Lord Wedgwood of Barlaston, 40-year-old scion of the 400-year-old English pottery making firm, is visiting Queensland selling the world's most celebrated tea cups.
He has been curtseyed to, called 'mate' and 'Pom', "and one has even had one's pinky kissed in greeting," he smiled.
The amiable Piers Anthony Weymouth explains that strict etiquette requires a stranger to address a lord first as "My Lord", and then as the conversation goes on, "Sir."
"But I don't expect it and certainly don't demand it by any means. I like being called 'Mate', it shows a certain degree of acceptance."
Lord Wedgwood (family motto: 'I overcome all obstacles') is in Australia as the pottery firm's international spokesman, chatting in David Jones' stores to people with Wedgwood collections and who, hopefully, are there to add to them.
"I sign their purchases with a gold paint pen, and date it. Though all Wedgwood is fine to be put in the dishwasher, I warn them that to keep the signature they should cover it with varnish and maybe keep that piece out of the dishwashing machine."
He says Wedgwood sells more cups, saucers, plates and jugs to Australians on a per capita basis than anywhere else in the world - 'including England'.
His own favorite cup? "A classic shaped, bold tea cup with a good handle that a chap can put his finger through."
On the way to England - and maybe later to Australia - is a 952-piece Wedgwood service made for Russian Empress, Catherine the Great and kept in the Heritage Museum, St. Petersburg. "Each piece is hand painted with an English scene. It is absolutely priceless."
He admits he has broken the odd, delicate looking, 'but very strong and robust' cup when he has been demonstrating its strength. "From time to time one has a Rolls Royce lowered down on to the cup and if you don't lower the car correctly it can cause a problem."
