Vintage plates have such a rich history..........

This lovely plate comes from Harker Pottery Co. circa 1940s-1950s.

The shape of the ware, called Royal Gadroon, has a raised pie-crust edge. 

Benjamin Harker, Sr. immigrated from England and settled on some land in the Ohio Valley near East Liverpool, Ohio to become a farmer. But the clay in the hills above the farm became a major source of his income. Finally in 1840, he decided that he could make more money by selling finished pottery than the clay and so he built himself a kiln and a small workshop on the river just north of the village. He hired a potter to teach the trade to his sons. And so began the oldest continually run pottery in the United States and the founding of an industry that exists to this day. 

For 131 years Harker Pottery produced everything from dinnerware to bathroom fixtures. After fighting years of flooding on the western bank of the river (left, postcard of Ohio River showing East Liverpool with Harker Pottery), Harker moved across the river to the east bank in Chester, WVa. (right). It shipped dinnerware across the nation. In the 40's and 50's, you could get your Harkerware as premiums at stores and in theaters. 

This is just one of the many lovely plates I have in my vintage shop.

No matter where I might be...........if I see an old plate for sale.........

I have to grab it up to place in my shop.

How about you?

Do you have a favorite plate or china design?

I would love to hear!