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1226
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1953 Homer Laughlin China Eggshell Nautilus Souvenir Plate, Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California
A neat vintage plate which we believe was a souvenir china item as it has a central labelled picture of Half Dome at Yosemite National Park in California (although it is not labelled on the underside as a souvenir). Made by Homer Laughlin in their Eggshell Nautilus pattern and marked on the underside with the "HLC" Homer Laughlin insignia plus "Eggshell Nautilus" followed by a half shell and then "U.S.A. L 53 N 5". The "L 53" indicates that this plate was produced in December 1953, with the "N 5" indicating the plant where it was made (but we don't know which that was).
Round dinner plate size, flaring slightly upwards to sit about 3/4 inch in height and measuring about 9 7/8 inches in diameter. Ivory colored base china (this plate is ceramic or pottery, not porcelain, as it is not translucent), with a central decor of the famous Half Dome mountain surrounded by forest done in gray, brown, blue and greens, with the "Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California" written in light gray script underneath. Surrounding this is an ornate scroll, curves and point design in gold followed by a pale green band and finished in a gold line outer edge trim. We've provided 5 images including close-ups of the central design, words and manufacturer marking. Please note that the white "hot spots" are reflections from the camera lighting on the high gloss surface.
Very nice overall condition, with no chips, cracks or crazing, but there are some flaws. There is some paint wear to the outer gold line edge trim, not very bad and mainly on the outmost edge. On the central graphic in a number of spots on the green trees it looks as if the transfer design was incompletely done as there are small white spots, varying in size. At first we didn't notice these and someone could miss them thinking they are sky or background showing through the trees, but on close inspection we can see that these are definitely incomplete transfer spots where the design missed or "bunched" in these areas. The plate feels smooth over these spots so we believe these are manufacturing irregularities that were later covered over by the final glazing layer (as opposed to damage done to the plate later). There are some minor scratches (visible only in bright light when held at an angle, nothing bad) on the top and bottom sides, stray transfer dots, and some flaking/wear to the underside base rim on which the plate sits, as expected given the age.
A nice older piece which would make a great addition to a collection of souvenir china or a general collection relating to national parks or Yosemite park in specific.
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