Many close-up photos below.

Knoxville, Tennessee
Featuring: Governor Blount Mansion, Norris Dam, Ayres Hall, University of Tennessee, Henley Bridge, the Chimneys, Great Smokies, City Hall, Post Office Tennessee Marble, Henley Bridge, Chapman Highway, and more!

Vintage Collector's Plate
Approximately 10½" Diameter
Vernon Kilns Ultra Rim Edge Form
Maroon on White/Cream Background

Signed under glaze by
Frank Bowers
Renowned Vernon Kilns Artist
(Bowers was an artist on the set
of the classic movie
"Gone With The Wind")

Made by
Vernon Kilns
California Pottery
Los Angeles
ca. 1940s

This is a wonderful, vintage (circa 1940s) decorative collector's plate from Vernon Kilns California Pottery featuring scenes of historical Knoxville, Tennessee.

About Vernon Kilns. Vernon Kilns made collectors plates for hundreds of cities and states in the United States, some organizations and institutions, and some for foreign cities and countries. Vernon Kilns closed its doors permanently in the early 1950s.

According to Bill Stern (2001), Vernon Kilns was one of the well known "Big Five" of the Southern California Pottery group (p. 42, California Pottery: From Missions to Modernism). Please see Maxine Feek Nelson's Collectible Vernon Kilns: Identification and Value Guide for more information about Vernon Kilns California Pottery.

This plate depicts a variety of the well-known landmarks (please see photos below), including:

• Governor Blount Mansion
• The Chimneys, Great Smokies
• City Hall, 1848
• Post Office (Tennessee Marble)
• Norris Dam
• University of Tennessee (Ayres Hall)
• Henley Bridge, Chapman Highway

The back of the plate is inscribed under glaze with the wording:

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE
Founded Oct. 3, 1791
Gateway to the
Smokies

by
Vernon Kilns
U.S.A.

The vintage transfer plate has the Vernon Kilns "Ultra"-style rim with a pretty floral decor.

Condition.  The plate is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs.

... A highly desirable plate for Vernon Kilns collectors, California Pottery collectors, collectors of Knoxville and Tennessee memorabilia.
... Would make a thoughtful gift for the alumnus or alumna of the University of Tennessee.

Payment must be received within 3 days of auction close...

Always happy to combine shipping when safe to save you shipping costs.  

Please visit our Ebay store, DesertGold Store, for more Vernon Kilns pieces and other great finds, e.g., restaurant ware, EAPG, carnival glass, pottery, crystal, books, and the like!