by Julie Noyas | Jun 12, 2017 | Plates, Saucers, Tortes, & Tid Bits
Item Number: P-02
Diameter: 6½″
Production Dates: 1915-1943
The Fostoria American Finger Bowl Plate served as an underplate for the Finger Bowl. Many people today have never heard of using such a bowl or plate; however, in bygone years it was a custom that was used just prior to serving the dessert course. The original Finger Bowl Plate is featured in the 1915 Catalog Supplement, which is when it was first produced.
It has been published in one book on Fostoria American that two versions of the Finger Bowl Plate were produced – the old version that has a smooth edge (pictured in this post), and a newer version which has a serrated edge. Based on my research, I can not verify that statement. Searching through official Fostoria documentation and catalogs, I have not been able to document where Fostoria Glass used any other underplate for the Finger Bowl other than the one shown in this post. The “newer” version that some people refer to is simply an Ice Tea Plate.
The Finger Bowl Plate is easy to recognize if you look for three things – the edges, the center design, and the size. Being approximately 6½” in diameter, there is one distinguishing factor that I think is most important – the mould from which it came from. The Finger Bowl Plates were made from the same mould as the Finger Bowl. The Finger Bowl Plate is a flattened out Finger Bowl. Why is that important? Because, if you were to set the Finger Bowl on an authentic Finger Bowl Plate … and look straight down upon it, you would see the exact same center design mirrored against each other. The next time you are in the market to buy a Finger Bowl and Plate – simply take a look at their center design and see if they match up. If they do, you’re in luck!
Many times; however, the Finger Bowls are sold with other plates – like the Saucer or the Bread and Butter Plates. Educate yourself and learn the differences. As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Finger Bowl Plates on eBay.
by Julie Noyas | May 25, 2017 | Plates, Saucers, Tortes, & Tid Bits
Item Number: 554
Diameter: 10½″
Production Dates: 1915-1982
This is the Fostoria American 10½” Sandwich Plate, and it is a versatile piece to have in your collection. Since it is featured in Fostoria’s 1915 Catalog Supplement, we know – without a doubt – that it was produced in 1915 when Fostoria first introduced the American pattern. Three different sized Sandwich Plates were introduced at that time – the 9″, 10½”, and the 11½”.
The 9″ and 10½” Sandwich Plates
The 10½” Sandwich Plate had a long life and remained in the American line until approximately 1982. It had the longest production run of all the Sandwich Plates. After Fostoria Glass closed its factory, this piece was later reproduced by the Lancaster Colony Corporation.
An interesting fact about the Sandwich Plates is that they were used in two other Fostoria American pieces – the 10½” Handled Cake Tray, and the Tid Bit Set (with a metal handle). The plates that were used for the Handled Cake Tray and Tid Bit Sets were drilled, and had a hole in the center of the plate to accommodate the metal handle. The 10½” Sandwich Plate is the bottom plate that was used on both pieces, and the 9″ Sandwich Plate is the top plate on the Tid Bit Set.
Published books on Fostoria American have stated that the Sandwich Plates used for the Handled Cake Tray and the Tid Bit Sets had edges that flared up higher than edges on the regular Sandwich Plates. While I have seen this to be true on several pieces, I can attest that this summation is not always valid. My personal Handled Cake Tray (factory produced, not homemade drilled) has a flared plate edge of only 1-inch; however, some of my regular 10½” Sandwich Plates have flared edges measuring in at 1¼” or higher. These pieces were handmade, and with that comes size variations.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Sandwich Plates on eBay.
by Julie Noyas | May 20, 2017 | Plates, Saucers, Tortes, & Tid Bits
Item Number: 479
Diameter: 7″
Production Dates: 1938-1958 Cream Soup Plate; 1934-1973 Mayonnaise Plate
The plates that were used as underplates for the Mayonnaise and the Cream Soups are actually the same plate. The plates are described as being 7″ in size; however, my own personal pieces are closer to 7½″ in size. Please remember that these pieces were finished by hand, and slight variations in size are to be expected.
While this piece was known by two different names, the item number that was assigned by Fostoria was the same (479). Two variations of these plates were made. In order to keep the dishes from sliding around on the plates, one version of the plate has a raised retainer ring in the center. The second variation does not have a raised retainer ring; rather, it has a slight depression in the center of the plate.
The plates were eventually discontinued in the 1970s. The Mayonnaise Plate definitely adds a finishing touch when paired with the flat-bottom Mayonnaise – and when topped with a glass ladle, they make for a beautiful (and very functional) serving piece.
When the Cream Soup and the Cream Soup Plate are paired together, they also make for a beautiful duo. The Cream Soup dish is quite lovely, boasting gently curved handles on both sides of its flared shape. For a view of the item that sits on top of the Cream Soup Plate, please refer to the Cream Soup.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Cream Soup/Mayonnaise Plates on eBay.
by Julie Noyas | Apr 29, 2017 | Plates, Saucers, Tortes, & Tid Bits
Item Number: P-01
Length: 7½″
Production Dates: 1937-1944
The Crescent Salad Plate is a plate like no other. Uniquely formed, it instantly captures your attention. The American Salad Plates came in two formations – round, or crescent-shaped. The Crescent Salad Plate is approximately 7½” in length, and about 4½” wide. The top serrated edges flair upward (not sideways), giving the plate a nice side margin to hold the contents of a salad or other food item.
It is of my opinion that these plates should be stored carefully. Since the serrated edges flare upwards (and not to the sides as with the round salad plates) it is a plate that should not be stacked on top of one another. If space is limited – and you find that you have no alternative other than to stack them – make sure that you cushion each plate adequately in order to prevent any damage to the points.
The Crescent Salad Plate did not have a long production life, only being made from approximately 1937-1944. You can usually expect to pay more for the crescent-shaped plates versus the regular round plates.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Crescent Salad Plates on eBay.
by Julie Noyas | Apr 17, 2017 | Plates, Saucers, Tortes, & Tid Bits
Item Number: 553
Diameter: 9″
Production Dates: 1915-1974
This is the Fostoria American 9-inch Sandwich Plate, and it is a versatile piece to have in your collection. Since it is featured in Fostoria’s 1915 Catalog Supplement, we know – without a doubt – that it was produced in 1915 when Fostoria first introduced the American pattern. Three different sized Sandwich Plates were introduced at that time – the 9″, 10½”, and the 11½”. All of these plates bear a small center design.
Of all the plates that Fostoria produced in the American pattern (and there were quite a few of them), the Sandwich Plates remain one of my favorites. The reason is simple. I especially like the 9-inch plates, as they are neither too big nor too small when it comes to serving tea or a luncheon-type menu. I only serve sandwiches and other types of finger foods on them so that no knives or forks are ever needed. This philosophy has kept the plates in pristine condition, with no utensil marks of any kind. If I am hosting a big dinner event, then I would summon the larger Dinner Plates for service. For lunch or tea service, these 9-inch Sandwich Plates are beyond perfect!
The 9-inch Sandwich Plates were produced until the early 1970’s, and unlike the bigger 10½” Sandwich Plates, the 9-inch version was never reproduced by Lancaster Colony after they bought out Fostoria Glass.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Sandwich Plates on eBay.
by Julie Noyas | Apr 4, 2017 | Plates, Saucers, Tortes, & Tid Bits
Item Number: 549
Diameter: 7″
Production Dates: 1934-1985
The American pattern offered a variety of sizes and shapes when it came to Salad Plates. The Fostoria Glass Company also produced a large Salad Plate, and one of the main differences between the smaller (7″) and larger (8½”) Salad Plates – besides the size variation – is the center design of the plate. The larger Salad Plate has a large center; the smaller Salad Plate has a small center.
Many people often confuse the 7″ Salad Plates with the 6″ Bread and Butter Plates, even though there is definitely a size difference between them. Simply put, they look quite similar. Both plates have the small centers. With a quick glance, and not having a ruler or tape measure with you, it would be easy to confuse the two.
Luckily for us, the 7″ Salad Plates are still relatively easy to find. Just bear in mind, the sizes are approximate – as these pieces were handmade. Even though the Fostoria Glass Company described this particular Salad Plate as being 7″ in size, many plates were produced upwards to 7½” or more.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Salad Plates on eBay.
