This small bon-bon or pin dish is a delight for collector's of North American painted porcelain. The blank was made by Royal Albert Crown China England in 1925-27 (old backstamp) and it was handpainted and signed 'E.G. VanDermade, Regina'. This amateur artist painted sprays of delicate pink wild roses on two facing corners, accented by deep pink rosebuds, yellow stamens and green leaves. The artist had a good eye and the effect is most pleasing. The dish is a scalloped square with fluted sides and a silver-blue lustre finish front and back. Excellent condition. Measures 4.5" (top, side-to-side); 5.5" (top, corner to corner); 2" (bottom).

THE 'EDITH': On July 1, 1902, Mr. George Percy (GP) Plaxton put the motorized launch named 'Edith' into active service on the Moose Jaw River. This boat was named after a lifelong friend of the family, Miss Edith Vandermade. By 1907, the Plaxton family business had grown to 7 motor launches, 20 row boats and 32 canoes. In 1915, the Plaxtons moved to Regina Beach where GP, wife Lottie, son Leonard and Miss Vandermade operated a flourishing boat business until the 1940s. I have seen a dinner service dating to the early 1900s by this same artist with 'Moose Jaw' after her signature. So this artist was active in both Moose Jaw and Regina at the same time as Edith Vandermade was living there. Hardly a coincidence! This little dish is a wonderful piece of Canadian history. (Ref: Plaxton's Lake, Wakamow Valley, Canada)

This is part of the MacMillan Collection, assembled in the past century by Norma and Marion MacMillan and their mother Hattie. Norma MacMillan was the beloved voice of Casper the Friendly Ghost. Norma's devoted husband, Thor Arngrim, spent his final years living at PAL Vancouver and a portion of sales will benefit this community.