How to waste a Friday afternoon

Last July I posted about finding three pieces of Homer Laughlin Eggshell Nautilus china in a thrift store and opening a new world of discovering this vintage line of china. Read the post

I have continued to look for pieces since then and was rewarded when I found three more pieces in an antique store in Goliad. Yes, they came home with me. One was from the Nautilus line and the other two were from the Virginia Rose line. I did some brief research on the exact patterns, but with no results. The thrill of the hunt completed the joy of a daytrip!

Now, it had been over 5 months since I had found any more pieces so I assumed it might be a while before I found anymore. Guess what? The very next day while visiting my favorite thrift store I was totally surprised to find a complete 12 place setting of Homer Laughlin Eggshell Georgian china. Twelve place settings ( including fruit bowls) with sugar bowl, creamer, covered casserole, gravy boat and saucer, two serving bowls, and two platters.

I made several pictures and came home to research the pattern and, if possible, find its value to determine if the thrift store price was a good price. A little research told me it was good and considering the quantity of pieces included in the set I felt it was a good value. I didn’t find the pattern, but I knew the set was destined for my ownership. I absolutely could not stop thinking about it!

Friday morning the set became mine and the dear ladies in the thrift store helped me box it up and load it in my car. It was fun and everyone was so helpful and, of course, I was beaming like a bright star! The thrill of the hunt!

After I got home and unpacked everything the first step was to inventory each item and determine the date code and manufacturing plant stamped on each piece. The newest pieces were dated 1950 with one piece from 1945 and several from 1948 and 1949. All pieces were made at plant #5.

From the date I knew the set was probably purchased in 1950, but after hours of searching I had no clue what the exact pattern was. Did I waste an afternoon? Yes. But I did find a lot of interesting information about the china. For example, this line of china was sold in Sears, Montgomery Ward, and other department stores in the 1930’s through 1950’s. Also, a set rarely had all the same stamp as pieces were mass produced and then picked at random from shelves for packing into sets.

So, when you are researching a china pattern does it matter if you waste a Friday afternoon? No. Absolutely not! Time well spent!

I’ll have more on this set and any updates on its identity in a future post, so stay tuned!