What is it that makes people
collect decorative plates? They are clearly marked in most cases “not for food
use”, so what use are they? They commemorate a subject that is of particular
relevance to the collector. Collectable plates come in a variety of subjects,
Transport, Royalty, Literature (Brambly Hedge, Beatrix Potter) and People, to
name but a few.
These plates are made by the
leading porcelain and china manufacturers such as Royal Doulton, Wedgwood and
Royal Worcester and then distributed by organisations such as Bradford Exchange
founded in 1973 by J Roderick MacArthur. http://www.bradford.co.uk/category/11133_collector-plates.html
The plates are provided as gifts
and then the collection begins. Manufactured to the highest quality and with
vibrant colours they become pieces of art replacing prints or photographs on
living room or hallway walls. When they are released to the market they are
widely publicised via Television, Newspaper and now adverts included in social
media. Dependent on the subject matter (for example the marriage of HRH Prince
Charles & Lady Diana Spencer), there is a market price which is around £40
- £150, some twenty years ago this would have been between £20 and £50. They are sold as a limited edition plates, normally limited to 2000.
The sad fact is that people
sometimes buy them as investments on the basis that, well they are collectable
and they will gain in value. Sadly this is never the case and most collectable
plates end up either in charity shops or car boot sales for pennies or at best
about a fiver.
The reality is it doesn’t matter,
the plates were bought to provide pleasure to someone and until the plates
become chipped or damaged, they will continue to provide pleasure at whatever
value or cost.
Please do not buy collectable
plates to make a fortune, buy them for the purpose they were designed, to bring
pleasure to someone.
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