The proud collector of 270 ceramic coffee cups

A Warwickshire man believes he has one of the world's largest collections of coffee cups, and is keen to have someone write a book about it.

John Putt, from Rugby, has amassed 270 ceramic coffee cups over the last 60 years - a collection which started after he became fascinated with the work of Clarice Cliff.

He attended a talk about the renowned ceramics artist from Stoke-on-Trent, who was known for her vibrant and colourful work.

"I was so impressed with the examples that the guy gave in the lecture, they were just wonderful... I thought: 'I’d love to collect her stuff,'" he said.

Mr Putt plans to give his collection to his daughter, but wants someone to write about it first.

"I’m not looking for money... I’d love a book," he laughed.

"It would make a lovely coffee table book, which is what we want."

"I don’t know if anyone else has collected coffee cups, I’ve not heard of any collections of any size anyway," he told the BBC.

"You only get the odd one in the museums."

Cups are smaller than mugs, and generally come with a saucer.

"Everyone these days, they want a mug of coffee or a big cup," he said.

"They started to lower the production of them [cups] and eventually faded out.

"You don’t buy coffee cups now."

Designs in his collection include floral, animals, and even a cup for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

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