This scalloped-edge plate with floral clusters has a mark, “G.D.A. France.”

Painted china plates made their first documented appearance in 9th century China (hence the name) and eventually became a desirable European trade item. By the 18th century, Europeans had learned the secret of creating porcelain and began turning out their own decorated china plates, many of which had the look of oil paintings. During the reign of Queen Victoria, plate painting became a “parlor craft” for ladies of the upper classes.

However, during the heyday of the painted plate (18801920), manufacturers, both in

YORK

08/14-20/23, BOUCKVILLE, MON.-SUN., 8AM-5PM, Antiques & Collectibles Show, 13 Show Fields Along Rte. 20, Bouckville, NY 08/10-13/23, ATLANTA, THURS.-SUN., Antique Market, 3650 Jonesboro Rd. SE, Atlanta Expo Center, North Bldg.

07/06-09/23, ATLANTA, THURS.-SUN., Antique Market, 3650 Jonesboro Rd. SE, Atlanta Expo Center, North Bldg.

04/08/23 TO 12/31/23, BERWYN, EVERYSAT. & SUN, 9-4, Indoor/Outdoor Vintage Flea Market - Now Open Year Round!, 270 W. Swedesford Rd, Berwyn, PA 09/07-10/23, ATLANTA, THURS.-SUN., Antique Market, 3650 Jonesboro Rd. SE, Atlanta Expo Center, North Bldg.

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“Eagle Point, Osceola, Wis.,” and the mark, “Made in Germany for Osceola Mercantile Co. by Weelock Weimar,” is on reverse.

and Grondahl’s “Behind the Frozen Window” was released in 1895. B & G’s familiar blueand-whites have continued to celebrate the season into the present. Among other familiar names eventually joining the porcelain plate parade: Royal Copenhagen, Wedgwood, Royal Doulton, Hummel, and those magazine favorites, the Bradford Exchange, Danbury Mint and Franklin (Mint) Porcelain. Collectible china plates were also issued on a much smaller scale to recognize various localities, or to promote local businesses.

But back to the main question: “What to do with them?”

First, a hard fact to face: if you

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07/22/23, GETTYSBURG,

OUTDOOR MKT.: SAT. 8-2 (STORE/WRHSE. SALE: 9-5), Antq. & Vtg. Outdoor Mkt., Store & Warehse. Sale, 2885 York Rd., Gettysburg, PA

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The scalloped-edge plate of pansies is marked, “Handpainted, Vienna.” grocery store checkout counter, usually with the enthusiastic header, “edition extremely limited!” Want to celebrate beloved artists, such as Terry Redlin? To learn all about “Birds of the World?” To relive scenes from “The Sound of Music”? Modern collectible china plates cover themes like these, and lots more. If you like them and want to assemble a collection, great! However, if they’re part of the “stuff” you’re trying to get rid of, options are limited. It is too bad, because collectible china the United States and abroad, employed a multitude of less financially fortunate, yet remarkably skilled women to paint plates. These early collectibles often focused on nature-based themes, such as flowers or scenic landmarks, tasteful enough for inclusion in a turn-of-the-20th-century home. As demand grew, the

“Sight Seeing,” reads a 1913 calendar plate, marked “Perm. C’p’r’t, (permanent copyright) Moffat, Yard & Co., NY, 1908.” resell the plates, you will never get back their original purchase price (After all, that “limited edition” may have been “limited” to a million). A quick check of eBay’s “sold” listings indicates the majority of mass-market collector plates issued since the 1980s sell for well under $10 each.

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08/26/23, GETTYSBURG, OUTDOOR MKT.: SAT. 8-2 (STORE/WRHSE. SALE: 9-5), Outdoor Antique Market, 2885 York Rd., Gettysburg, PA artists moved from freehand painting to stencils, speeding up production and ensuring uniformity of design. Later developments, such as transfer printing, screen printing, and lithography, made mass production possible but eventually replaced individual paintwork. Intended for display, plate diameters ranged from 8 to 10 inches.

Nature-themed plates from the early 20th century fare better, as do plates which appeal to specific interest groups (there always seems to be a “Star Wars” fan in need of another “Star Wars” collectible). Even these, however, rarely top $100.

From the early 1900s is a blue handled plate with artist signature, “May Leahy,” on reverse.

The first plate regarded as a true “modern” collectible focused on a theme still popular today: Christmas. Bing

If maximum sales prep for minimal rewards has no appeal, donating to a charitable resale source is always a worthwhile option. But before