Question:
I have a Lexington Rose platter and serving bowl. The platter measure 13 x 11. There are no chips but the back is crackled and the Red Wing logo is barely discernable. The bowl measures 8 x 8 and is about 2 1/2 inches deep. The logo is clear on the back in a black ink. Again there are no chips or cracks but some grayish discoloring along some of the rim and on the sides. What is th approximate value and year of production fro these pieces. Terry

Answer: The Lexington pattern was introduced in 1941 and made until 1955. Initially the platter was larger and more oblong in shape at 14 inches x 10.5 inches. The size changed in the mid to late 1940s to the more commonly found 13 x 10.5 inch size. The 8 x 8 bowl is called a nappy or vegetable bowl. It could have been made anytime from 1941 to 1955. The color of the artwork is a clue to the age — the colors used on early Lexington pieces are much lighter than later pieces. The red and green colors are significantly darker by 1950. I’d estimated the platter shown in the photo was produced in the early 1950s.

The platter is worth $20-25 and the nappy about $15-20. Both values assume excellent condition; the crackling and discoloration will reduce the value by 25 to 50% depending on the extent.

Larry