Question:
Sometimes, when looking for Red Wing Reed plates, I see a plate with the apparent same pattern and colors but the plate seems to flair downward as it radiates out, like a petal. I have attached a photo – but this is difficult to see in a picture. Nevertheless, the plates are obviously made from a different mold. Were the Reed pattern molds changed at some point? Thank you Vonda

Answer:
Since I didn’t have an answer I posed this question to Terry Moe, a long-time collector of Gypsy Trail dinnerware. Here is his response:

Vonda: The Reed molds were changed as you have noted. It is not clear when that occurred nor is it clear why it happened. The 7 ½" Covered Casseroles were offered with 8 ½” under plates and the 8 ½” Covered Casseroles were offered with 9 ½” under plates in the undated brochure which introduced Chevron (probably 1936). Some collectors believe that the plates that have the flat profile were designed to fit better under the Casseroles. Other collectors believe that the flat profile plates did not hold the food on the plate so customer complaints caused the Company to change to the upturned rim. Still other collectors believe that the profile was changed so the plates would stack better in the cupboard. As you can see, we really don’t know. I believe that the flat profile plates were introduced first and the change was made to better hold the food on the plate. My family used the Reed plates for our everyday dishes for a number of years and we prefer the upturned rim.