Presidents and First Ladies Trivia

[L Verge]

While most of that set does not impress me (except for the small white dish with the grape design), I am envious of the oyster plates. Once upon a time, I decided I was going to collect those - then I turned the dish over and saw the price tag; a quick end to my desire!

I found this little tidbit on the Hayes set:

Some History of the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Plate
An excerpt from page 32 of the book 
Oyster Plates, by Vivian and Jim Karsnitz

“Many celebrities have had oyster plates made specifically for them, including America’s 19th president, Rutherford B. Hayes, who served from 1877-1881. He commissioned a state dining service for the White House, including oyster plates designed by Mr. Theodore R. Davis, an artist employed by Harper’s Weekly.

The set was made by the Haviland Company of Limoges, France. In this set, as well as other turkey plate sets of lesser value, five wells are surrounded by southern raccoon oysters which have the outsides of the shells showing. These shells form a pattern that resembles the outline of a turkey, so the plates are known as the ‘turkey oyster plates’ to collectors.

This plate was produced by Haviland after producing the White House china. The presidential set caused a stir among the public, with strong feelings running in support and in opposition. Mr. Davis patented his design on August 10, 1880. Because of the great expense incurred in making the White House china, he and Haviland sought to recover their expenses by selling similar sets to the public. These sets have the patent date on the backs along with the presidential eagle. The original presidential set does not. When this presidential set was made the cost was $3,120.00, a figure the congress felt was excessive.”

Today just one of these presidential turkey plates can bring the same amount as the entire set originally cost to produce.


If you want to have a "brief" look at some oyster plate designs (and their current prices), go to
http://www.virginia-antiques.com/oyster_plates There are at least six pages of individual plates and a final shot of part of the showroom at Kilmarnock Antiques in the Northern Neck of Virginia.