Last post introduced Westmoreland’s Beaded Edge glass, most often found in white decorated with fruit. This is a fun pattern you can use for lunch or dinner, with several plates, plus cups, saucers, small bowls, and some serving pieces.
Way back in 2001 I got a large set, about 8 place settings plus a few serving pieces, all decorated with fruits. I recall these sold quickly at about the going book price; of course this was before overall glass pricing declined in around 2005.
Back then eBay auctions were the only game in town and that’s how I sold my set, all pieces listed individually. Now of course we have eBay, Craigslist, Etsy, Replacements for online purchases.
Many sellers on eBay today have fruit-decorated salad plates; you can purchase individual plates or get a set of mixed fruit, and there are some with birds or flowers too. It looks like you could get all the fruit-decorated salad plates today. I see listings for the 6 inch bread and butter plate, 8 1/2 inch luncheon plate and some dinner plates too. Although considerably fewer of the other plates are listed today you could still get all or most of the different designs if you want.
Salad plate prices for each range from about $5 to about $15, including shipping depending on seller and how many plates are offered. My trusty Gene Florence book on post-depression glassware, published in 2008, suggests $12 per plate, so if salad plates are a benchmark the 2008 prices might be reasonable guidelines. Florence suggests $30 for dinner and $6 for bread and butter; the current eBay listings are mostly in that range.
The fun tumblers are also readily available on eBay, as are bowls, cups and saucers. I saw no sherbets and only a few creamers and sugars. Overall I’d judge this pattern is readily available from eBay sellers.
Replacements also has most of the place setting pieces available. It’s interesting that they are asking different prices for the same piece depending on the fruit. For example, luncheon plates vary from $10 to $18 depending on fruit. Their dinner plates are priced below most on eBay, $12 to $28.
If you prefer to purchase in person, be aware you may have a longer search (which means more antiquing trips, a good thing!) as this pattern has been elusive at antique malls or sales, at least for me.
Next post we’ll look at how this pattern can get damaged and some basic care tips.