Vintage Vernon Kiln George Washington and Abe Lincoln Plate

Vintage Vernon Kiln George Washington and Abe Lincoln Plate

These two president plates are in near MINT condition and measure 10.25" in diameter. If you are looking for something to collect that you will never run out of different things then Vernon Kiln plates fit the bill. a little history: Depression-era economics and streamlined designs diminished America's collector plate market until Vernon Kilns opened on the edge of Los Angeles in 1931. The 1933 earthquake forced the firm to bring out new 'blanks' for dinnerware. The savvy firm quickly realized the potential their popular new shapes could have as collector plates with a simple change in the underglaze transfer design. From the Arkansas traveler plate of 1936 until the firms absorption by Metlox in 1958, hundreds of Vernon collectors' plate designs were made. A huge variety of attractions, celebrities, events and localities were commemorated, making them interesting to collect today. Designs often featured a strong central element, ie Seattle's Smith Tower, surrounded by related scenes, ie Mt. Rainier, the Floating Bridge and the University of Washington, to create an all over pattern. Most were maroon, blue or brown with a cream background; hand tinted color lines were added in 1953 at extra cost and these still cost more today. Regional themes dominated, as tourist shops and department stores ordered special lines for local attractions and events. Backstamps often describe the scene and credit the store which ordered ("Made for People's Department Store," "Designed for Frederic and Nelson," etc.) before adding the ubiquitous "Vernon Kilns USA" Since the firm didn't chronicle special orders, hundreds of varieties have been discovered by collectors. FDR and Douglas MacArthur, religious and fraternal groups, Boeing and Chief Seattle represent a few of the dozens of themes Vernon made. A special rarity is the mid-50s plate depicting the Vernon factories through the years, offered exclusively to the employees and VIPs touring the plant.

Item ID: ls002382

$50 USD

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