Question:
We were given, as a wedding gift in 1966, a Lexington (Rose) serving plate. I used it whenever I made blueberry upside-down cake (in a 10 1/2 inch cast iron skillet) because it was large enough that the juices did not run off the edge. It was NOT the oval chop plate nor was it the 11 inch dinner plate (cake would have spread over the edges). Unfortunately, a friend dropped and broke it quite some time ago. Now, when I tell other Redwingers that I am looking for a Lexington (Rose) square/round plate larger than 11 inches, they tell me such a piece does not exist. Are they right and my memory is really that bad? Or is that elusive piece still out there somewhere? If it is, I’m offering a blueberry upside-down cake as a reward for finding me one. Thanks Char

Answer:
Char, unless you had a rare one-of-a-kind piece I don’t think the platter you describe was Lexington. Could you be confusing Lexington with one of the other Red Wing patterns that feature a red rose? Lexington was introduced in 1941 and continued production until 1956. Unless you received a used item, it’s doubtful any new Lexington platters were available to serve as a wedding gift in 1966. On the other hand, unlike other Concord patterns Lexington platters were made in two sizes. The initial 1941 platter was 10.5 x 14 inches — more oblong than oval in shape. It was replaced by the more commonly found 10.5 x 13 inch chop plate in the mid-1940s. But even this hard-to-find larger platter wouldn’t meet your needs since it is only 10.5 inches wide in one direction.

As for other rose patterns, Blossom Time is also in the Concord shape but was never made in the larger 10.5 x 14 platter and was also discontinued in the mid-1950s. Red Wing Rose was introduced in the later 1950s and was discontinued after only a few years, but it’s the rose pattern most likely to have still been available in 1966. A big 15 inch oval platter was available, but your 11 inch cake would likely spill over the sides in the short direction.

That leaves us with Orleans. Orleans was introduced in 1941 and continued production until 1950. Like Lexington, Orleans featured a red rose. But unlike Lexington’s squarish plates and platters, Orleans plates and platters were round. And the platters were made in 12 inch and 14 inches sizes. Your 11 inch cake might be a tight squeeze on the 12 inch platter but would easily fit the 14 inch platter. Like Lexington, the Orleans pattern was discontinued long before your 1966 wedding. But sizewise, of the red rose patterns made by Red Wing the Orleans 14 inch platter would certainly be the best fit for your cake. Could this be the platter you seek?

Larry