Question:
Hi, My father was born in Red Wing, MN (he was a avid Red Wing collector). Before he passed away, he told me he found this large plate in the dumpster at the Red Wing factory sometime in the late 40′s or 50′s. It measures 14"inches across. It’s signed on the back "EMC" in large brown letters. Can you tell me anything about it? Thank you Jim E.

Answer: Jim, you have a very desirable "Lunch Hour" piece, so named because workers often produced these personalized pieces during their lunch hour. This is a 14" chop plate (platter) from the Provincial line and the artwork combines elements from two different Provincial patterns. This line was introduced in 1941 and made into the early 1950s. The yellow and blue bands around the rim are from the Brittany pattern. The red rose is from the Orleans pattern, but this one is much larger than the usual Orleans rose. A standard Orleans plate has a relatively small rose in the center and is surrounded by leaves and other foliage. The artwork on a standard Brittany plate is similar to Orleans but features a yellow rose. The "EMC" letters on the back are most likely the initials of the artist, a common practice on lunch hour pieces. Most lunch hour pieces went home with the worker. Perhaps this one was left behind and forgotten by the artist, then eventually discarded to the dumpster. Your tale makes me wonder what other treasures your father may have found in that dumpster!

Lunch hour pieces are usually unique, one-of-a kind items and are eagerly sought by collectors. Your chop plate appears to be in very good condition, and of course condition has a great effect on value. It’s difficult to price a one of a kind piece like this, but signed lunch hour plates with unique artwork like yours have sold in recent years for $300 to $1000.

Larry