Professional help

Well, the first step is to have an objective professional appraisal of your current arrangements and future plans. Discuss with your financial advisor (if you have one) what you’d realistically need to live on, and whether you will have enough put aside when the time comes.

If not, you have the freedom of choice to do something about it, which your financial advisor will be able to help you with. Nowadays there are various excellent offshore savings plans on the market, designed to fit every lifestyle and budget. It’s simply a matter of identifying the one that’s right for you.

Paying the bill for a comfortable retirement should be thought of just like the rent or the electric bill. If you don’t pay it in full and on time every month, your lifestyle will be drastically affected.

Leslie Wright is managing director of Westminster Portfolio Services (Thailand) Ltd., a firm of independent financial advisors providing advice to expatriate residents of the Eastern Seaboard on personal financial planning and international investments. If you have any comments or queries on this article, or about other topics concerning investment matters, contact Leslie directly by fax on (038) 232522 or e-mail [email protected] Further details and back articles can be accessed on his firm’s website on www.westminsterthailand.com

Editor’s note: Leslie sometimes receives e-mails to which he is unable to respond due to the sender’s automatic return address being incorrect. If you have sent him an e-mail to which you have not received a reply, this may be why. To ensure his prompt response to your enquiry, please include your complete return e-mail address, or a contact phone/fax number.

by Mirin MacCarthy

Loneliness and Community

On this over-crowded planet called Earth, some might argue that living shoulder to shoulder with billions of people, the subject of loneliness is hardly a point of discussion. However, it is possible to feel personally isolated even in a noisy city and a bustling crowd. Is modern society creating conditions which increase loneliness? To create a fulfilling life and a healthy psychological atmosphere for the human condition in our increasingly hectic world, we must recognise basic requirements of the individual, the needs people have for a sense of community, and maintain structure and meaning in our lives. There is a harassed, knife-edged quality to daily life today.

Community offsets loneliness. It gives people a vitally necessary sense of belonging. But community demands more than simply emotionally satisfying bonds between individuals. It also requires strong ties of loyalty between individuals and their organisations and institutions. In traditional societies which are still lacking the economic means to introduce the high-tech lifestyle so prevalent in the richer countries, family ties, and institutions such as churches, temples and mosques, government leaders, and the village neighbourhood, still retain the respect of the people. In the advanced democracies, cracks have been appearing in these institutions for decades. These societies hunger for institutions worthy of their respect, affection and loyalty. The corporation workplace does not even offer that anymore.

The phenomenon of globalization now makes it possible to introduce many of the benefits of a more affluent lifestyle to far-flung regions of the world in a matter of years, which before may have taken decades or even centuries to appear. As borders blur and mobility increases, our sense of belonging to a particular group may recede.

We in Thailand need look no further than the development and modernisation of our own capital city. Elderly Bangkokians remember when the now exclusive section of Sukhumvit Road was little more than a wilderness of empty fields and tiny rice plots. Most Bangkokians learned to swim in the canals which made Krung Thep the ‘Venice of the East’. In those days the water was clear enough for children to net fish from the banks of the klongs. Families lived in neighbourhoods where everyone knew each other, and for some, their neighbourhood was their whole world. Now their children and grandchildren get turned around and completely lost on their way to school or work. Parents confess that often their children are too busy with their own lives to even call them.

Loneliness is even a factor in the economy. Lonely upper class housewives are driven to distraction by the clanging emptiness of their suburban homes. They have re-entered the work force to preserve their sanity. Pets (and car loads of pet food) are acquired to break the silence of an empty home. Loneliness supports most of our travel, tourist and entertainment industry. It creates a lucrative ‘lonely hearts’ sector of business, be it a single’s bar or a high-tech computer match-up enterprise.

Pattaya is a multi-faceted city; a good example of a town which is seeing a rising level of social diversity. This is now the character of many cities around the world. In one way, by de-massifying society, and accentuating our differences, we help people individualise themselves. The more individualised people are, the choosier they become when searching for human contact, a mate or a lover. Lasting friendships become harder to make since we are now looking for more precisely matching interests. The result may be seriously mismatched relationships, or shallow relationships at best.

The break-up of mass society, therefore, while holding out the promise of greater personal fulfilment, is, at least for some, spreading the pain of isolation. Therefore we must recognise that loneliness is no longer an individual matter, but a common one. Once we recognise that loneliness is no longer just a personal matter, but a public concern, there are plenty of things we can do about it. We can begin where community usually begins, in the family, the neighbourhood, and the city in which we live.

There are no right answers to some of these problems. New services and ideas, both traditional and innovative, can help bring people back together.

by Lesley Warner

by Marion

Shinto is the oldest known Japanese religion, yet it has no founder, no sacred scriptures like the Sutras or the Bible, and no single deity to be worshipped and revered. It is very difficult to translate ‘Shinto’ into English. ‘Shinto’ means ‘The way of the Gods’ or the ‘God-like way’ or ‘The way from the Gods’, but Shinto is an all-pervading, indefinable way, which for the Japanese is quite universal.

Shinto Archway

It “began” around 500 BC as a loosely connected mix of nature worship, fertility cults, divination techniques and shamanism. Basically it could be described as reflecting the innate nature of the Japanese people themselves, and it is said that to understand Shinto you understand Japan.

Shinto creation stories tell of the history and lives of the gods called “Kami.” Among them was a divine couple, Izanagi-no-mikoto and Izanami-no-mikoto, who gave birth to the Japanese islands. Their children became the deities of the various Japanese clans and Amaterasu (the Sun Goddess) was one of their daughters. Her descendants became the Imperial Family and unified the country around the 6th century AD. This remained so until 1945 with the surrender of Japan, part of which required the Imperial Emperor to renounce his divinity. The significance of that should not be underestimated.

The Kami are the objects of worship in Shinto and can take various forms such as natural elements like the sun, mountains, trees, rocks, and the wind, or abstract concepts like fertility, but also ancestors, national heroes and protectors of family clans. They are seen as benign; they sustain and protect. There are no concepts which compare to the Christian beliefs in the wrath of God, His omnipotence and omni-presence, or the separation of God from humanity due to sin.

Shinto has 10 Precepts, which like most religious rules or commandments are a basis for “good” living and societal strength.

i) Do not transgress the will of the gods.

ii) Do not forget your obligations to ancestors.

iii) Do not offend by violating the decrees of the State.

iv) Do not forget the profound goodness of the gods, through which calamity and misfortunes are averted and sickness is healed.

v) Do not forget that the world is one great family.

vi) Do not forget the limitations of your own person.

vii) Do not become angry even though others become angry.

viii) Do not be sluggish in your work.

ix) Do not bring blame to the teaching.

x) Do not be carried away by foreign teachings.

There are also four “Affirmations” in Shinto:

1. Tradition and the family: The family is seen as the main mechanism by which traditions are preserved. Their main celebrations relate to birth and marriage.

2. Love of nature: Nature is sacred; to be in contact with nature is to be close to the Gods. Natural objects are worshipped as sacred spirits.

3. Physical cleanliness: They take baths, wash their hands, and rinse out their mouth often.

4. “Matsuri”: To worship and honour gods and ancestral spirits.

Most Japanese citizens follow two religions: both Shinto and Buddhism, which first arrived in Japan from Korea and China during the 8th century AD. The two religions share a basic optimism about human nature, and for the world. Within Shinto, the Buddha was viewed as another “Kami” (nature deity), while Buddhism in Japan regarded the Kami as being manifestations of various Buddha-like persons and Bodhisattvas.

These days, the Japanese people seek support from Shinto and visit shrines in order to pray for good fortune and to avoid evil spirits, especially before special events such as the opening of a business, school entrance exams, and other endeavours, where a little help from anywhere is appreciated. Like many religions, several kinds of talisman can be purchased at many shrines, of course, called an “offering.” In Japan, the majority of wedding ceremonies are held in Shinto style. Interestingly, Death is considered evil in Shinto, and most tasks concerning it, especially funerals, are done according to Buddhist rituals. Never let it be said that Shinto has lost its own practicality!

There are also several Shinto Sayings, all of which are designed to keep the followers of the religion thinking along the “correct” paths. Consider these Shinto Sayings:

a) A single sincere prayer moves heaven. You will surely realise the divine presence through sincere prayer.

b) Where you have sincerity, there also is virtue. Sincerity is a witness to truth. Sincerity is the mother of knowledge. Sincerity is a single virtue that binds Divinity and man in one.

c) Retribution for good or ill is as sure as the shadow after substance.

d) To do good is to be pure. To commit evil is to be impure.

e) To admit a fault is the beginning of righteousness.

f) The first and surest means to enter into communion with the Divine is sincerity. If you pray to a deity with sincerity, you will surely feel the divine presence.

With a certain simplicity which comes from its humble and common-thought origins, Shinto has survived into the 21st Century, and has every chance of continuing for another 21.

by Anchalee Kaewmanee

There is probably no one else in a social sphere who has the forcefulness, drama, and extroverted nature as the Taurus-Leo. The individual natives in this combination often feel that others are certainly fortunate to be in the presence of such charm. A little conceit goes with the territory. These people need an audience of admirers who are willing to applaud their every step. In return they provide immense joy and entertainment for their entourage. A tiny bit arrogant, sometimes pretty far out, very optimistic and enthusiastic, these people are certainly never dull. All that buoyant and outgoing spirit can cheer the darkest heart, and despite an outrageous ego, there is genuine concern for those less fortunate than themselves.

Natives of this combination gain the respect of others simply because they respect themselves. They don’t have problems with self-confidence, and like most people who value and believe in themselves, this Sun-Moon sign reaches out and helps those who don’t have such strength. They really are their own guiding lights. Possessing great vitality and assurance, they don’t need to rely on outside encouragement to succeed at chosen professions or to fulfil themselves.

Likes and dislikes with the Taurus-Leo people are usually based upon reaction, but their hunches often prove very accurate. It is true that once they have formed an opinion or impression, it sticks. Stubborn and inflexible, yes. It can take dynamite to prove them wrong once they have made up their minds about something. So they often run the risk of becoming dogmatic and overly rigid in their thinking process. This group of people should consider keeping an open mind and really work at it. Letting bias rule one’s actions or protecting entrenched attitudes can seriously blind good judgement. A little dose of old fashioned humility is recommended. Listening to what others have to say can provide a rich learning experience.

Both signs in this combination are fixed signs. This provides tremendous determination and resolve to follow through once goals have been set. On the negative side, it can also be very difficult for natives of this combination to accept compromise. Let’s face it, they want things their own way. When those around them disagree, the Taurus-Leo gets angry and frustrated. That independent streak is admirable in some areas, but here it can thwart co-operation.

There is wonderful potential found in natives born into this combo. But to realise it, they must first make a big effort to learn to work in harmony with those around them.

Just as practical as fellow Taureans, the Taurus-Leo is also a terrific showman. Just taking out the garbage can become an award winning performance. We can spot these people just by their dress, actions and behaviour. Everything is calculated to bring attention to themselves. However generous and compassionate (and they are), this group never quite gets over that feeling of superiority. Yet they are well loved, and befriended to by all. It would be good if they would guard against that tendency to go to extremes in thought and action, mostly for their own well-being. The public will still adore them, even if they occasionally decide to share the spotlight with someone else.

The Taurus-Leo harbours secret ambitions to be on the stage. Practical considerations may hold them back from pursuing such an uncertain profession. Security is vitally important to this sign, and unless all other factors in a horoscope chart indicate artistic talent, these individuals will probably be drawn to a more stable livelihood.

As they are so independent, going into business for themselves could be a good solution. That knack for original style and ideas, coupled with true leadership qualities and fine organisational ability will find a business situation rather appealing. Mathematics and technical work come easy to this Sun-Moon sign. Very sensual and fun-loving in intimate partnerships, this combo needs emotional stability and plenty of it. In love, there is a tendency to be domineering and possessive, and soak up oceans of flattery. A mate who appreciates this sign and shows it will make a happy choice.

by Richard Brunch

From Gunnar Mikkelsen: I have a PC with windows ME. The problem is that quite often when I’m on the Internet, an advert comes up filling the whole screen without access to any button to close the ad. The only way to continue is to shut down the computer, and restart the unit. Is there another method?

Computer Doctor replies: These can be an annoyance and although there are some malicious versions around that actually modify the Registry, mostly they are benign. Normally, you should not need to close and restart the PC, as there are several methods you can try first. Pressing the ESC key or one of the ‘F’ keys can work. If none of these help, then you can try to close Internet Explorer from the Taskbar. Should the Taskbar not be visible, with the Alt key pressed, repeatedly press the Tab key until Internet Explorer is the active window, you should then be able to close it. As a final resort, before doing a shutdown and restart, press Ctrl + Alt and Delete, from the list displayed look for Internet Explorer and with it selected, press the End Task button.

From Mike Travis, Bangkok: I have an aging notebook PC and an equally old desktop, both of which are not capable of running the applications I now require with acceptable performance. Budget constraints dictate that I can only purchase one replacement; I am prepared to spend around 100,000 baht, though I am unsure whether to buy a new notebook or desktop. I do sometimes travel away and find the notebook useful but if I really had to, I guess I could live without it. Any advice to help my decision making process would be appreciated.

Computer Doctor replies: From the tone of your letter I suspect that you are already leaning towards a notebook. I think one of the major issues at the outset is the difference in cost, baht for baht; you will get a lot more desktop for your money than in a comparatively specified notebook. Higher end notebooks now are well specified with Pentium III processors of 850MHz up and normally 128Mb of RAM, although I recommend you consider increasing this, particularly if you are going to have Windows 2000 as your operating system. Hard disks tend to be at least 10 GB and this is the minimum size you should accept. Options normally include, CD ROM, DVD, CDR-W and Floppy. Screen size and type also varies but in a ‘home’ mode you could consider attaching an external monitor and possibly keyboard and mouse. If you intend to attach an external monitor check what resolution the video card is capable of and ensure it is adequate for your requirements. Make sure that you get at least 1 USB port and 2 if possible. Very often an internal modem is included and sometimes LAN for connecting to a network, which can be useful if you connect to a business centre in a hotel. Also, if you eventually purchase a desktop using a LAN is by far the simplest way to synchronize data between the two. If you are intending to travel, then you should also consider how slim it is and the weight. When looking at these, though, bear in mind that it needs to be fairly solid to take the ‘movement’. As a guide you will probably need to spend upwards of 80,000 baht and with CDR-W etc. probably around 110,000 baht.

Send your questions or comments to the Pattaya Mail at 370/7-8 Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, 20260 or fax to 038 427 596 or e-mail to [email protected] The views and comments expressed within this column are not necessarily those of the writer or Pattaya Mail Publishing.

Richard Bunch is managing director of Action Computer Technologies Co., Ltd. providing professional services which include custom database and application development, website design, promotion and hosting, computer and peripheral sales service and repairs, pro audio solutions, networks (LAN & WAN) and IT consulting. For further information, please telephone 01 782 4829, fax 038 716 816, e-mail: [email protected] or see our website www.act.co.th

by Duncan Stearn

The period between 1827 and 1842 saw Thailand engaged in actions against local opponents such Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam as well as putting down revolts in a couple of Malay vassal states.

On March 20, 1833 envoy Edmund Roberts signed a treaty of commerce between the United States and Thailand, the first between a Southeast Asian country and America.

In 1843 the balance of power in the region changed marginally, but with devastating consequences in future years, when the French government decided to deploy a permanent naval force in Asian waters, ostensibly to protect French commerce and missionaries, especially those evangelising in Vietnam.

In March 1850 Joseph Balestier, an envoy from the United States, arrived in Bangkok to discuss the issue of trade and diplomatic treaties with Thailand. However, after a few weeks of fruitless discussions the envoy returned to the US empty-handed.

A similar trade and diplomatic mission from Britain, headed by the Raja of Sarawak, Sir James Brooke, met with Thai officials in August that same year but also left without obtaining the concessions they were seeking.

In April 1851, 47-year-old Prince Mongkut became King of Thailand. He was the first monarch who could read, write and speak almost flawless English and he recognised the voracious imperial appetites of both France and Britain.

The Second Anglo-Burmese War broke out in April 1852 and by the end of the year the British had edged their Empire even closer to the borders of Thailand by annexing Pegu Province (lower Burma).

Hoping to counteract Thai and Vietnamese interference in Cambodian affairs, King Duang of Cambodia sent a letter to Emperor Napoleon III of France seeking French protection. The noose was beginning to slowly but surely tighten.

In 1855 the British envoy John Bowring successfully re-negotiated the 1826 Burney treaty of commerce with Thailand. Britain gained greater economic access in exchange for guaranteeing Thailand’s independence. A British envoy was sent to reside in Bangkok.

Between 1856 and 1862 the French set about the invasion and subjugation of southern Vietnam while in August 1863 King Norodom of Cambodia signed a secret treaty of co-operation with France.

Although a vassal state of Thailand, the treaty gave control of foreign policy to France in return for French protection. However, when the Thais found out the details of the agreement, King Norodom once again swore allegiance to Thailand.

Early in 1864 the French government in Paris ratified the treaty with Cambodia and the French began to take greater control of Cambodia’s internal affairs in conjunction with Thailand.

This led to the signing of a Franco-Thai treaty in 1867 whereby Thailand agreed to recognise French protection of Cambodia (read occupation) in return for Thai sovereignty over the provinces of Battambang and Siem Reap.

by C. Schloemer

Good points: fine nose, good temperament, strong and hardy, eager and alert

Take heed: this breed is a working hound and needs plenty of room and open spaces

The Black and Tan Coonhound is a fast, hardy and very strong working hound, which like the Bloodhound, does not kill its prey while hunting. It is also similar to the Bloodhound in appearance, but does not have the loose, wrinkled skin, for which the Bloodhound is renown.

Size: Height at the shoulder - dog 63.5-68 cm, bitch 58.5-63 cm

Exercise: This is a working breed and needs plenty of vigorous exercise daily. This dog needs lots of room. A life in the country will keep him in his element. Owners who cannot provide this breed with ample space and room for free runs should choose a more appropriate breed for their lifestyle and living accommodations.

Grooming: Daily grooming with a hound glove is recommended. The hound’s coat is easy to care for. Those long ears need frequent inspection.

Origin and History: The Black and Tan Coonhound is essentially an American breed. It is a close relation to the Bloodhound, being identical in size and very often in color as well. It traces back from the Talbot Hound to the Bloodhound, and the Virginia Foxhound. The Black and Tan is one of six types of Coonhound recognized in America. This breed is used for hunting opossum and raccoon. It is a working hound and not often seen in the show ring.

by Apichart Panyadee

The alteration to or imitation of older styles was not limited to the 19th century. As early as 1810 the large manufacturing silversmiths of Garrads and Rundell, Bridge and Rundell were reproducing late 17th century Baroque style and mid-18th century Rococo pieces. For example, a pair of ornate jugs may have been altered into the ‘antique’ style which was so sought after in the early 19th century, by using the bodies from a Queen Anne ale jug, c. 1700, and casting the spouts and handles at a later date.

Small baluster caster converts to a more useful pitcher cream jug by the addition of a handle and spout

Chased decoration showing mythological battle scenes give a more authentic appearance to the dilettante; however, the original piece would have been very plain.

Punch bowl ladles were also ripe for conversion. These items often had feet added to them and converted to a cream boat. To the double lipped variety of punch bowl, two handles and four feet were added.

Pap boats are also subjected to this alteration. Small baluster castes were often converted to more useful pitcher cream jugs by the addition of handles and spouts. Occasionally they are difficult to spot. But more often, the poor craftsmanship, discoloration of the skin, or heat marks where the additions have been soldered should point to a conversion.

Teapots, Stands and Kettles

Teapots were rarely converted to other objects but were often modernised by adding decoration, a new spout, finials and handle. These can usually be spotted by following the analytical method.

Originally very plain, these Queen Anne wares had chasseing added in Cornelius Farrell’s workshop in 1822

Teapot stands, which were common in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, have been used to manufacture “antique” teapots. Nearly all the stands are hallmarked in a straight line and not at the points of the compass as on the base of a teapot. Teapot lids should be hallmarked, and if these marks are missing or differ from the base mark, then warning bells should sound. Small bullet teapots of the first half of the 18th century also need careful examination, as it is now known that some were made up by unscrupulous use of the silver and marks from a mug or a tankard.

Tea kettles, like teapots, were often updated, but are not commonly faked. Always make sure that all separate parts are correctly marked, and there should be little chance of being fooled. On one type of fake, however, the marks from an 18th century tankard base have been let into the base of the kettle while the tankard lid is used to make a burner, which is fixed to the tripod stand. The test here is to look carefully for any distortion of the hallmark on the stand. The burner, which is small compared with a tankard lid, is the place where the marks will be most obviously distorted if it is a fake.

Tea/coffee or hot water urns are sometimes found made from a cup and cover by adding a tap. Alternatively, urns are occasionally found converted to cups by the removal of taps.

Wine funnels have been subjected to various alterations. Most common is calling the bowl of the funnel a tea strainer. By clocking the perforations in the bowl, it can become a small sugar basin or salt cellar. The replacement of the spout by a pedestal foot can make a goblet. If the foot is not made so tall, and a spout and handle are added, a milk jug can be made. It is highly unlikely that these adaptations would be made now that wine funnels are fairly rare and can bring high prices at auctions.

Updated every Friday
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